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Declaration between Great Britain and France, for the Constitution of a Joint Naval Commission for the protection of Life and Property in the New Hebrides [1888] PITSE 1 (26 January 1888)

DECLARATION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE, FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF A JOINT NAVAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE NEW HEBRIDES

(Paris, 26 January 1888)

DECLARATION agreed upon between the Governments of Great Britain and France, pursuant to Article III of the Convention of November 16, 1887, ^[1] relative to the New Hebrides:-

I. A Joint Naval Commission shall be immediately constituted, composed of naval officers belonging to the British and French Stations in the Pacific, charged with the duty of maintaining order, and of protecting the lives and property of British and French subjects in the New Hebrides.

II. The said Commission shall be composed of a President and two British and two French naval officers; the said officers to be named by any person having commission for that purpose from the British and French Governments respectively. From the date of the first composition of the Commission the President shall be in alternate months the Commanding Officer of the British and French Naval Forces respectively, present in the group; it being decided by lot which of the two officers shall first act as President. The Commission shall assemble at the request of either Commanding Officer. In the absence of the President for the time being, the other Commanding Officer shall preside and the Commission shall have the power to act if two other members be present, of whom one is British and the other French.

III. The Commission shall carry out its duties in conformity with the Regulations annexed to this Declaration, and with any further Regulations which may from time to time be agreed upon between the two Governments.

In witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized by their respective by their respective Governments for that purpose, have signed the present Declaration, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.

Signed at Paris, in duplicate, this 26^th day of January, 1888.

(L.S.) LYTTON.

(L.S.) FLOURENS

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ANNEX

Regulations for the Guidance of the Joint Naval Commission

1. In the event of a disturbance of peace and good order in any part of the New Hebrides where British or French subjects may be settled, or in any case of danger menacing the safety of life or property, the Commission shall forthwith assemble, and take such measures as it may think best under the circumstances for repressing the disturbance or for the protection of the interests endangered.

2. No British or French Naval Commander shall take independent or isolated action, except as hereinafter mentioned.

3. Military force shall not be resorted to unless the Commission shall consider its employment to be indispensable.
4. In the event of the landing of a naval or military force, such force shall not remain longer than may be considered necessary by the Commission.

5. Where the circumstances may not admit of any delay, and the urgency of the case may call for immediate action before the assembling of the Commission, the British and French Commanders nearest the scene of action shall, in concert if possible or separately if such concert be not practicable, take the necessary measures for the protection of the interests endangered, and shall report such action forthwith to their respective Senior Naval Officers on the Station and await the further orders of the Commission. Each Senior Naval Officer, on receiving such report, shall at once communicate it to the other.

6. The Commission shall have no further or other powers than are expressly delegated to it by these Regulations, and shall not interfere in disputes concerning the title to land, or dispossess of their lands any persons, natives or foreigners.

Signed at Paris in duplicate, this 26^th day of January 1888.

LYTTON.

FLOURENS.

^[1] Signed also in the French language