I avail, etc.,

(Signed) LOU TSENG-TSIANG.

His Excellency,
Hioki Eki,
Japanese Minister.

APPENDIX

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 for ever be a consolidated Republic.

CHAPTER II.  NATIONAL TERRITORY

Art. 2.  The National Territory of the Republic of China shall be in accordance with the dominion hithertofore existing.

No change in National Territory and its divisions can be made save in accordance with the law.

CHAPTER ...  GOVERNING AUTHORITY

Art ...  The power of Government of the Republic of China shall be derived from the entire body of citizens.

CHAPTER III.  THE CITIZENS

Art. 3.  Those who are of Chinese nationality according to law shall be called the citizens of the Republic of China.

Art. 4.  Among the citizens of the Republic of China, there shall be, in the eyes of the law, no racial, class, or religious distinctions, but all shall be equal.

Art. 5.  No citizens of the Republic of China shall be arrested, detained, tried, or punished save in accordance with the law.  Whoever happens to be detained in custody shall be entitled, on application therefore, to the immediate benefit of the writ of habeas corpus, bringing him before a judicial court of competent jurisdiction for an investigation of the case and appropriate action according to law.

Art. 6.  The private habitations of the citizens of the Republic of China shall not be entered or searched except in accordance with the law.

Art. 7.  The citizens of the Republic of China shall have the right of secrecy of correspondence, which may not be violated except as provided by law.