# Convention Between the United States and Great Britain (1930)

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Source: Treaties, Conventions, International Acts, Protocols, and Agreements Between the United States of America and Other Powers, 1923–1937. Vol. 4. Washington. Government Printing Office. 1938. pp. 4261–4274.
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Convention Delimiting the Boundary Between the Philippine Archipelago and the State of North Borneo
(Treaty Series, No. 856; 47 Statues at Large, 2198)
The President of the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India,
Being desirous of delimiting definitely the boundary between the Philippine Archipelago (the territory acquired by the United States of America by virtue of the Treaties of December 10, 1898, and November 7, 1900, with Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain) and the State of North Borneo which is under British protection,
Have resolved to conclude a Convention for that purpose and have appointed as their plenipotentiaries:
The President of the United States of America,
Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of State of the United States; and
His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India,
For Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
The Right Honorable Sir Esme Howard, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.V.O., His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Washington;
Who, having communicated to each other their respective full powers found in good and due form have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:
Article I. It is hereby agreed and declared that the line separating the islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago on the one hand and the islands belonging to the State of North Borneo which is under British protection on the other hand shall be and is hereby established as follows:
From the point of intersection of the parallel of four degrees forty-five minutes (4° 45′) north latitude and the meridian of longitude one hundred twenty degrees (120° 0′) east of Greenwich, (being a point on the boundary defined by the Treaty between the United States of America and Spain signed at Paris, December 10, 1898), a line due south along the meridian of longitude one hundred twenty degrees (120° 0′) east of Greenwich to its point of intersection with the parallel of four degrees twenty-three minutes (4° 23′) north latitude;
thence due west along the parallel of four degrees twenty-three minutes (4° 23′) north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one hundred nineteen degrees (119° 0') east of Greenwich,
thence due north along the meridian of longitude one hundred nineteen degrees (119° 0′) east of Greenwich to its intersection with the parallel of four degrees forty-two minutes (4° 42′) north latitude;
thence in a straight line approximately 45° 54′ true (N 45° 54′ E) to the intersection of the parallel of five degrees sixteen minutes (5° 16′) north latitude and the meridian of longitude one hundred nineteen degrees thirty-five minutes (119° 35′) east of Greenwich;
thence in a straight line approximately 314° 19′ true (N 45° 41′ W) to the intersection of the parallel of six degrees (6° 0′) north latitude and the meridian of longitude one hundred eighteen degrees fifty minutes (118° 50′) east of Greenwich;
thence due west along the parallel of six degrees (6° 0′) north latitude to its intersection with the meridian of longitude one hundred eighteen degrees twenty minutes (118° 20') east of Greenwich;
thence in a straight line approximately 307° 40′ true (N 52° 20′ W) passing between Little Bakkungaan Island and Great Bakkungaan Island to the intersection of the parallel of six degrees seventeen minutes (6° 17′) north latitude and the meridian of longitude one hundred seventeen degrees fifty-eight minutes (117° 58′) east of Greenwich;
thence due north along the meridian of longitude one hundred seventeen degrees fifty-eight minutes (117° 58′) east of Greenwich to its intersection with the parallel of six degrees fifty-two minutes (6° 52′) north latitude;
thence in a straight line approximately 315° 16′ true (N 44° 44′ W) to the intersection of the parallel of seven degrees twenty-four minutes forty-five seconds (7° 24′ 45″) north latitude with the meridian of longitude one hundred seventeen degrees twenty-five minutes thirty seconds (117° 25′ 30″) east of Greenwich;
thence in a straight line approximately 300° 56′ true (N 59° 4′ W) through the Mangsee Channel between Mangsee Great Reef and Mangsee Islands to the intersection of the parallel of seven degrees forty minutes (7° 40′) north latitude and the meridian of longitude one hundred seventeen degrees (117° 0′) east of Greenwich, the latter point being on the boundary defined by the Treaty between the United States of America and Spain signed at Paris, December 10, 1898.
