Annexes 6 and 7
Exchange of Notes Between the Japanese and Chinese Commissioners for Treaty Revision Regarding the Opening of the City of Peking
From Chinese Commissioners to Japanese Commissioners
Shanghai, August 10, 1903 (Chinese Calendar)
Gentlemen,
According to the provision of Article X of this Treaty, regarding the establishment in Peking of a place of international residence and trade, it is agreed that in case of and after the complete withdrawal of the foreign troops, now guarding the Legations and Communications, a place in Peking outside the Inner City, convenient to both parties and free from objections, shall be selected and set apart as a place where merchants of all nationalities may reside and carry on trade. Within the limits of this place merchants of all nationalities shall be at liberty to lease land, build houses and warehouses, and establish places of business; but as to the leasing of houses and land belonging to Chinese private individuals, there must be willingness on the part of the owners and the terms thereof must be equitably arranged without any force or compulsion. All roads and bridges in this place will be under the jurisdiction and control of China. Foreigners residing in this place are to observe the Municipal and Police Regulations on the same footing as Chinese residents, and they are not to be entitled to establish a Municipality and Police of their own within its limits except with the consent of the Chinese authorities. When such place of international residence and trade shall have been opened and its limits properly defined, the foreigners who have been residing scattered both within and without the city walls, shall all be required to remove their residence thereto and they shall not be allowed to remain in separate places and thereby cause inconvenience in the necessary supervision by the Chinese authorities. The value of the land and buildings held by such foreigners shall be agreed upon equitably and due compensation therefore shall be paid. The period for such removal shall be determined in due time, and those who do not remove before the expiry of this period shall not be entitled to compensation.
We have considered it to be to our mutual advantage to come to the present basis of understanding in order to avoid future unnecessary negotiations, and we beg that Your Excellencies will consider and agree to it and will favour us with a reply.
We have the honour to be, etc.
From Japanese Commissioners to Chinese Commissioners
Shanghai, October 8, 1903
Gentlemen,
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellencies' despatch of this date in which you state that—
"According to the provision of Article
X of this Treaty, regarding the establishment in Peking of a place of international residence and trade, it is agreed that in case of and after the complete withdrawal of the foreign troops, now guarding the Legations and Communications, a place in Peking outside the Inner City, convenient to both parties and free from objections, shall be selected and set apart as a place where merchants of all nationalities may reside and carry on trade. Within the limits of this place merchants of all nationalities shall be at liberty to lease land, build houses and warehouses, and establish places of business; but as to the leasing of houses and land belonging to Chinese private individuals, there must be willingness on the part of the owners and the terms thereof must be equitably arranged without any force or compulsion. All roads and bridges in this place will be under the jurisdiction and control of China. Foreigners residing in this place are to observe the Municipal and Police Regulations on the same footing as Chinese residents, and they are not to be entitled to establish a Municipality and Police of their own within its limits except with the consent of the Chinese authorities. When such place of international residence and trade shall have been opened and its limits properly defined, the foreigners who have been residing scattered both within and without the city walls, shall all be required to remove their residence thereto and they shall not be allowed to remain in separate places and thereby cause inconvenience in the necessary supervision by the Chinese authorities. The value of the land and buildings held by such foreigners shall be agreed upon equitably and due compensation therefor shall be paid. The period for such removal shall be determined in due time, and those who do not remove before the expiry of this period shall not be entitled to compensation.
"We have considered it to be to our mutual advantage to come to the present basis of understanding in order to avoid future unnecessary negotiations, and we beg that Your Excellencies will consider and agree to it and will favour us with a reply."
In reply we beg to inform you that we agree generally to all the terms contained in the despatch under acknowledgement. As to the detailed regulations, these shall in due time be considered and satisfactorily settled in accordance with Article X of this Treaty; but it is understood that such regulations shall not differ in any respect to our prejudice from those which may be agreed upon between China and other Powers. We have the honour to send Your Excellencies this communication in reply and for your information.
We have the honour to be, etc.