drawn up, by the Chinese Government itself, a decision concerning which will be made after consulting the Minister of Japan." In reply, I beg to state that I have taken note of the same. Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China Monsieur le Ministre, I have the honor to state that Japanese subjects shall, as soon as possible, investigate and select mines in the mining areas in South Manchuria specified hereinunder, except those being prospected for or worked, and the Chinese Government will then permit them to prospect or work the same; but before the mining regulations are definitely settled, the practice at present in force shall be followed. Reply Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Taisho Excellency, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note of this day respecting the opening of mines in South Manchuria, stating: Japanese subjects shall, as soon as possible, investigate and select mines in the mining areas in South Manchuria specified hereinunder, except those being prospected for or worked, and the Chinese Government will then permit them to prospect and/or work the same; but before the mining regulations are definitely settled, the practice at present in force shall be followed. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING RAILWAYS AND TAXES IN SOUTH MANCHURIA AND EASTERN INNER MONGOLIA Note Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China Monsieur le Ministre, In the name of my Government, I have the honor to make the following declaration to your Government: China will hereafter provide funds for building necessary railways in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia; if foreign capital is re quired China may negotiate for a loan with Japanese capitalists first; and further, the Chinese Government, when making a loan in future on the security of the taxes in the above-mentioned places (excluding the salt and customs revenue which have already been pledged by the Chinese Central Government) may negotiate for it with Japanese capitalists first. His Excellency, I avail, etc., (Signed) Lou TSENG-TSIANG. Japanese Minister. Reply Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Taisho Excellency, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note of this day's date respecting railways and taxes in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia in which you stated: "China will hereafter provide funds for building necessary railways in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia; if foreign capital is required China may negotiate for a loan with Japanese capitalists first; and further, the Chinese Government, when making a loan in future on the security of taxes in the above-mentioned places (excluding the salt and customs revenue which has already been pledged by the Chinese Central Government) may negotiate for it with Japanese capitalists first. In reply I beg to state that I have taken note of the same. His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) HIOKI EKI. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADVISERS IN SOUTH MANCHURIA Note Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China Monsieur le Ministre, In the name of the Chinese Government, I have the honor to make the following declaration to your Government: "Hereafter, if foreign advisers or instructors on political, financial, military or police matters are to be employed in South Manchuria, Japanese may be employed first." Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Taisho Excellency, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note of this day's date in which you made the following declaration in the name of your Government: "Hereafter if foreign advisers or instructors in political, financial, military or police matters are to be employed in South Manchuria, Japanese may be employed first." In reply, I beg to state that I have taken note of the same. His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, I avail, etc., (Signed) HIOKI EKI. Minister of Foreign Affairs. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING THE EXPLANATION OF "LEASE BY NEGOTIATION" IN SOUTH MANCHURIA Note Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Taisho Excellency, I have the honor to state that the term "lease by negotiation" contained in Article 2 of the treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day shall be understood to imply a long-term lease of not more than thirty years and also the possibility of its unconditional renewal. His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs. I avail, etc., Reply Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China Monsieur le Ministre, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note of this day's date in which you state: "The term 'lease by negotiation' contained in Article 2 of the treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day shall be understood to imply a long-term lease of not more than thirty years and also the possibility of its unconditional renewal." In reply I beg to state that I have taken note of the same. I avail, etc., His Excellency, НІКІ ЕКІ, Japanese Minister. (Signed) Lou TSENG-TSIANG. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING THE ARRANGEMENT FOR POLICE LAWS AND ORDINANCES AND TAXATION IN SOUTH MANCHURIA AND EASTERN INNER MONGOLIA Note Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China Monsieur le Ministre, I have the honor to state that the Chinese authorities will notify the Japanese consul of the police laws and ordinances and the taxation to which Japanese subjects shall submit according to Article 5 of the treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day so as to come to an understanding with him before their enforcement. I avail, etc., His Excellency, HIOKI EKI, Japanese Minister. (Signed) Lou TSENG-TSIANG. |