Upon the payment of the first two instalments of the war indemnity, herein stipulated, this place shall be evacuated by the Japanese forces, provided the Chinese government consents to pledge, under suitable and sufficient arrangements, the customs revenue of China as security for the payment of the principal and interest of the remaining instalments of the said indemnity. In the event no such arrangements are concluded, such evacuation shall only take place upon the payment of the final instalment of the said indemnity.
It is, however, expressly understood that no such evacuation shall take place until after the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty of commerce and navigation.
Art. 9. Immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this act all prisoners of war then held shall be restored, and China undertakes not to ill-treat or punish prisoners of war so restored to her by Japan. China also engages to at once release all Japanese subjects accused of being military spies or charged with any other military offences. China further engages not to punish in any manner, nor to allow to be punished, those Chinese subjects who have in any manner been compromised in their relations with the Japanese army during the war.
Art. 10. All offensive military operations shall cease upon the exchange of the ratifications of this act.
Art. 11. The present act shall be ratified by Their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of China, and ratifications shall be exchanged at Chefoo, on the 8th day of the 5th month of the 28th year of Meiji, corresponding to 14th day of the 4th month of the 21st year of Kuang-Hsü (May 8th, 1895).
In witness whereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.
Done at Shimonoseki, in duplicate, this 17th day of the 4th month of the 28th year of Meiji, corresponding to the 23rd day of the 3rd month of 21st year of Kuang-Hsü.
COUNT ITO HIROBUMI [L.L.],
Junii; grand cross of the imperial order of the Paullownia; minister president of state; plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
VISCOUNT MUTSU MUNEMITSU [L.L.],
Junii; first class of the imperial order of the Sacred Treasure; minister of state for foreign affairs; plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.