in the Imperial Government of Japan and adopt the advice of the latter in regard to improvements in administration.

ART II. The Imperial Government of Japan shall in a spirit of firm friendship ensure the safety and repose of the Imperial House of Corea. ART. III. The Imperial Government of Japan definitively guarantees the independence and territorial integrity of the Corean Empire.

ART. IV. In case the welfare of the Imperial House of Corea or the territorial integrity of Corea is endangered by aggression of a third power or internal disturbances, the Imperial Government of Japan shall immediately take such necessary measures as the circumstances require and in such cases the Imperial Government of Corea shall give full facilities to promote the action of the Imperial Japanese Government.

The Imperial Government of Japan may, for the attainment of the above-mentioned object, occupy, when the circumstances require it, such places as may be necessary from strategical points of view.

ART. V. The Governments of the two countries shall not in future, without mutual consent, conclude with a third Power such an arrangement as may be contrary to the principles of the present Protocol.

ART. VI. Details in connection with the present Protocol shall be arranged, as the circumstances may require, between the Representative of Japan and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Corea.

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

The 23rd day of the 2nd month of the 37th year of Meiji.

Major-General YE-TCHI-YONG [Seal] Minister of State for Foreign Affairs ad interim. The 23rd day of the 2nd month of the 8th year of Kwang-Mu.

Agreement between Japan and Korea, signed August 22, 1904 I. The Corean Government shall engage as financial adviser to the Corean Government a Japanese subject recommended by the Japanese Government,and all matters concerning finance shall be dealt with after his counsel being taken.

II. The Corean Government shall engage as diplomatic adviser to the Department of Foreign Affairs a foreigner recommended by the Japanese Government, and all important matters concerning foreign relations shall be dealt with after his counsel being taken.

III. The Corean Government shall previously consult the Japanese Government in concluding treaties and conventions with foreign powers,

and in dealing with other important diplomatic affairs, such as the grant of concessions to or contracts with foreigners.

HAYASHI GONSUKE, [Seal]

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

The 22nd day of the 8th month of the 37th year of Meiji.

Acting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The 22nd day of the 8th month of the 8th year of Kwang-Mu.

Agreement between Japan and Corea, signed April 1, 1905, regarding Communications Services

The Imperial Governments of Japan and Corea, finding it expedient from the standpoint of the administration and finances of Corea, to rearrange the system of communications in that country, and by amalgamating it with that of Japan, and, having seen the necessity, with that object in view, of transferring the post, telegraph and telephone services of Corea to the control of the Japanese Government, Hayashi Gonsuke, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Japan and I-hayeng, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Corea, each invested with proper authority, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:

ARTICLE I. The Imperial Government of Corea shall transfer and assign the control and administration of the post, telegraph and telephone service in Corea (except the telephone service exclusively pertaining to the Department of the Imperial Household) to the Imperial Japanese Government.

ART. II. The land, buildings, furniture, instruments, machines and all other appliances connected with the system of communications already established by the Imperial Government of Corea, shall by virtue of the present agreement, be transferred to the control of the Imperial Japanese Government.

The authorities of the two countries acting together shall make an inventory of the land, buildings and all other requisites mentioned in the preceding paragraph which shall serve as evidence in the future.

ART. III. When it is deemed necessary by the Japanese Government to extend the communication system in Corea, they may appropriate land and buildings belonging to the State or private persons; the former without compensation and the latter with proper indemnification.

ART. IV. In respect of the control of the communication service and the custody of the properties in connection therewith, the Japanese Government assume, on their own account, the responsibility of good administration.

The expenses required for the extension of the communication services. shall also be borne by the Imperial Government of Japan.

The Imperial Government of Japan shall officially notify the Imperial Government of Corea of the Financial condition of the system of communications under their control.

ART. V. All appliances and materials which are deemed necessary by the Imperial Government of Japan for the control or extension of the system of communication shall be exempt from all duties and imposts.

ART. VI. The Imperial Government of Corea shall be at liberty to maintain the present Board of Communication so far as such retention. does not interfere with the control and extension of the services by the Japanese Government.

The Japanese Government, in controlling and extending the services, shall engage as many Corean officials and employees as possible.

