His Excellency,
Lou Tseng-tsiang,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
—Reply—
Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China.
Monsieur le Ministre,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of this day's date in which you state.
"The term lease by negotiation contained in Article 2 of the Treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day shall be understood to imply a long-term lease of not more than thirty years and also the possibility of its unconditional renewal."
In reply I beg to state that I have taken note of the same.
I avail, etc.,
(Signed) LOU TSENG-TSIANG.
His Excellency,
Hioki Eki,
Japanese Minister.