obligation for a corresponding period; the Russian Government will, as a matter of course, take similar action.

"At the expiration of the term of three years above mentioned His Britannic Majesty's Government will, if necessary, consult with the Russian Government as to the desirability of any ulterior measures with regard to scientific expeditions to Thibet."

I avail, &c.

M. l'Ambassadeur,

Inclosure 3 in No. 2.

M. Iswolsky to Sir A. Nicolson.

ST. PETERSBURGH, August 18 (31), 1907. In reply to your Excellency's note of even date, I have the honour to declare that the Imperial Russian Government think it desirable, so far as they are concerned, not to allow, unless by a previous agreement with the British Government, for a period of three years from the date of the present communication, the entry into Thibet of any scientific mission whatever.

Like the British Government, the Imperial Government propose to approach the Chinese Government with a view to induce them to accept a similar obligation for a corresponding period.

It is understood that at the expiration of the term of three years the two Governments will, if necessary, consult with each other as to the desirability of any ulterior measures with regard to scientific expeditions to Thibet.

PROTOCOL PROVIDING FOR A GENERAL CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICS OF COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA, SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 17, 1907.

We, the representatives of the five Central American Republics, having met in the city of Washington at the instance of their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States in order to devise the means of preserving the good relations among

said Republics and of bringing about permanent peace in those countries, and for the purpose of establishing bases conducive to the attainment of such ends, being duly authorized by our respective governments, have agreed to the following:

ARTICLE I.

Following a formal invitation which, as is understood, is to be made simultaneously to each of the five Central American Republics by Their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States, a Conference of the plenipotentiaries to be appointed for the purpose by the governments of the said Republics, viz, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, shall meet during the first fifteen days of November next in the City of Washington for the purpose of discussing the steps to be taken and the measures to be adopted in order to adjust any differences which may exist among said Republics or any of them, and for the purpose of con-. cluding a treaty which shall determine their general relations.

ARTICLE II.

Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Central American Republics shall invite Their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States to appoint, if they deem proper, their respective representatives to lend their good and impartial offices in a purely friendly way towards the realization of the objects of the Conference.

ARTICLE III.

Until the Conference meets and accomplishes the lofty mission devolving upon it, the five Central American Republics, to-wit, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, agree to maintain peace and good relations among one another and they respectively assume the obligation not to commit or allow to be committed any act which might disturb their mutual tranquillity. To this end they shall refrain from an armed demonstration on their respective frontiers and shall withdraw their naval forces to their territorial waters.

ARTICLE IV.

If any unforeseen question should unfortunately arise among any of the said Republics pending the meeting of the Conference, and if it should be impossible to adjust it by the friendly means of diplomacy, it

is mutually agreed that the parties concerned shall submit the difference to the good counsels of His Excellency the President of the United States of America, or of the President of the United Mexican States or of both Presidents jointly, according to circumstances and in conformity with the agreement to be concluded for the purpose.

Signed in Washington, the seventeenth day of the month of September, one thousand nine hundred and seven.

J. B. CALVO,

F. MEJIA,

LUIS TOLEDO HERRARTE,
ANGEL UGARTE,

LUIS F. COREA.

ACT OF DOMINICAN CONGRESS AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE TO ISSUE AND SELL $20,000,000 BONDS.

[From “Gaceta Oficial," September 18, 1907.]

The National Congress.

In the Name of the Republic.

On the Initiative of the Executive Power.

URGENCY DECLARED.

In exercise of the power conferred upon it by Article 23 of the Political Constitution of the State, and to the end that all the provisions of the Convention celebrated between the Republic and the United States of America on February 8, 1907, and approved by this High Body on May 3 of the same year, may be complied with and to provide for the execution, issue and sale of the bonds therein mentioned: and in view of the Decree which declares the loan for which the issue and sale of bonds is provided to be of public utility,

RESOLVES:

Article 1. To authorize the Executive Power to issue and sell, through the Secretary of Finance and Commerce, in such form and denominations, and upon such terms as it may deem best for the interests of the Republic, secured by the Convention above mentioned, and by the import

and export duties collected in the Republic, in accordance with the provisions thereof, bonds of the Republic to a total not exceeding twenty million dollars gold of the United States of America at the present standard of weight and fineness, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, in like gold coin, amortizable in fifty years and redeemable after the expiration of ten years, at one hundred two and one half of their face value, and requiring the payment of at least one per cent per annum for amortization, under such regulations as the said Secretary of Finance and Commerce may prescribe.

Paragraph 1. Both the bonds and the interest thereon shall be exempt from the payment of all taxes or duties now or hereafter established by the Republic.

Paragraph 2. The bonds issued shall conform to the provisions of the Convention of February 8, 1907, approved by this High Body on May 3 of the same year, and shall contain such provisions as the Secretary of Finance may prescribe, and each bond shall bear a certificate in such. form and containing such provisions as the said Secretary of Finance and Commerce may prescribe and which shall be executed by him or by the Fiscal Agent, and which shall authenticate such bonds as bonds issued by virtue of the provisions of the said Convention.

Article 2. These bonds or the proceeds thereof shall be applied by the Executive Power to the objects mentioned in the Convention.

Article 3. The Executive Power is also authorized to appoint a Depositary, an Agent and Registrar of transfers and a Fiscal Agent, to act in connection with the issue and sale of the bonds and with the receipt and distribution of the proceeds of the said sale, with the adjustment and settlement of the debts, claims and concessions, and with the service of the loan, in accordance with the provisions of the said Convention.

Paragraph. The same company, bank or firm of private bankers may act as Depositary, Agent and Registrar of transfers, and Fiscal Agent or these duties may be entrusted to different agents as the Executive Power may deem best, which shall prescribe the powers and duties of each, and pay or agree to pay for their services such remuneration as it may deem best, provided that the remuneration of the Depositary shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the total sum which may be paid to the holders of indebtedness or claims against the Republic, or concessions, who may have accepted the proposed adjustment, or reserved for the payment of debts, claims and concessions of the holders who may not have accepted it, in addition to the expenses incurred by such depositary in acting as such: nor more than $250 per annum to the Agent and Regis

trar of transfers, nor more than fifty cents to the Fiscal Agent for each certificate of authenticity that he may issue for each bond, nor more than ten thousand dollars per annum for the incidental expenses incurred by such Fiscal Agent for the service of the loan.

The Executive Power is also authorized to pay from the proceeds of said bonds, the sum necessary to cover the expense of preparing, issuing and disposing of the same.

This Resolution is effective against any other law, decree or resolution that may conflict with it.

Transmit to the Executive Power for constitutional ends.

Done in the Palace of the National Congress the 16th day of September, 1907: 64th year of the Independence and 45th of the Restoration. The President: RAMON O. LOVATON.

The Secretaries: A. ACEVEDO. C. A. NOUEL.

Let it be executed, communicated by the Corresponding Department, published in all the territory of the Republic that it may be observed. Done in the National Palace of Santo Domingo, Capital of the Republic, the 17th day of September, 1907: 64th year of the Independence and 45th of the Restoration.

Regulations concerning the expulsion of foreigners from the national territory.

The President of the Republic of the United States of Brazil:

I make known that the National Congress has decreed and I sanction the following resolution:

Art. 1. The foreigner who, for whatever motive, should compromise the national safety or public tranquillity, may be expelled from a part or the whole of the national territory.

Art. 2. Are also sufficient causes for expulsion: