From Point B up to the River Amidu (Amidou), the boundaryline runs to the right of the roadway. At this river it crosses to 200 metres to the left of the roadway, following it up to the point where such roadway is intersected by the River Itu (Itou). From thence the boundary follows the course of this river until it meets the River Buru (Bourou). It then follows the River Buru up to a point 200 metres beyond the bridge which spans it on the road from Ilimon.

Isale (Issale) and Ilimon (Illemon) belong to the Colony of Dahomey.

Isuku (Isouko) and Asa (Aso) to the Colony of Lagos.

From thence the boundary-line runs at a distance of 200 metres to the left of and parallel with the roadway, which, passing Ishada (Ichada), Mokofi (Ibokofi), Ibeyan (Ibiyan), and Tobolo (Tobolo) all of which belong to Lagos Colony, cuts the River Iguna (Gauna) exactly on the meridian.

The boundary then follows the meridian up to a point 200 metres south of the road from Ketu to Idofa by Alagbe. From thence the boundary-line runs parallel with the road leading to ldofa viâ Alagbe at a distance of 200 metres on the right of the road as far as the River Yewa (Yéoua).

The boundary-line then ascends the Yewa River up to a point 200 metres below the river's intersection with the road from Idanyin proceeding north; Idofa (Idofa) and Meko (Méko) belonging to Lagos Colony.

Ilikimo (Likimon), Idanyin (Idanhim), Idjalu (Idjalou), and Iselu (Selou) belonging to the Colony of Dahomey.

From thence the boundary-line runs parallel with, at a distance of 200 metres to the right of it, the above-mentioned road up to where the road crosses the Okpara River.

Less than 100 metres from this crossing, on the right bank of the river, a cairn of stones in the shape of a pyramid was erected to distinguish the spot where lunar transit observations were taken.

The boundary-line then follows the thalweg of the Okpara River up to the 9th parallel.

To denote the 9th parallel an ostensible cross was cut on a large-sized tree, on the right bank of the river, facing the pathway.

Generally speaking, where the boundary-line runs parallel with a roadway, it does so at a distance of 200 metres either to the right or to the left of it.

In all cases where a river is denoted as the frontier, the thalweg of such river will form the boundary-line.

In addition to the above proposals, the Commissioners recommend that both the English and French spelling of native names

appear on the printed maps, thus avoiding the possibility of future discussion.

The detailed outline of the boundary has been marked on both maps.

It is with the liveliest satisfaction that the Commissioners, in ending their task, can testify to the complete harmony and cordial relations which did not cease to exist between the two Sections during the work of the Commission.

Paris, the 12th October, 1896.

F. C. FULLER, British Commissioner.

JAMES PLÉ, Capitaine d'Infanterie de Marine,
Chef de la Section Française.

NOTES exchanged between Great Britain and France, relating to the simultaneous Evacuation of Territories referred to in the Convention of June 14, 1898* (Possessions in the region of the Niger).-Paris, June 14, 1898.

M. LE MINISTRE,

Sir E. Monson to M. Hanotaux.

Paris, June 14, 1898. WITH reference to the Convention signed this day, and in conformity with instructions received from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to propose to your Excellency, with the object of avoiding difficulties which might arise between the British and French forces now stationed in the districts referred to in the said Couvention, that the two Governments should proceed mutually, without prejudice to their respective rights, to the immediate and simultaneous evacuation of the territories which, falling, in virtue of this same Convention, in the sphere of one of the Contracting Parties, should be at the present moment occupied by the troops of the other.

If your Excellency is prepared to accept this proposal, and give me an assurance to this effect, orders will be immediately sent by Her Britannic Majesty's Government that, as far as concerns it, the operation in question should take place without delay.

M. Hanotaux.

I have, &c.,

EDMUND MONSON.

