Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 259

174

SINO-JAPANESE TREATY RESPECTING SOUTH MANCHURIA, ETC.

Monsieur le Ministre :-

Peking, May 25th, 1915.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of to-day's date, in which you state that the cities and towns to be opened in accordance with the stipulation of Art. III. of the Treaty respecting Shantung Province, signed to- day, will be selected and the regulations therefor will be drawn up by the Chinese Government, and will be decided upon after consultation with the Japanese Minister.

In reply I beg to state that I have taken note of the same.

His Excellency

Mr. Lu CHENG-HSIENG,

I avail, etc., etc.,

Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the Republic of China.

EKI HIOKI,

H. I. J. M.'s Envoy Extraordinary

and Minister Plenipotentiary.

SINO-JAPANESE TREATY

RESPECTING SOUTH MAN-

CHURIA AND EASTERN INNER MONGOLIA

[Signed at Peking, May 25th, 1915]

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and Ilis Excellency the President of the Republic of China, being desirous to develop the economic relations of the two coun- tries in the regions of South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, have resolved to conclude a treaty for that purpose and to that end have named their Plenipoten- tiaries, that is to say :-

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Mr. Eki Hioki, Jushii, Second Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of China; and

His Excellency the President of the Republic of China, Mr. Lu Cheng-hsieng, Tsung Ching, First Class of the Order of Chia-Ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China;

Wao, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, which were found to be in good anl due form, have agreed upon the following articles :-

Art. I.---The High Contracting Parties mutually agree to extend the term of the lease of Port Arthur and Dairen, and the term relating to the South Manchurian Railway and the Antung-Mukden Railway, to a period of ninty-nine years respectively. Art. II. The subjects of Japan shall be permitted in South Manchuria to lease land necessary either for erecting buildings for various commercial and industrial uses or for agricultural purposes.

Art. III. The subjects of Japan shall have liberty to enter, travel and reside in South Manchuria and to carry on business of various kinds-commercial, industrial and otherwise.

Art. IV. The Government of China shall permit joint undertakings, in Eastern Inner Mongolia, of the subjects of Japan and citizens of China, in agriculture and industries auxiliary thereto.