File No. 4286/–1.
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Agreement between the United Kingdom, France,
and Italy, respecting the importation of arms and ammunition
into Abyssinia.
France, Great Britain, and Italy having a common interest in the
prevention of all disturbances in their respective territories in
Ethiopia and on the lied Sea littoral, the Gulf of Aden, and the
Indian Ocean, have agreed as follows:
1. The contracting Governments, having regard to the provisions of
Articles VIII to XIII of the general act of Brussels of the 2d July,
1890, bind themselves to exercise a rigorous supervision over the
importation of arms and ammunition:
The French Government at Jibuti and Obok, in the territories of
French Somaliland.
The British Government in British Somaliland and the ports and
territories of Zeila, Berbera, Aden, and Perim; and
The Italian Government in Erythrsea, Italian Somaliland, and more
especially in the ports of Massawah and Assab.
2. Transmit permits for arms and ammunition destined for the
Ethiopian government, recognized Ethiopian chiefs, and private
persons in Ethiopia, will only be granted on a request to that
effect formulated by the said government, indicating by name the
persons authorized, the nature and quantity of arms and ammunition,
and certifying that the said arms and ammunition are not intended
for sale.
3. The three Governments engage to make joint representations to the
Negus with a view to the prohibition, in accordance with the
provisions of the general act of Brussels, of the traffic in arms
and ammunition in Abyssinian territory.
4. As regards the supervision of dhows trading for arms from Jibuti,
Aden, Perim, Zeila, Massawah, Assab, and other ports of those
regions to points outside the zone of protection defined by the act
of Brussels, measures will be taken to prevent them from
smuggling.
5. While expressly maintaining the principles of French legislation
in regard to the right of visit, and it being agreed that the
British and Italian Governments maintain their principles in regard
to this question, the French Government
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agrees that the measures of control exercised
by the local authorities in British and Italian territorial waters
over small British and Italian native merchant craft (dhows) should
be also applicable in Italian and British territorial waters to
dhows flying the French flag. The British and Italian Governments
also agree that the measures of control exercised by the local
authorities in French territorial waters over small French native
merchant craft (dhows) shall also be applicable to dhows flying the
British or Italian flags.
These measures shall be enforced without necessitating a recourse to
the formalities laid down by the consular conventions in force
between the three Governments.
6. In order to facilitate the supervision of native craft, and in
order to prevent any wrongful use of the flag, the three Governments
engage to communicate to each other every year a list of the dhows
authorized to fly their respective flags.
7. The three Governments will further see that the dhow owners
authorized to fly the French, British, or Italian flag shall show
such plain marks on their craft as will permit of easy recognition
at a distance.
8. The British, French, and Italian Governments agree to instruct
their respective local authorities to concert amongst themselves as
to the best means of carrying out the measures to be taken as the
result of this agreement.
9. The present agreement shall hold good for a period of twelve years
from the date of signature, and shall then remain in force for
periods of three years, unless it is denounced six months
before.
Done at London,
December 13,
1906.
(Signed)
E.
Grey.
(Signed)
Paul
Cambon.
(Signed)
A. De San Giuliano.
