—­Note—­

Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the
Republic of China.

Excellency,

A report has reached me to the effect that the Chinese Government has the intention of permitting foreign nations to establish, on the coast of Fukien Province, dock-yards, coaling stations for military use, naval bases, or to set up other military establishments; and also of borrowing foreign capital for the purpose of setting up the above-mentioned establishments.  I have the honour to request that Your Excellency will be good enough to give me reply stating whether or not the Chinese Government really entertains such an intention.

I avail, etc.,

(Signed) Hioki Eki.

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 which I have noted.

In reply I beg to inform you that the Chinese Government hereby declares that it has given no permission to foreign nations to construct, on the coast of Fukien Province, dock-yards, coaling stations for military use, naval bases, or to set up other military establishment; nor does it entertain an intention of borrowing foreign capital for the purpose of setting up the above-mentioned establishmments.

I avail, etc.,

(Signed) Lou Tseng-tsiang.

His Excellency, Hioki Eki, Japanese Minister.

DOCUMENTS IN GROUP IV

(1) The Draft of the Permanent Constitution completed in May, 1917.

(2) The proposed Provincial System, i.e., the local government law.

(3) Memorandum by the Ministry of Commerce on Tariff Revision, illustrating the anomalies of present trade taxation.

(4) The leading outstanding cases between China and the Foreign Powers.

DRAFT OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION OF CHINA

(As it stood on May 28th, 1917, in its second reading at the Constitutional Conference.)

The Constitutional Conference of the Republic of China, in order to enhance the national dignity, to unite the national dominion, to advance the interest of society and to uphold the sacredness of humanity, hereby adopt the following constitution which shall be promulgated to the whole country, to be universally observed, and handed down unto the end of time.

CHAPTER I. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Article 1.  The Republic of China shall forever be a consolidated Republic.

CHAPTER II.  NATIONAL TERRITORY