File No. 551/55–56.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State
.
American Legation,
Peking
,
June 29,
1907.
No. 660.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for
the information of the department a copy in translation of a note
received from the Prince of Ch’ing, dated June 28, 1907, in which it is
stated that in further compliance with the provisions of the agreement
signed between Japan and China on December 22, 1905, the cities of
Feng-huangcheng, Liaoyang, Ningkuta, Hunchun, San-hsing, Hai-la-erh, and
Aihun, in the Provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, and Heilungchiang, in
Manchuria, have been declared open to international trade.
It will be noted that the right of foreigners to lease land has been
withheld until special renting and building regulations have been
promulgated by China.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Prince of Ch’ing
to Minister Rockhill
.
Foreign Office,
Peking
,
June 28,
1907.
Your Excellency: According to Article I of
the agreement between Japan and China with reference to Manchuria,
China agreed to open to international trade certain cities in the
Provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, and Heilungchiang, such opening to be
undertaken by China herself as soon as the territory should be
evacuated by the Japanese and Russian troops.
My board, in accordance with this agreement, has already at different
times announced the opening at the following places, viz:
Hsinmintun, Tiehling, Tung-chiangtzu, and Fakunem, in the Provice of
Fengtien; Changchun, Kirin, and Harbin, in the Province of Kirin;
and Tsitsihar and Manchouli, in the Province of Heilungchiang.
It now appears that both the Russian and Japanese troops have been
withdrawn from Fenghuangcheng and Liaoyang, in the Province of
Fengtien; from Ningkuta, Hunchun, and San-hsing, in Kirin; and from
Hai-la-erh and Aihun, in Heilungchiang. These places must therefore
be opened to international trade, and it becomes necessary to send
this announcement of the opening thereof. With regard to the leasing
of land by foreigners, however, it is hereby made known that special
renting and building regulations will be drawn up by China, and
until such regulations are decided upon such operations will not be
permitted.
It becomes my duty to send this dispatch for your excellency’s
information.
A necessary dispatch.
[Seal of the Waiwu Pu.]
