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as defined by French law, he has renounced his status as a French citizen and proved that he has retained the nationality of his parents, by means of a certificate in due form from his Government, which shall remain annexed to the declaration, and unless he has further produced, if there is occasion, a certificate, showing that he has obeyed the call to arms according to the military law of his country, without prejudice to the exceptions stipulated in Treaties."

The status of a British subject, born in France, whose father was also born in France, is therefore altered, as under the Law of the 16th December, 1874, hitherto in force, such persons have been allowed to claim British nationality. This they are unable to do under the new Law.

The status of a British subject born in France, whose father was not born in France, is also altered in this respect, that whereas under the old Law he was not a French citizen, he will become so irrevocably under the new Law, if he fails to make a declaration of alienage in due time.

2. The new Law further provides (clause 1, modifying Article 9 of the Code Civil), that

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Any person born in France of a foreigner becomes French if having been borne on the recruiting roll he takes part in recruiting operations, without alleging that he is an alien."

3. Another point in the new Law of great importance to some British subjects is contained in that part of clause 1 which modifies Article 13 of the Code Civil:

"A foreigner who has been authorized by Decree to fix his domicile (domicile ') in France shall enjoy all civil rights there. The effect of the authorization shall cease on the expiration of five years if the foreigner does not demand naturalization, or if such demand be refused."

In the final temporary clause the following passage also

Occurs:

"Every admission to domicile obtained antecedently to the present Law becomes null and void unless within a period of five years, reckoned from the promulgation of the Law, it has been followed by a demand for naturalization, or if such demand has been refused."

Under the previously existing Regulations persons who desire to engage in tuition in French schools, or other occupations necessitating a fixed residence in France, are required to obtain the "admission à domicile."

Henceforth under the new Law such persons, if they wish to continue in the exercise of their calling in France will apparently be compelled to apply for French naturalization.

* Vol. LXVI, page 940.

As regards the making of declarations of British nationality for the purpose of escaping conscription, an assurance has been received from the French Government that the previously existing practice will hold good for those British subjects who will still be in a position to make such declarations, viz., those born in France of a father born elsewhere than in France, and such persons should apply to the nearest British Consul.

British subjects born in France of a father also born in France will no longer be able to make these declarations.

The new Law is applicable to children born under the old Law who are still minors, and the position of those persons who, before the passing of the new Law, have made declarations of alienage which, although in conformity of the old Law, are not consistent with the new one, will not be affected, as the new Law will not have the effect of annulling declarations made in proper form before its promulgation.

These changes result from recent alterations in French law, and will seriously affect the position of the persons specified so long as they are in French territory. But, of course, they have no effect whatever upon the position of such persons unless they are in French territory.

BRITISH NOTIFICATION respecting the coming into force of the French Law of April 2, 1889,* reserving to French Vessels the Navigation between France and Algeria.London, June 18, 1891.†

Foreign Office, June 18, 1891. INFORMATION received from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris shows that the French Law of the 2nd April, 1889, providing that the navigation between France and Algeria shall only be carried on under the French flag, will come into force as regards the ships of all foreign nations on the 1st February, 1892, the date on which the existing Commercial Treaties between France and Belgium and Spain will expire.

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ACT of the Government of Newfoundland, intituled "An Act for the purpose of carrying into effect engagements with France respecting Fisheries in Newfoundland." [No. 16.]

[May 30, 1891.] WHEREAS by Treaties and Declarations entered into and exchanged between the Kings of Great Britain and France, certain engagements were made and declared relative to Newfoundland and the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and in relation to the fisheries on a part of the coast of Newfoundland, which Treaties and Declarations are as follows:

Article XIII of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), as follows:

[See Vol. I, page 420.]

Articles V and VI of the Treaty of Paris (1763), as follows:[See Vol. I, page 422.]

Articles IV, V, and VI of the Treaty of Versailles (1783), as follows:

[See Vol. I, page 424.]

The following Declaration made by His Britannic Majesty upon the signing of the Treaty of Versailles :

[See Vol. I, page 425.]

The following Counter-Declaration of His Most Christian Majesty the King of France, made at the same time :

[See Vol. I, page 426.]

Articles VIII and XIII of the Treaty of Paris (1814), as follows::

[See Vol. I, pages 160 and 162.]

