into operation from the date of the exchange of ratifications and shall remain in force for five years from that date. In case neither Party shall have given notice to the other twelve months before the expiration of the said period of his intention to terminate the present Convention, it shall continue in force until the expiration of twelve months from the date on which either of the High Contracting Parties shall have denounced it. In witness whereof the undersigned have signed the present Convention and have affixed thereto their seals. Done at London in duplicate this 30th day of July, 1925. Minutes of a Meeting between the British and Japanese Representatives, held at 4 P.M. on July 30, 1925, at the Foreign Office, London, for the purpose of signing a Convention supplementing the provisions of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation, signed at London on April 3, 1911. Plenipotentiaries present: United Kingdom. Japan. His Excellency Baron Gonsuke THE Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs announced that the negotiation of the Supplementary Convention between the United Kingdom and Japan was now concluded and that the Convention was ready for signature. Coasting Trade. The Japanese Ambassador stated, in reference to the condition of reciprocity provided for in Article 2 of the Supplementary Convention, that his Government had no intention of refusing the benefits of any concession to ships registered in one part of the British Empire on the ground that another part of the Empire failed to give reciprocity to Japanese ships. He suggested that the detailed examination of the questions involved might be left over for negotiation between representatives of the two Powers until a decision to admit foreign ships to the Japanese coasting trade had actually been taken by the Japanese Government. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs concurred. Mandated Territories. The Japanese Ambassador stated that he assumed that the clauses of the Supplementary Convention relating to the application to the mandated territories of the High Contracting Parties of the provisions of the Treaty under reference as amended by the Supplementary Convention did not prejudice the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations and the terms of the mandates in respect of these territories. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs replied that such was also the assumption of the British Government. Effect of Abrogation of Article 8 of the Treaty of 1911. The Japanese Ambassador enquired whether he was correct in assuming that it was agreed between the Parties that, as the abrogation of Article 8 and the annexed schedule of the Treaty takes effect apart from the provisions of the present Supplementary Convention, the stipulations of Article 5 of the Supplementary Convention are not to be applicable in respect of the said abrogation. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs replied that it was so agreed. The plenipotentiaries, the Right Honourable Joseph Austen Chamberlain for the United Kingdom and His Excellency Baron Gonsuke Hayashi for Japan, then proceeded to the signature of the Supplementary Convention, and the proceedings terminated. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN. HAYASHI. NATIONALITY LAW OF LATVIA June 2, 1927 [In continuation of " Miscellaneous No. 2 (1927)" (Cmd. 2852) ] Presented by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 120, George Street, Edinburgh; York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 15, Donegall Square West, Belfast; or through any Bookseller 1927 Price 2d. Net Cmd. 2970 Nationality Law of Latvia, June 2, 1927. (Translation.) I. EVERY subject of the former Russian Empire, without distinction of nationality and religion, residing within the limits of Latvia, or who is a native of the regions included in the territory of Latvia, or who belonged to the aforesaid regions on the strength of the laws of Russia before the 1st August, 1914-is considered a citizen of Latvia, provided he or she has not become a citizen of another State before the publication of this law. I'. Likewise every subject of the former Russian Empire, without distinction of nationality and religion, who has resided within the limits of Latvia since the 1st January, 1925, has not become subject of any other State before the coming into force of these amendments and supplements and (a.) Has lived within the limits of Latvia at least for six months before the 1st August, 1914, or (b.) Has had permanent residence within the limits of Latvia up to 1881, or (c.) Is a descendant of persons mentioned under (a) and (b). The privileges mentioned in this paragraph shall be enjoyed by persons who, satisfying the above-mentioned requirements, file a petition with the Minister of the Interior for a Latvian passport before the 1st February, 1928. The privileges mentioned in this paragraph shall be denied to persons who lived in Latvia during the years 1918, 1919 and 1920, and, being of military age, did not report at the mobilisation proclaimed by the temporary Latvian Government. II. Persons temporarily resident outside the limits of Latvia but otherwise satisfying the requirements mentioned in paragraph I do not forfeit their claim to Latvian citizenship, if they return to Latvia within twelve months from the date of publication of this law, if they register themselves as Latvian citizens with one of the Latvian diplomatic representatives abroad, or communicate their desire to remain Latvian citizens to the Minister of the Interior. Observation 1.-In countries where Latvia has no diplomatic representative the twelve months' period commences from the date of establishing diplomatic relations. With the opening of a new diplomatic post the latter cannot register persons who have come from countries where a diplomatic post existed previously, and where they had the opportunity to make use of their option rights, if they have left such country after the lapse of the term of option. Observation 2.-Persons who have registered themselves or handed in applications in the manner provided by this law do not lose their claim to Latvian citizenship if they take out Latvian passports within one year from the date of coming into force of these amendments and supplements; otherwise the registration or application shall be considered as void. Sailors who have sailed on foreign ships, are so employed at the time of coming into force of these amendments and are temporarily living outside of Latvia, but otherwise satisfy the requirements of paragraph I, do not lose their claim to Latvian citizenship if within one year from the date of coming into force of the amendments and supplements they return to Latvia or register themselves as Latvian citizens with one of the Latvian representatives abroad, or notify their desire to remain Latvian citizens to the Minister of the Interior, and take out Latvian passports. III. [Cancelled.] IV. Foreign subjects and persons of no nationality may be admitted to Latvian citizenship if they have resided for not less than five consecutive years within the limits of Latvia. Petitions for admission to Latvian citizenship should be addressed to the Minister of the Interior for decision by the Cabinet of Ministers. Observation 1.-The period between the 1st August, 1914, and the 1st August, 1919, shall not be included in the five years' term mentioned in this paragraph. Observation 2.-Foreigners who serve or have served in the Latvian national army may petition the Minister of the Interior and acquire Latvian citizenship by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers even if they have not lived for five consecutive years within the limits of Latvia. Observation 3.-Persons of no nationality who have lived in Latvia for the period required by this paragraph should, if they desire to acquire Latvian citizenship, file a petition with the Minister of the Interior for admission within one year after reaching their majority. In the contrary case they lose their claim to Latvian citizenship thereafter. Observation 4.-Persons who have lost Latvian citizenship in conformity with paragraphs VIII or IX of this law, but desire to regain it, must reside in Latvia for the period specified in this paragraph counting from the date on which they lost Latvian citizenship. IV1. Persons sentenced to imprisonment for crimes of fraud, theft, &c., or persons sentenced to major punishments shall not be admitted to Latvian citizenship either under paragraph I or under paragraph IV. 4177 Wt. 1125 11/27 F.O.P. 16748 B 2 |