The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-17
Articles Of Alliance Between
Japan and China.
The Influence Of Western
Civilization.
A Few Grains of Wheat in an
:" Ocean Of Chaff

cations Of their newly acquired experience has
been to provide for o revision OF their
treaties, most OF which were forced upon
them during their ignorance and hostility to for
egners, and is In part with reference to this that
the Embassy was despatched. But while they are
thus endeavoring to place themselves on footing
Of equality ana to adopt the customs OF Western
nations, they have also set aside the slumberng
anlmosity OF centuries and sought 10 cultivate the
good viii Of the neighb0ring government and peO-
pie OF China.
Early In the spring OF 1871 an Embassy was sent
from Japan to China, having for Its object an adj.
)ustment OF the relations between the TWO empires
and the formation Of q treaty in which, as 1t ap-
pears, should be Incorporated some OF the princi-
pres OF Western policy 80 long ana pertnaciously
resisted by botn 1t was not before June that the
Embassy reached TELL Tsin Tho summer and part
OF the fall were gone before the negotia-
tons took FORM and 1t is not yet known
whether the result Of the slow and lengthy deibera.
lions Will be approved and ratified by the respective
Emperors.) Whatever may DO the result In this re-
spect the HERALD Is able to give translation OF the
several articles agreed upon by the representatives
Of the two Powers, which have not yet been made
public slight examination only Will DC required
TO show how influential Western ideas nave become
In the East. 1t must be borne In mind that
two Eastern nations were treating with each other,
and whatever appears In the result as distinctvey
Western Is the effect OF the change impressed upon
them by contact and experience with civilization
not their own. The articles Of a proposed treaty
could not be presented already prepared to one
party, and assent demanded half enforced, as
more Than likely would have been the case had one
party been European. The enunciation and adop-
ton OF any principles OF international law OF
their own accord, US were the provisions for the
cultivation and protection OF commerce.
1t Is understood that bOtn nations entered on the
negotiations on terms OF equality although the
initiative was taken by Japan. 1t Is possible, how
ever, that the careful examiner and one skilled
somewhat In the mysteries OF Oriental customs and
rank, may discover some few and not very impor.
tant particulars In which Japan has not quite neld
her own. .r,,-a- .er
Article second, for instance, which aims at pro.
viding for mutual assistance IN case OF the complt |
cation OF either nation with foreign Power Is
thought as likely TO operate for the present. at
least to the benefit OF China. The establishment OF
an army anu navy by Japan, equipped with the best
China-makes this, however imperfect, al
lance a desirable one, and its admission
sought early IN the negotiations A similar
renectlon s impressed by the provisions Of article
ties from iavorng belligerent IN case the other is
war; Taxing the Two articles together 1t Will be
10Y freeing herself from The causes OF foreign hos.
tlty, mas bound itself IN support OF government
Of fSte,9ners and are httA disposed to change or
cOnClliaLe.
into articles Tor the Chinese over the Japanese
language as medium or offcial communication,
and tine provision requiring a copy OF all CORE.
spOndence on the part of Japan TO be furnished IN
Chinese exhibits a Difference towards CHINA that Is
inat provision is made In article 10 Tor
dispensing with the arms always worn by Japanese
sent position and Office, and It is with no shall
reason apprenended tnat TINS may prove distaseiul
OF the insignia OF rank. 1t Is ALREADY runored
That opposition shown In Japan 10 the ratification
be definitely known, and the causes are only
conJectured. Whatever NAV be the result whether
ned, or finally rejected the noticeable fact VIII Yet
remain that Great China and Great Japan-in their |
%sseo q eT
differences and providing for mutual intercourse
terms OF comfy and equality.
The Treaty.
THE PREAMBLE.
The preamble opens with statement of the OBJ |
jects Of the treaty, which are repI esented tO be
desire on the part of both nations to maintain and
increase the long stan0ing good feeling between |
them, and that to this end Great China has APP
pointed as her plenpotentiary HIS Highness Earl.
Le (IIung Chang, President OF the Board |
OF War, Guardian OF the Heir Apparent, |
secretary Of Commerce ana Chancellor OF State, |
and Great Japan has appointed Tsung high Minis |
ter OF state, and two Ministers, + and Tab. These
representatives OF the two nations have full powers
from their respective sOverelgns and are instructed
to deliberate on articles OF amity which each nation
snail exert itself to maintain in good faith forever.
They have agreed upon the foll0wing:-
ARTICLE l.
China and Japan shall regard each other with
mutual and equal respect. Without tnls the tran
guilty OF neither can be maintained, and no Oppor
tunity snail be lost to increase the good Will now
existing and preserve the same through all tlme
ARTICLE IL
In case complications shall arise with other
countries states the part Of either OF the con-
deTradatton the one so suffering shall pe entitled,
on communicating its wish to the other, to AID ami
assistance. Each shall, moreover, at all times
be Wiling to lend their influence In behalf OF the
other .,,,
The difference In the laws OF the two nations is
recognized and 1t agreed that the local laws OF
ana no attempt shall be made on the part OF either
TO alter laws OF the other because OF the prOvs
ions OF this treaty. The laws Ol each naLlon snail
be used to project the SUBJECTS merchants aud
traders OF The other.
The Plenipotentiaries, Ambassadors and Ministers
oil two nations snail ENJOY the right of access 10
the posts 10 which they have been accreuiteu with
lands anu houses for official purposes, out these
ADJUSTMENTS shall be provided at tnelr own ex-
pense, and not mat OF the nation 10 which they
accredited. They shall also nave the right to bring
with them the outfits ior such establishments with
out RESTRICTION Freedom sna! DC allowed to
courlers In the conveyance of Official communlca-
tons to the respective governments.
ARTICLE v.
The correspondence Of the representatives or the
two nations shall be carried on as nearly as may be
possible between officials OF similar RANK and grade.
Although officials VI the respective nations nave the
same rank and titles their functions Differ. The
correspondence snail be between those whose rank
and functions most nearly agree An Inferior In grade
shall always give precedence to higher, and extend
10 him all the ceremonies attaching to his grade.
No correspondence snail pass directly from an In
eri0r to superior but must be addressed to the
ofical nearest his rank. When personal interviews
are sought the name and rank must appear on the
card, and on The arrival OF representative mca-
alres must he taken 10 prevent forgery OF his
name and title by transmitting a communication