OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS THE CHINO-JAPANESE TREATIES AND EXCHANGES OF NOTES OF MAY 25, 1915 1 TREATY RESPECTING THE PROVINCE OF SHANTUNG His Excellency the President of the Republic of China and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, having resolved to conclude a treaty with a view to the maintenance of general peace in the Extreme East and the further strengthening of the relations of friendship and good neighborhood now existing between the two nations, have for that purpose named as their plenipotentiaries, that is to say: His Excellency the President of the Republic of China, Lou Tsengtsiang, Chung-ching. First Class Chia Ho Decoration, Minister of Foreign Affairs. And His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Hioki Eki, Jushii, Second Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure, Minister Plenipotentiary, and Envoy Extraordinary; Who, after having communicated to each other their full powers and found them to be in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles: ARTICLE 1 The Chinese Government agrees to give full assent to all matters upon which the Japanese Government may hereafter agree with the German Government relating to the disposition of all rights, interests and concessions which Germany, by virtue of treaties or otherwise, possesses in relation to the Province of Shantung. ARTICLE 2 The Chinese Government agrees that as regards the railway to be built by China herself from Chefoo or Lungkow to connect with the 1 Reprinted from the Peking Gazette of May 27, 1915, and the Far Eastern Review for May, 1915, as a complete and authoritative English translation. 1 Kiaochow-Tsinanfu railway, if Germany abandons the privilege of financing the Chefoo-Weihsien line, China will approach Japanese capitalists to negotiate for a loan. ARTICLE 3 The Chinese Government agrees in the interest of trade and for the residence of foreigners, to open by China herself as soon as possible certain suitable places in the Province of Shantung as commercial ports. ARTICLE 4 The present treaty shall come into force on the day of its signature. The present treaty shall be ratified by His Excellency the President of the Republic of China and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and the ratification thereof shall be exchanged at Tokio as soon as possible. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries of the high contracting parties have signed and sealed the present treaty, two copies in the Chinese language and two in Japanese. Done at Peking this twenty-fifth day of the fifth month of the fourth year of the Republic of China, corresponding to the same day of the same month of the fourth year of Taisho. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING SHANTUNG 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:-"Within the Province of Shantung or along its coast no territory or island will be leased or ceded to any foreign Power under any pretext." I avail, etc., (Signed) Lou TSENG-TSIANG. His Excellency, HIOKI EKI, 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 in which you made the following declaration in the name of the Chinese Government: "Within the Province of Shantung or along its coast no territory or island will be leased or ceded to any foreign Power under any pretext." In reply I beg to state that I have taken note of this declaration. I avail, etc., His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) HIOKi Eki. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING THE OPENING OF PORTS IN SHANTUNG 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 places which ought to be opened as Commercial Ports by China herself, as provided in Article 3 of the Treaty respecting the Province of Shantung signed this day, will be selected and the regulations therefor will be drawn up, by the Chinese Government itself, a decision concerning which will be made after consulting the Minister of Japan, His Excellency, HIOKI EKI, Japanese Minister. I avail, etc., (Signed) Lou TSENG-TSIANG. 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 in which you stated "that the places which ought to be opened as commercial ports by China herself, as provided in Article 3 of the treaty respecting the province of Shantung signed this day, will be selected and the regulations therefor, will be 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. His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Signed) HIOKI Eki. EXCHANGE OF NOTES RESPECTING THE RESTORATION OF THE LEASED TERRITORY OF KIAOCHOW BAY Note Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of Taisho Excellency, In the name of my Government I have the honor to make the following declaration to the Chinese Government: When, after the termination of the present war, the leased territory of Kiaochow Bay is completely left to the free disposal of Japan, the Japanese Government will restore the said leased territory to China under the following conditions: 1. The whole of Kiaochow Bay to be opened as a commercial port. 2. A concession under the exclusive jurisdiction of Japan to be established at a place designated by the Japanese Government. 3. If the foreign Powers desire it, an international concession may be established. 4. As regards the disposal to be made of the buildings and properties of Germany and the conditions and procedure relating thereto, the Japanese Government and the Chinese Government shall arrange the matter by mutual agreement before the restoration. His Excellency, LOU TSENG-TSIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs. I avail, etc., (Signed) HIOKI Eki. |