inese Government even freely altered
those articles which the Imperial Government, in a compromising
spirit, have formulated in accordance with the statement of the
Chinese Representatives thereby making the statements of the
Representatives an empty talk; and on seeing them conceding with the
one hand and withholding with the other it is very difficult to
attribute faithfulness and sincerity to the Chinese authorities.

As regards the articles relating to the employment of advisers, the
establishment of schools, and hospitals, the supply of arms and
ammunition and the establishment of arsenals and railway concessions
in South China in the revised proposals they were either proposed
with the proviso that the consent of the Power concerned must be
obtained, or they are merely to be recorded in the minutes in
accordance with the statements of the Chinese delegates, and thus
they are not in the least in conflict either with Chinese
sovereignty or her treaties with the Foreign Powers, yet the Chinese
Government in their reply to the proposals, alleging that these
proposals are incompatible with their sovereign rights and treaties
with Foreign Powers, defeat the expectations of the Imperial
Government. However, in spite of such attitude of the Chinese
Government, the Imperial Government, though regretting to see that
there is no room for further negotiations, yet warmly attached to
the preservation of the peace of the Far East, is still hoping for a
satisfactory settlement in order to avoid the disturbance of the
relations.

So in spite of the circumstances which admitted no patience, they
have reconsidered the feelings of the Government of their
neighbouring country and, with the exception of the article relating
to Fukien which is to be the subject of an exchange of notes as has
already been agreed upon by the Representatives of both nations,
will undertake to detach the Group V from the present negotiation
and discuss it separately in the future. Therefore the Chinese
Government should appreciate the friendly feelings of the Imperial
Government by immediately accepting without any alteration all the
articles of Group I, II, III, and IV and the exchange of notes in
connection with Fukien province in Group V as contained in the
revised proposals presented on the 26th of April.