Article II. The line described above has been indicated on Charts Nos. 4707 and 4720, published by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, corrected to July 24, 1929, portions of both charts so marked being attached to this treaty and made a part thereof. It is agreed that if more accurate surveying and mapping of North Borneo, the Philippine Islands, and intervening islands shall in the future show that the line described above does not pass between Little Bakkungaan and Great Bakkungaan Islands, substantially as indicated on Chart No. 4720, the boundary line shall be understood to be defined in that area as a line passing between Little Bakkungaan and Great Bakkungaan Islands as indicated on the chart, said portion of the line being a straight line approximately 307° 40′ true drawn from a point on the parallel of 6° 0′ north latitude to a point on the meridian of longitude of 117° 58′ east of Greenwich.
It is likewise agreed that if more accurate surveying and mapping shall show that the line described above does not pass between the Mangsee Islands and Mangsee Great Reef as indicated on Chart No. 4720, the boundary shall be understood to be defined in that area as a straight line drawn from the intersection of the parallel of 7° 24′ 45″ north latitude and the meridian of longitude of 117° 25′ 30″ east of Greenwich, passing through Mangsee Channel as indicated on attached Chart No. 4720 to a point on the parallel of 7° 40′ north latitude.
Article III. All islands to the north and east of the said line and all islands and rocks traversed by the said line, should there be any such, shall belong to the Philippine Archipelago and all islands to the south and west of the said line shall belong to the State of North Borneo.
Article IV. The provisions of Article 19 of the Treaty between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan limiting naval armament, signed at Washington on February 6, 1922, shall, so long as that Treaty remains in force, apply in respect of all islands in the Turtle and Mangsee Groups which are or may be deemed to be comprised within the territories of the Philippine Archipelago on the one hand and of the State of North Borneo on the other hand in consequence of the establishment of the line fixed by the preceding articles of the present Convention. In the event of either High Contracting Party ceding, selling, leasing or transferring any of the islands in question to a third party provision shall be made for the continued application to such island of the aforementioned Article 19 of the Treaty between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy and Japan limiting naval armament, signed at Washington on February 6, 1922, provided that Treaty is still in force at the time of such cession, sale, lease or transfer.
Article V. The present Convention shall be ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by His Britannic Majesty, and shall come into force on the exchange of the acts of ratification which shall take place at Washington as soon as possible.
In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same and have affixed thereto their respective seals.
Done in duplicate at Washington the second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty.
(Signed)Henry L Stimson.Esme Howard.
[EXCHANGES OF NOTES REGARDING CERTAIN ISLANDS OFF THE COAST OF BORNEO]
The British Ambassador (Howard) to the Secretary of State (Stimson)
No. 679
British Embassy, Washington, D.C. 2nd January, 1930.
Sir, By the convention concluded between the President of the United States of America and His Britannic Majesty for the purpose of delimiting the boundary between the Philippine archipelago on the one hand and the State of North Borneo which is under British protection on the other hand, the sovereignty over certain islands which have for many years past been administered by the British North Borneo Company has been definitely recognized as pertaining to the United States of America. These islands which formed the subject of the arrangement effected by an exchange of notes between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government on July 3rd and July 10th, 1907, are:—
1. Sibaung, Boaan, Lihiman, Langaan, Great Bakkungaan, Taganak, and Baguan in the group of islands known as the Turtle Islands.
2. The Mangsee Islands.
His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom understand that the Government of the United States of America are prepared to conclude an arrangement in regard to these islands, supplementary to the above-mentioned convention, in the following terms:
Firstly. That the said company be left undisturbed in the administration of these islands in question unless or until the United States Government give notice to His Majesty's Government of their desire that the administration of the islands should be transferred to them. The transfer of administration shall be effected within one year after such notice is given on a day and in a manner to be mutually arranged.
Secondly. That when the administration of any island is transferred in accordance with the foregoing the said Company will deliver to the United States Government all records relating to administration prior to the date of transfer.
Thirdly. The United States of America shall not be responsible for the value of any buildings which have been or may be erected or other permanent improvements which have been or may be made in any island the administration of which is subject to transfer but any buildings or improvements erected or made by the administrative authorities prior to the transfer of administration may be removed provided the interests of the United Sates of America are not thereby injured. In the event, however, of the Island of Taganak being so transferred, the United States Government will give favourable consideration to the question of the compensation to be paid to the said company in respect of the capital expenditure incurred by the company in connection with the lighthouse situated on the island, and the United States Government will provide for the future maintenance of the lighthouse.
