84. ALLEMAGNE, ETHIOPIE. Traité d'amitié et de commerce; signé à Adis Abeba, le 7 mars 1905.*) Reichsgesetzblatt No. 25. Berlin 1906. Seine Majestät Wilhelm II., Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preussen, im Namen des Deutschen Reichs und Seine Majestät Menelek II., König der Könige von Äthiopien, von dem Wunsche geleitet, die Beziehungen der beiden Reiche dauernd freundschaftlich zu gestalten und den Handelsverkehr zwischen den beiderseitigen Staatsangehörigen zu erleichtern, sind übereingekommen, zur Erreichung dieser Zwecke einen Vertrag abzuschliessen. Demgemäss haben Seine Majestät der Deutsche Kaiser, König von Preussen, durch seinen Gesandten in ausserordentlicher Mission Dr. Friedrich Rosen, dessen Vollmachten in guter und gehöriger Form befunden worden sind, Seine Majestät der Kaiser Menelek, in eigenem Namen als König der Könige von Äthiopien handelnd, die nachstehenden Bestimmungen vereinbart, welche für sie selbst sowie für ihre Erben und Nachfolger bindend sein sollen. Artikel I. Die Angehörigen und Schutzgenossen eines jeden der vertragschliessenden Staaten sollen volle Freiheit des Aufenthalts, der Reise, des Handels und Gewerbes in den Gebieten des anderen Staates geniessen. Artikel II. Jeder der vertragschliessenden Staaten sichert den Angehörigen und Schutzgenossen des anderen Staates, welche sich in seinem Gebiet aufhalten, Sicherheit der Person und des Eigentums zu. Artikel III. Jeder der vertragschliessenden Staaten gewährt den Angehörigen und Schutzgenossen des anderen Staates alle Rechte, Vorteile und Privilegien, welche er den Angehörigen eines dritten Staates insbesondere auch in Ansehung der Zölle, inneren Abgaben und Gerichtsbarkeit zugestanden hat oder in Zukunft zugestehen wird. Artikel IV. Den Angehörigen des Deutschen Reichs und den Schutzgenossen soll das Recht zustehen, die in Abessinien befindlichen Telegraphenlinien, Post *) Ratifié. einrichtungen und alle sonstigen Verkehrsmittel zu denselben Bedingungen und Gebührensätzen wie die Einheimischen oder die Angehörigen eines dritten Staates zu benutzen. Artikel V. Jeder der beiden vertragschliessenden Teile kann im Lande des anderen Teiles beglaubigte Vertreter bestellen, die an solchen Plätzen residieren sollen, wo Handels- oder sonstige Interessen ihre Anwesenheit nötig oder wünschenswert erscheinen lassen, dabei aber auch das Recht haben, jeden Teil des Landes zu jeder Zeit aufzusuchen. Artikel VI. Der gegenwärtige Vertrag soll von dem Tage des Inkrafttretens an 10 Jahre lang in Geltung bleiben. Wenn weder der eine noch der andere der beiden Teile 12 Monate vor Ablauf dieser Frist durch eine amtliche Erklärung seine Absicht ankündigt, die Wirksamkeit des Vertrags aufhören zu lassen, so wird derselbe für ein weiteres Jahr in Geltung bleiben und so fort bis zum Ablauf eines Jahres, nachdem die erwähnte Ankündigung stattgefunden haben wird. Der gegenwärtige Vertrag soll in Kraft treten einen Monat nach dem Tage, an welchem die Ratifikation durch die Deutsche Regierung Seiner Majestät dem Kaiser von Äthiopien mitgeteilt worden sein wird. Urkundlich dessen haben Seine Majestät Menelek II., König der Könige von Äthiopien, im Namen seines Reichs, und der Kaiserlich Deutsche Gesandte Dr. Friedrich Rosen für Seine Majestät den Deutschen Kaiser, König von Preussen, diesen Vertrag in zwei gleichlautenden Exemplaren in deutscher und amharischer Sprache unterzeichnet und ihre Siegel beigedrückt. So geschehen zu Adis Abeba, den 7. März im Jahre des Heils 1905 (nach äthiopischer Zeitrechnung den 28. Yekatit 1897). 85. GRANDE-BRETAGNE, AFGHANISTAN. Traité concernant la situation politique de l'Afghanistan du 21 mars 1905 et correspondance y relative. Publication officielle. London 1905. Letter from Mr. Griffin to Sirdar Abdur Rahman Khan, dated 14th June, 1880. My friend, I have received your letter of the 16th May by the hand of Sirdar Ibrahim Khan, Sirdar Bahadoor, who arrived at Kabul on the 23rd May, and have fully understood its friendly sentiments, and the desire which it expresses for a cordial understanding between the British Government and yourself. This letter, together with the memorandum of the members of the Mission, which was shown to you before despatch, and which mentioned certain matters regarding which you desired further information, has been laid before His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India; and I am now commanded to convey to you the replies of the Government of India to the questions which you have asked. Firstly. With regard to the position of the ruler of Kabul to foreign Powers, since the British Government admit no right of interference by foreign powers in Afghanistan, and since both Russia and Persia are pledged to abstain from all political interference with Afghanistan affairs, it is plain that the Kabul ruler can have no political relations with any foreign Power except the English; and if any such Power should attempt to interfere in Afghanistan, and if such interference should lead to unprovoked aggression on the Kabul ruler, then the British Government will be prepared to aid him if necessary, to repel it, provided that he follows the advice of the British Government in regard to his external relations. Secondly. With regard to limits of territory, I am directed to say that the whole province of Kandahar has been placed under a separate ruler, except Pishin and Sibi, which are retained in British possession. Consequently the Government is not able to enter into any negotiations with you on these points, nor in respect to arrangements with regard to the North-Western Frontier, which were concluded with the ex-Amir Muhammad Yakub Khan. With these reservations the British Government are willing that you should establish over Afghanistan-including Herat, the possession of which cannot be guaranteed