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to the signatory Powers of the Nine-Power Treaty. The Members of the League and the signatory Powers of the Nine-Power Treaty would take note of this Declaration, which would be stated to have for the Chinese Government the binding character of an international engagement.
The conditions under which subsequent revision of the Declaration, if required, might take place would be laid down in the Declaration itself, as agreed to in accordance with the procedure suggested hereabove.
The Declaration would distinguish between the powers of the Central Government of China in the Three Eastern Provinces and those of the autonomous local Government.
It is suggested that the powers to be reserved to the Central Government should be the following:
Powers to be reserved to the central Government.- The control of general treaty and foreign relations not otherwise provided for; it being understood that the Central Government would not enter into any international engagements inconsistent with the terms of the Declaration.
- The control of the Customs, the post office, and the salt Gabelle, and possibly of the administration of the stamp duty and the tobacco and wine taxes. The equitable division, between the Central Government and the Three Eastern Provinces, of the net income from these revenues would be determined by the Advisory Conference.
- The power of appointment, at least in the first instance, of the Chief Executive of the Government of the Three Eastern Provinces in accordance with the procedure to be laid down in the Declaration. Vacancies would be filled in the same way, or by some system of selection in the Three Eastern Provinces, to be agreed upon by the Advisory Conference and inserted in the Declaration.
- The power of issuing to the Chief Executive the carrying out of the international engagements entered into by the Central Government of China in matters under the administration of the autonomous Government of the Three Eastern Provinces.
- Any additional powers agreed upon by the Conference.
- All other powers would be vested in the autonomous Government of the Three Eastern Provinces.
Expression of local opinion.Some practical system might be devised to secure an expression of the opinion of the people on the policy of the Government, possibly through the traditional agency of the Chambers of Commerce, Guilds and other civil organisations.
Minorities.Some provision should also be made to safeguard the interests of White Russians and other minorities.
Gendarmerie.It is suggested that a special gendarmerie should be organised, with the collaboration of foreign instructors, which would be the only armed force within the Three Eastern Provinces. The organisation of the gendarmerie should either be completed within a period to be specified in advance, or the time of its completion should be determined in accordance with a procedure to be laid down in the Declaration. As this special corps would be the only armed force in the territory of the Three Eastern Pro-Vinces, its organisation, When completed, should be followed by the retirement from this territory of all other armed forces, including any special bodies of police or railway guards, whether Chinese or Japanese.
Foreign advisers.An adequate number of foreign advisers would be appointed by the Chief Executive of the autonomous Government, of whom a substantial proportion should be Japanese. The details would be worked out by the procedure described above and would be stated in the Declaration. Nationals of small States, as well as of the Great Powers, would be eligible.
The appointment of two foreigners of different nationalities to have supervision of (1) the constabulary and (2) the fiscal administration would