Excellency,
I have the honour 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.
I avail, etc.,
(Signed) HIOKI EKI.
His Excellency,
Lou Tseng-tsiang,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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,