Conrjo Agreement, 12.5.94. 287 Self -Deny iruj Declaration.

Art. IV. His Majesty King Leopold II, Sovereign of the Independent Congo State, recognises that he neither has nor seeks to acquire any political rights in the territories ceded to him under lease in the Nile basin other than those which are in conformity with the present Agreement.

Similarly, Great Britain recognises that she neither has, nor seeks to acquire, any political rights in the strip of territory granted to her on lease between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Albert Edward other than those which are in conformity with the present Agreement.

Telegraphic Communication.

Art. V. The Independent Congo State authorises the construction through its territories by Great Britain, or by any Company duly authorised by the British Government, of a line of telegraph connecting the British territories in South Africa with the British sphere of influence on the Nile. The Government of the Congo State shall have facilities for comiecting this line with its own telegraphic system.

This authorisation shall not confer on Great Britain or any Company, person, or persons, delegated to construct the telegraph line, any rights of police or administration within the territory of the Congo State.

Equality of Treatment in Territories Leased. Art, VI. In the territories under lease in this Agreement the subjects of each of the Contracting Parties shall reciprocally enjoy equal rights and immunities, and shall not be subjected to any differential treatment of any kind.

In witness whereof the undersigned have signed the present Agreement, and have affixed thereto the seal of the arms.

Done in duplicate at Brussels, this 12th day of May, 1894.

(L.S.) FRANCIS RICHARD PLUNKETT.

(L.S.) EDM. VAN EETVELDE.

Claims of Turkey and Egypt in Basin of the Upper Nile not Ignored.

(1) Sir F. Plunkett to Mr. van Eetvelde.

British Legation, Brussels, 12th May, 1894.

M. LE Secretaire d'Etat, The Earl of Kimberley, in authorising me to sign the Agreement of this day's date for a lease of certain territories in the British sphere of influence in East Africa to His Majesty King Leopold II, has directed me to record the assurance that the parties to the agreement do not ignore the claims of Turkey and Egypt in the Basin of the Upper Nile.

I avail, etc., F. R. PLUNKETT.

(2) M. van Eetvelde to Sir F. Plunkett. Brussels, 12th May, 1894. Sib, In signing on behalf of His Majesty King Leopold II, the Agreement of this day's date, for a lease of certam territories in the British sphere of influence in East Africa, I reciprocate the assurance that the parties to the Agreement do not ignore the claims of Turkey and Egypt in the Basin of the Upper Nile.

I avaU, etc., EDM. VAN EETVELDE.

Explanatory Despatch relating to the above Agreement between Great Britain and the Congo State, of 12th May, 1894. The Earl of Kimberley to Mr. Hardinge.

Foreign Office, 23rd May, 1894. Sir, Claims of Egypt and Turkey to Equatorial Provinces. ********* On approaching His Majesty, Her Majesty's Government found him fully disposed to enter into an arrangement -which, while enabhng him to continue the work he had commenced would record his recognition of the position of