ART. VII. In respect of the arrangements formerly entered into by the Corean Government with Governments of foreign Powers concerning the post, telegraph and telephone services, the Japanese Government shall in behalf of Corea exercise the right and perform the obligations. pertaining thereto.

Should there arise in the future any necessity for concluding any new convention between the Government of Corea and the Governments of foreign Powers concerning the communication services, the Japanese Government shall assume the responsibilty of concluding such convention in behalf of the Corean Government.

ART. VIII. The various conventions and agreements respecting the communication services hitherto existing between the Governments of Japan and Corea are naturally abolished or modified by the present Agreement.

ART. IX. When in the future as the result of the general development of the communication system in Corea, there is some adequate profit over and above expenditures defrayed by the Japanese Government for the control and maintenance of the old services and for their extensions and improvements, the Japanese Government shall deliver to the Corean Government a suitable percentage of such profit.

ART. X. When in the future an ample surplus exists in the finances of the Corean Government, the control of their communication services

may be returned, as the result of the consultation of the two Governments, to the Government of Corea.

HAYASHI GONSUKE, [Seal]

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

The 1st day of the 4th month of the 38th year of Meiji.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The 1st day of the 4th month of the 9th year of Kwang-mu.

Agreement between Japan and Corea Signed November 17, 1905, by which Japan Assumed Charge of Foreign Relations of Corea

The Governments of Japan and Corea, desiring to strengthen the principle of solidarity which unites the two Empires, have with that object in view agreed upon and concluded the following stipulations to serve until the moment arrives when it is recognized that Corea has attained national strength.

ARTICLE I. The Governments of Japan, through the Deparment of Foreign Affairs at Tokyo, will hereafter have control and direction of the external relations and affairs of Corea, and the diplomatic and consular representatives of Japan will have charge of the subjects and interests of Corea in foreign countries.

ART. II. The Government of Japan undertakes to see to the execution of the treaties actually existing between Corea and other Powers, and the Government of Corea engages not to conclude hereafter any act or engagement having an international character except through the medium of the Government of Japan.

ART. III. The Government of Japan shall be represented at the Court of His Majesty the Emperor of Corea by a Resident General, who will reside at Seoul, primarily for the purpose of taking charge of and directing matters relating to diplomatic affairs. He shall have the right of private and personal audience of His Majesty the Emperor of Corea. The Japanese Government shall also have the right to station Residents at the several open ports and such other places in Corea as they may deem necessary. Such Residents shall, under the direction of the Resident General, exercise the powers and functions hitherto appertaining to Japanese Consuls in Corea and shall perform such duties as may be necessary in order to carry into full effect the provisions of this Agreement.

The stipulations of all Treaties and Agreements existing between Japan and Corea, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, shall continue in force.

ART. V. The Government of Japan undertakes to maintain the welfare and dignity of the Imperial House of Corea.

In faith whereof, the Undersigned duly authorized by their Governments have signed this Agreement and affixed their seals.

HAYASHI GONSUKE, [Seal]

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

The 17th day of the 11th month of the 38th year of Meiji.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The 17th day of the 11th month of the 9th year of Kwang-Mu.

Imperial Ordinance No. 267. Organization of the Residency-General and Residencies. (Promulgated December 20, 1905.)

ARTICLE I. A Residency-General shall be established at Seoul, Corea. ART. II. A Resident-General shall be appointed to the ResidencyGeneral.

The Resident-General shall be of Shinnin rank.

The Resident-General shall be under the direct command of the Emperor. In regard to diplomatic affairs he shall make representations to His Imperial Majesty, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister President of State, and he shall receive Imperial sanctions and commands through the Minister President of State and the Minister for for Foreign Affairs. In regard to all other matters, the representations, sanctions and commands as aforesaid shall pass through the hands of the Minister President of State only.

ART. II. The Resident-General shall represent the Imperial Japanese Government in Corea and shall exercise general control over all matters relative to the foreign Consulates and foreigners in Corea excepting such matters as may pass through the hands of the foreign Representatives resident in Japan. He shall also have control of such administrative affairs of Corea as relate to foreigners.

The Resident-General shall have control of all political affairs, which are, in accordance with the treaties and conventions, to be administered by the Imperial and public authorities of Japan in Corea and he shall also be charged with all other affairs of control which have hitherto appertained to the Imperial authorities.

ART. IV. The Resident-General may, when he deems it necessary for