"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."
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 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.