Article XI of the Treaty of Paris (1815), as follows:

[See Vol. III, page 291.]

And whereas differences have arisen between Her Majesty the Queen and the Government of the Republic of France respecting the rights of the citizens of the Republic of France as to the catching and canning of lobsters on the said portion of the coast of Newfoundland, and the erection of factories or buildings for that purpose, and an Agreement has been made between the High Contracting Parties for the submission to arbitration of the said differences, which Agreement is as follows:

[See page 415]

And whereas the said High Contracting Parties have agreed to extend for the fishery season of 1891 the modus vivendi agreed to in 1890, which was as follows:

[See Vol. LXXXII, page 993.]

Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Legislative Council, and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened :

1. In case Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, by advice of her or their Council, shall give orders or instructions to the Governor of Newfoundland, or to any officer or officers on that station, which she or they deem necessary and proper to fulfil the purposes of the said Treaties, Declarations, and Agreements, and to that end shall give orders and instructions to the Governor or officer or officers aforesaid, to remove or cause to be removed any stages, flakes, train fats, or other works whatever, for the purpose of carrying on the fishery erected by Her Majesty's subjects on that part of the coast of Newfoundland which lies between Cape St. John, passing to the north and descending to, the western coast of the said island to the place called Cape Raye, and also all ships, vessels, and boats belonging to Her Majesty's subjects which shall be found within the limits aforesaid; and also in case of refusal to depart from within the limits aforesaid, to compel any of Her Majesty's subjects to depart from thence, any law, custom, or usage to the contrary notwithstanding; any acts done by the said Governor, or officer or officers, in pursuance of such orders or instructions as aforesaid shall be lawful, and no action, suit, or other proceeding shall be brought or maintained in respect of the same.

2. In case Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, by advice of her or their Council, shall give orders or instructions to the said Governor, or officer or officers, which she or they deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out or enforcing the said modus vivendi during the fishery season of 1891, or any continuation thereof pending the arbitration aforesaid, and for the purpose of giving effect to the decision in said arbitration, any acts done by the said Governor, or officer or officers, in pursuance of such orders or instructions shall be lawful, and no action, suit, or other proceeding shall be maintained in respect of the same.

3. If any person shall refuse, upon requisition made by the said Governor, or officers lawfully acting in pursuance of such orders or instructions as aforesaid, to conform to such requisition and directions as the said Governor or officers shall lawfully make or give for the purpose aforesaid, such person so offending shal! forfeit the sum of 200 dollars; provided always that every such suit or prosecution shall be commenced within one year from the commission of such offeuce.

4. This Act may be cited as "The Newfoundland French Treaties Act," and shall continue in force only until the end of 1893, and no longer.

BRITISH ORDER IN COUNCIL, approving Orders and Instructions to Her Majesty's Naval Officers respecting the Newfoundland Fisheries.- Windsor, June 23, 1891.

At the Court at Windsor, the 23rd day of June, 1891. PRESENT: THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL.

WHEREAS there was this day read at the Board a letter from the Right Honourable Lord Knutsford, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, transmitting the draft of Orders and Instructions to the naval officers on the coast of Newfoundland, under the powers vested in Her Majesty by an Act passed by the Legislature of that Colony in 1891, entitled " An Act for the purpose of carrying into effect engagements with France respecting fisheries in Newfoundland:"

Her Majesty, having taken into consideration the said Orders and Instructions (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed), was pleased, by and with the advice of her Privy Council, to approve the same, and to order that they be forthwith carried into effect.

And the Right Honourable Lord Knutsford, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary 'directions herein accordingly.

C. L. PEEL.

Orders und Instructions to the Naval Officers on the Coast of Newfoundland given under the Powers vested in Her Majesty by the Newfoundland French Treaties Act passed in 1891 by the Legislature of Newfoundland.

I. The most important duty intrusted to naval officers on the coast of Newfoundland is in relation to the French fishery, and their attention is called to the following Treaties, Conventions, and Acts of Parliament, &c., which bear upon that fishery, viz. :

1. Article XIII, Treaty of Utrecht, 31st March, 11th April, 1713, in Vol. 1, page 236, "Hertslet's Treaties."

* Vol. I, page 420.

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