to you, though Government are not disposed to hinder measures which you may take to obtain possession of it as complete and extensive authority as has been hitherto exercised by any Amir of your family. The British Government desires to exercise no interference in your internal government of these territories, nor will you be required to admit an English Resident anywhere; although, for convenience of ordinary friendly intercourse between two contiguous States, it may be advisable to station, by agreement, a Muhammadan Agent of the British Government at Kabul. If you should, after clearly understanding the wishes and intentions of the British Government, as stated in former letters and now further explained, desire these matters to be stated in a formal writing, it is necessary that you should first intimate plainly your acceptance or refusal of the invitation of the British Government, and should state your proposals for carrying into effect friendly arrangements. Sirdar Wazirzada Muhammad Afzal Khan has been ordered to leave Khabad within five days after receipt of this letter, as it is necessary to understand from him, by word of mouth, the position of affairs, and your wishes and sentiments. Should your reply be sent by his hand, it will prevent delay and accelerate the conclusion of final arrangements, and consequently the Government trusts that you will be able to make use of his agency. Letter from Sirdar Abdur Rahman Khan to Mr. Griffin, The kind letter, sent by the hand of Taj Muhammad Khan, telling me of your welfare and friendship, arrived on the 11th Rajab (20th June), and caused me great pleasure. What was the wish and object of myself and people you yourself have kindly granted. Regarding the boundaries of Afghanistan which were settled by treaty with my most noble and respected grandfather, Amir Dost Muhammad, these you have granted to me. And the Envoy which you have appointed in Afghanistan you have dispensed with, but what you have left to (be settled according to) my wish is, that I may keep a Mussulman Ambassador, if I please. This was my desire and that of my people, and this you have kindly granted. About my friendly relations and communication with Foreign Powers, you have written that I should not have any without advice and consultation with you (the British). You should consider well that if I have the friendship of a great Government like yours, how can I communicate with another Power without advice from and consultation with you? I agree to this also. You have also kindly written that should any unwarranted (improper) attack be made by any other Power on Afghanistan, you will under all circumstances afford me assistance; and you will not permit any other person to take possession of the territory of Afghanistan. This also is my desire, which you have kindly granted. As to what you have written about Herat. Herat is at present in the possession of my cousin. So long as he does not oppose me, and remains friendly with me, it is better that I should leave my cousin in Herat, rather than any other man. Should he oppose me, and not listen to my words (advice) or those of my people, I will afterwards let you know. Everything shall be done as we both deem it expedient and advisable. All the kindness you have shown is for my welfare and that of my people, how should I not accept it? You have shown very great kindness to me and my people. I have written and sent letters containing full particulars to all the tribes of Afghanistan, and I have given copies of these papers to Sirdar Muhammad Afzal Khan, for transmission to you; and I have also communicated verbally to Afzal Khan certain matters. Three days after this I will give him leave to start. Consider me also, the slave of the threshold of God, as having already arrived at Parwan. Send me back a verbal reply by Muhammad Afzal Khan, so that he may reach me on the road wherever I may be. Dated 13th Rajab. (P. S. In Abdur Rehman's own hand.) I have signed this and sealed this envelope with wax. In this letter, and the former letters, all is written by the same hand, and there is no alteration (erasure) anywhere. Letter from Mr. Griffin to His Highness Sirdar Abdur Rahman Khan, Amir of Kabul, dated July, 1880." After compliments. His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General in Council has learnt with pleasure that your Highness has proceeded toward Kabul, in accordance with the invitation of the British Government. Therefore, in consideration of the friendly sentiments by which your Highness is animated, and of the advantage to be derived by the Sirdars and people from the establishment of a settled government under your Highness's authority, the British Government recognises your Highness as Amir of Kabul. I am further empowered, on the part of the Viceroy and GovernorGeneral of India, to inform your Highness that the British Government has no desire to interfere in the internal government of the territories in the possession of your Highness, and has no wish that an English Resident should be stationed anywhere within those territories. For the convenience of ordinary friendly intercourse, such as is maintained between two adjoining States, it may be advisable that a Muhammadan Agent of the British Government should reside, by agreement, at Kabul. Your Highness has requested that the views and intentions of the British Government with regard to the position of the ruler at Kabul in relation to Foreign Powers, should be placed on record for your Highness's information. The Viceroy and Governor-General in Council authorises me to declare to you that since the British Government admits no right of interference by Foreign Powers within Afghanistan, and since both Russia and Persia are pledged to abstain from all interference with the affairs of |