M. Hanotaux to Sir E. Monson.

M. L'AMBASSADEUR, Paris, le 14 Juin, 1898. SE référant à la Convention conclue en date de ce jour, et par une lettre également de ce jour, votre Excellence a bien voulu, suivant les instructions du Gouvernement Britannique, me proposer, en vue d'éviter les difficultés qui pourraient naître entre les troupes Françaises et Anglaises stationnées dans les régions visées par la dite Convention, de procéder, sans préjudice des droits respectifs des deux nations, à l'évacuation immédiate et simultanée des territoires qui, tombant en vertu de cette même Convention dans la sphère de l'une des Parties Contractantes, seraient à l'heure actuelle occupés par les troupes de l'autre.

Votre Excellence ajoutait que si cette proposition était acceptée et que si une assurance dans ce sens était donnée au Gouvernement

Page 38,

Britannique, des ordres seraient immédiatement envoyés par ses soins, afin que, pour ce qui le concerne, l'opération dont il s'agit soit effectuée sans retard.

J'ai l'honneur d'informer votre Excellence que, dans les conditions et sous les réserves spécifiées dans sa communication, le Gouvernement Français adhère à la proposition précitée et que des ordres seront immédiatement donnés afin que les mesures d'exécution qu'elle comporte soient prises sans retard.

Sir E. Monson.

Agréez, &c.,

G. HANOTAUX.

NOTES exchanged between Great Britain and France, respecting the Removal of Restrictions on French Commerce on the Niger.-Paris, June 14, 1898.

Sir E. Monson to M. Hanotaux.

M. LE MINISTRE, Paris, June 14, 1898. WITH reference to the Convention concluded this day between Great Britain and France with regard to the territorial and other interests of the two nations in the region of the Niger,* I have the honour, in accordance with instructions which I have received from Her Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to inform your Excellency that Her Majesty's Government engages to examine immediately, in concert with the French Government, the existing Regulations for the navigation of the Niger and its tributaries, with a view of removing every restriction prejudicial to French commerce which should be recognized by both countries as being inconsistent with the terms of the Niger Navigation Act contained in the General Act of Berlin of the 26th February, 1885.†

I have at the same time the honour, in accordance with an instruction from Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to ask your Excellency for an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will, on its side, be afforded facilities for the examination, in concert with the French Government, of the Navigation Regulations to be settled at a future date for that part of the course of the Niger and its tributaries which is placed under the sovereignty or Protectorate of France, with a view of removing every restriction prejudicial to British commerce which should be

*

Page 38.

+ Vol. LXXVI, page 17.

recognized on both sides as being inconsistent with the terms of the Niger Navigation Act contained in the General Act of the Berlin Conference of the 26th February, 1885.

M. Hanotaux.

I have, &c.,

EDMUND MONSON.

M. Hanotaux to Sir E. Monson.

M. L'AMBASSADEUR,

Paris, le 14 Juin, 1898. SE référant à la Convention conclue en date de ce jour, entre la France et la Grande-Bretagne, relativement aux intérêts territoriaux et autres des deux nations dans la région du Niger, votre Excellence a bien voulu me faire savoir, par une lettre également de ce jour, que le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique s'engageait à examiner immédiatement, de concert avec le Gouvernement de la République Française, le Règlement existant pour la navigation du Niger et de ses affluents, en vue d'écarter toute restriction préjudiciable au commerce Français qui serait de part et d'autre reconnue comme étant en désaccord avec les termes de l'Acte de Navigation du Niger contenus dans l'Acte Général de la Conférence de Berlin du 26 Février, 1885.

Me référant également à la Convention précitée, et pour répondre au désir exprimé par votre Excellence, j'ai l'honneur de lui donner l'assurance que le Gouvernement Britannique sera mis à même d'examiner, de concert avec le Gouvernement Français, le Règlement de Navigation qui viendrait à être établi ultérieurement sur la partie du cours du Niger et de ses affluents placée sous la souveraineté ou le Protectorat de la France, en vue d'écarter toute restriction préjudiciable au commerce Britannique, qui serait reconnue de part et d'autre comme étant en désaccord avec les termes de l'Acte de Navigation du Niger contenus dans l'Acte Général de la Conférence de Berlin du 26 Février, 1885.

Sir E. Monson.

Agréez, &c.,

G. HANOTAUX.