Fourthly. That such privilege of administration shall not carry with it territorial rights, such as those of making grants or concessions in the islands in question to extend beyond the temporary occupation of the company; and any grant, concession, or license made by the company shall cease upon the termination of the company's occupation.
The United States Government, however, take note of the desire of His Majesty's Government that the following titles to land in certain of the islands which were in good faith granted by the Government of North Borneo prior to the arrangement of 1907, be allowed to stand on the terms on which they were issued by that Government.
Particulars
| Titles | Date of Alienation | Period | Approximate total Acreage |
| Boaan Island: 26 Native Titles Lihiman Island: 7 Native Titles 1 Provisional Lease 2416 Total Langaan Island: 4 Native Titles Great Bakkungaan: 3 Provisional Leases | 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 26. 9. 1903 | In perpetuity do 999 years In perpetuity 999 years | Acres 146 37 13 50 12 118 |
Fifthly. It is agreed that the United States Government shall be exempt from responsibility in respect of acts done in or from any of the islands in question the administration of which has not been transferred to the United States.
Sixthly. The stipulations of the extradition treaties between the United States Government and His Majesty's Government shall be applicable within the limits provided for in the exchange of notes which took place in Washington on September 1st/23rd, 1913, to the islands in question and the United States Government take note of the importance which, in view of the proximity of the islands to North Borneo, the said company attach to the establishment and maintenance of an adequate police post thereon, in the event of the administration being transferred to the United States Government.
Seventhly. In the event of the cession, sale, lease or transfer of the islands in question to any third party, the United States Government undertake to use their good offices in commending to the favourable consideration of such third party the desires expressed by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the British North Borneo Company, as set out in the preceding articles of the present arrangement.
I have the honour under instructions of His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to request you to be so good as to inform me whether the United States adhere to the terms of the arrangement above described and I shall be glad to receive an assurance from you at the same time that this note will be considered by the United States Government as sufficient acceptance of the above arrangement on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
(Signed) Esme Howard.
The Honourable Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D.C.
The Secretary of State (Stimson) to the British Ambassador (Howard)
Department of State, Washington, D.C. 2nd January, 1930.
Excellency: In Your Excellency's note of today's date you stated that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom understands that the Government of the United States of America is prepared to conclude an arrangement in the following terms regarding certain islands off the coast of Borneo which have been administered by the British North Borneo Company in accordance with the arrangement effected by an exchange of notes between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America on July 3 and July 10, 1907:
Firstly. That the said company be left undisturbed in the administration of the islands in question unless or until the United States Government give notice to His Majesty's Government of its desire that the administration of the islands should be transferred to it. The transfer of administration shall be effected within one year after such notice is given on a day and in a manner to be mutually arranged.
Secondly. That when the administration of any island is transferred in accordance with the foregoing the said Company will deliver to the United States Government all records relating to administration prior to the date of transfer.
Thirdly. The United States of America shall not be responsible for the value of any buildings which have been or may be erected or other permanent improvements which have been or may be made in any island the administration of which is subject to transfer but any buildings or improvements erected or made by the administrative authorities prior to the transfer of administration may be removed provided the interests of the United Sates of America are not thereby injured. In the event, however, of the Island of Taganak being so transferred, the United States Government will give favorable consideration to the question of the compensation to be paid to the said company in respect of the capital expenditure incurred by the company in connection with the lighthouse situated on the island, and that the United States Government will provide for the future maintenance of the lighthouse.
Fourthly. That such privilege of administration shall not carry with it territorial rights, such as those of making grants or concessions in the islands in question to extend beyond the temporary occupation of the company; and any grant, concession, or license made by the company shall cease upon the termination of the company's occupation.
The United States Government, however, takes note of the desire of His Majesty's Government that the following titles to land in certain of the islands which were in good faith granted by the Government of North Borneo prior to the arrangement of 1907, be allowed to stand on the terms on which they were issued by that Government.
