I have the honour to state that, inasmuch as preparations have to be made regarding Articles 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day, the Chinese Government proposes that the operation of the said Articles be postponed for a period of three months beginning from the date of the signing of the said Treaty.
I hope your Government will agree to this proposal.
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 "inasmuch as preparations have to be made regarding Articles 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Treaty respecting South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia signed this day, the Chinese Government proposes that the operation of the said Articles be postponed for a period of three months beginning from the date of the signing of the said Treaty."
In reply, I beg to state that I have taken note of the same.