I have the honour to state that the places which ought to be opened as Commercial Ports by China herself, as provided in Article 6 of the Treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia 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.
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 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 6 of the Treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia 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.,