Particulars
| Titles | Date of Alienation | Period | Approximate total Acreage |
| Boaan Island: 26 Native Titles Lihiman Island: 7 Native Titles 1 Provisional Lease 2416 Total Langaan Island: 4 Native Titles Great Bakkungaan: 3 Provisional Leases | 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 1. 6. 1907 26. 9. 1903 | In perpetuity do 999 years In perpetuity 999 years | Acres 146 37 13 50 12 118 |
Fifthly. It is agreed that the United States Government shall be exempt from responsibility in respect of acts done in or from any of the islands in question the administration of which has not been transferred to the United States.
Sixthly. The stipulations of the extradition treaties between the United States Government and His Majesty's Government shall be applicable within the limits provided for in the exchange of notes which took place in Washington on September 1st/23rd, 1913, to the islands in question and the United States Government takes note of the importance which, in view of the proximity of the islands to North Borneo, the said company attaches to the establishment and maintenance of an adequate police post thereon, in the event of the administration being transferred to the United States Government.
Seventhly. In the event of the cession, sale, lease or transfer of the islands in question to any third party, the United States Government undertakes to use its good offices in commending to the favorable consideration of such third party the desires expressed by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the British North Borneo Company, as set out in the preceding articles of the present arrangement.
In reply to the inquiry made on behalf of Your Excellency's Government in the last paragraph of your note of today's date, I take pleasure in informing you that the Government of the United States of America adheres to the terms of the arrangement above described, and in assuring you that your note under acknowledgement is considered by the Government of the United States of America as sufficient acceptance of the arrangement on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.,
(Signed) Henry L. Stimson.
His Excellency the Right Honorable Sir Esme Howard, G. C. B., C. C. M. G., C. V. O, Ambassador of Great Britain.
The British Ambassador (Lindsay) to the Secretary of State (Stimson)
No. 221
British Embassy, Washington, D.C. July 6th, 1932.
Sir, In the notes exchanged between the United States Government and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on January 2nd, 1930, constituting an arrangement regarding certain islands off the coast of Borneo which have been administered by the British North Borneo Company in accordance with the arrangement effected by an exchange of notes between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America on July 3 and July 10, 1907, the United States Government took note of the desire of His Majesty's Government that certain titles to land in certain of the islands which were in good faith granted by the Government of North Borneo prior to the arrangement of 1907, be allowed to stand on the terms on which they were issued by that Government.
2. His Majesty's Government regret that the following title was inadvertently omitted from those included in the above arrangement:—
| | Date of Alienation | Period | Area |
| Lihiman Island: Provisional Lease No. 2417 | 1. 6. 1907 | 999 years | 13 acres. 0 roods. 24 perches. |
3. I have the honour under instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to request you to be so good as to inform me whether the United States Government will agree to regard this title as included in those mentioned in the arrangement concluded on January 2nd, 1930.
4. Should your Government agree to this extension of the above-mentioned arrangement, I should be glad to receive from you an assurance that this note will be considered by the United States Government as a sufficient confirmation thereof on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
(Signed)R. C. Lindsay.
The Honourable Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.
The Secretary of State (Stimson) to the British Ambassador (Lindsay)
Department of State, Washington, July 6, 1932.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of this day's date in which Your Excellency refers to the fact that in the notes exchanged between the Government of the United States of America and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on January 2nd, 1930, constituting an arrangement regarding certain islands off the coast of Borneo which have been administered by the British North Borneo Company in accordance with the arrangement effected by an exchange of notes between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States on July 3 and July 10, 1907, the Government of the United States took note of the desire of His Majesty's Government that certain titles to land in certain of the islands which were in good faith granted by the Government of North Borneo prior to the arrangement of 1907, be allowed to stand on the terms on which they were issued by that Government. In relation to this matter Your Excellency states that His Majesty's Government regrets that the following title was inadvertently omitted from the list of land titles included in the above arrangement:—
| | Date of Alienation | Period | Area |
| Lihiman Island: Provisional Lease No. 2417 | 1.6.1907 | 999 years | 13 acres. 0 roods. 24 perches. |
Under instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Your Excellency requests that I be so good as to inform you whether the Government of the United States will agree to regard this title as included in those mentioned in the arrangement concluded on January 2nd, 1930.
In reply I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that the Government of the United States agrees to the extension of the arrangement of January 2, 1930, to include the above-mentioned title, and I take pleasure also in assuring Your Excellency that your note under acknowledgment is considered by the Government of the United States as a sufficient confirmation on the part of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of the aforesaid extension.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.
For the Secretary of State: (Signed)W. R. Castle, Jr.
His Excellency The Honorable Sir Ronald Lindsay, P. C., G. C. M. G., K. C. B., C. V. O., British Ambassador.
711.4115A/99
The British Ambassador (Bryce) to the Secretary of State (Root)
No. 151
British Embassy, Intervale, N. H. July 3, 1907.
Sir, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government, acting at the request and on behalf of the British North Borneo Company, are prepared to acquiesce in the last proposal stated in your letter to Sir H. M. Durand of the 19th of December last, respecting the administration of certain islands on the East Coast of Borneo. I am therefore instructed by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to place the proposed arrangement formally on record without further delay.
His Majesty's Government understand the terms of the arrangement to be as follows.
"Firstly: that the said Company be left undisturbed in the administration of the islands in question without any agreement specifying details, the United States Government simply waiving in favour of the said Company the right to such administration in the meantime, in other words, that the existing status be continued indefinitely at the pleasure of the two Governments concerned.
"Secondly: that such privilege of administration shall not carry with it territorial rights, such as those of making grants or concessions in the islands in question to extend beyond the temporary occupation of the company; and any grant, concession or license, made by the company shall cease upon the termination of the company's occupation.
"Thirdly: That the temporary waiver of the right of administration on the part of the United States Government shall cover all the islands to the westward and southwestward of the line traced on the map which accompanied Sir H. M. Durand's memorandum of the 23rd of June, 1906, and which is annexed to and to be deemed to form part of this Note.
"Fourthly: That the British North Borneo Company, through His Majesty's Government, shall agree to the exemption of the United States Government from any claim or allegation that the latter Government has incurred any responsibility in respect of acts done in or from any island within the said line.
"Fifthly: That the understanding shall continue until the said two Governments may be Treaty delimit the boundary between their respective domains in that quarter, or until the expiry of one year from the date when notice of termination be given by either to the other.
"Sixthly: That in case of denunciation, the United States Government shall not be responsible for the value of any buildings or other permanent improvements which may have been erected or made by the company upon the islands, but permission is hereby given to the company to remove, at its own expense, any buildings or improvements erected by it, provided the interests of the United States be not injured thereby."
I have therefore the honour to request you to be so good as to inform me whether the United States adhere to the terms of the arrangement above described, and I shall be glad to receive an assurance from you at the same time that this Note will be considered by the United States Government as sufficient ratification of the above arrangement on the part of His Majesty's Government.
I have the honour to be with the highest consideration, Sir, your most obedient, Humble Servant
(Signed)James Bryce
The Honourable Elihu Root, etc., etc., etc.
The Acting Secretary of State (Bacon) to the Britich Ambassador (Bryce)
2160/6 No. 109
Department of State, Washington, July 10, 1907.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 151 of the 3rd instant, by which you inform me that His Majesty's Government, acting at the request and in behalf of the British North Borneo Company, are prepared to acquiesce in the last proposal stated in the letter of December 19, 1906, from the Secretary of State to Sir H. M. Durand, respecting the administration of certain islands on the East Coast of Borneo, and that you are therefore instructed by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to place the proposed arrangement formally on record without further delay.
The understanding of His Majesty's Government of the terms of the arrangement is stated by you to be as follows.
"Firstly: That the said Company be left undisturbed in the administration of the islands in question without any agreement specifying details, the United States Government simply waiving in favor of the said Company the right to such administration in the meantime, in other words, that the existing status be continued indefinitely at the pleasure of the two Governments concerned.
"Secondly: That such privilege of administration shall not carry with it territorial rights, such as those of making grants or concessions in the islands in question to extend beyond the temporary occupation of the company; and any grant, concession or license, made by the company shall cease upon the termination of the company's occupation.
"Thirdly: That the temporary waiver of the right of administration on the part of the United States Government shall cover all the islands to the westward and southwestward of the line traced on the map which accompanied Sir H. M. Durand's memorandum of the 23rd of June, 1906, and which is annexed to and to be deemed to form part of this note.
"Fourthly: That the British North Borneo Company, through His Majesty's Government, shall agree to the exemption of the United States Government from any claim or allegation that the latter Government has incurred any responsibility in respect of acts done in or from any island within the said line.
"Fifthly: That the understanding shall continue until the said two Governments may be treaty delimit the boundary between their respective domains in that quarter, or until the expiry of one year from the date when notice of termination be given by either to the other.
"Sixthly: That in case of denunciation, the United States Government shall not be responsible for the value of any buildings or other permanent improvements which may have been erected or made by the company upon the islands; but permission is hereby given to the company to remove, at its own expense, any buildings or improvements erected by it, provided the interest of the United States be not injured thereby."
The understanding of His Majesty's Government as above recited agreeing with that of the United States, I have the honor formally to announce the adherence of the United States to the arrangement and the acceptance of your note as sufficient ratification of the arrangement on the part of His Majesty's Government.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
(Signed)Robert Bacon, Acting Secretary.
His Excellency the Right Honorable James Bryce, O. M., Ambassador of Great Britain.
The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State (Bryan)
No. 231.
British Embassy, Dublin, N. H., Sept. 1, 1913.
Sir: Under instructions from my government I have the honour to request you to be so good as to inform me whether the United States Government would be willing to enter into an arrangement with the Government of His Britannic Majesty by virtue of which fugitive offenders from the Philippine Islands or Guam to the State of North Borneo, or from the State of North Borneo to the Philippine Islands or Guam shall be reciprocally surrendered for offences specified in the existing Treaties of Extradition between the United States and his Britannic Majesty, so far as such offences are punishable both by the laws of the Philippine Islands or Guam and by the laws of the State of North Borneo.
Should your government agree to this arrangement I should be glad to receive from you an assurance that this note will be considered by the United States Government as a sufficient confirmation thereof on the part of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
(Signed)Cecil Spring Rice.
The Honourable, W. J. Bryan, Secretary of State, etc., etc., etc.,
The Secretary of State (Bryan) to the Britich Ambassador (Spring Rice)
No. 139.
Department of State, Washington, September 23, 1913.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 231, of the 1st instant, in which, under instructions from your Government, you inquire whether the Government of the United States would be willing to enter into an arrangement with the Government of His Britannic Majesty by virtue of which fugitive offenders from the Philippine Islands or Guam to the State of North Borneo or from the State of North Borneo to the Philippine Islands or Guam shall be reciprocally surrendered for offences specified in the existing treaties of extradition between the United States and His Britannic Majesty, so far as such offences are punishable both by the laws of the Philippine Islands or Guam and by the laws of the State of North Borneo; and you ask that, in case the Government of the United States agrees to this arrangement, you receive from me an assurance that your note will be considered by the Government of the United States as a sufficient confirmation thereof on the part of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
In reply I am happy to state that the Government of the United States agrees to the arrangement between the Government of the United States and the Government of His Britannic Majesty by which it is understood that fugitive offenders from the Philippine Islands or Guam to British North Borneo and from British North Borneo to the Philippine Islands or Guam shall be reciprocally delivered up for offenses specified in the extradition treaties between the United States and His Britannic Majesty's Government so far as such offenses are punishable both by the laws of the Philippine Islands or Guam and by the laws of British North Borneo; and accepts Your Excellency's note as a sufficient confirmation of the arrangement on the part of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
Accordingly, the Government of the United States understands the arrangement to be completed by this present note and to be in full force and effect from and after September 23, 1913.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency's obedient servant,
(Signed)W. J. Bryan.
His Excellency Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, Ambassador of Great Britain.
211.41/15
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
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