New-York tribune., 1875-03-08
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE JAPANESE INDEMNITY FUND.
March 1878.


Among the bills which failed OF consideration, ~
having been reported from the Committee Oh ror'
egn Affairs on the Sd inst. was that when autno-
lied and directed the President to return TO tne
Government of the Empire of Japan the remainder
Of one-haf Of the indemnity due and lately palu 70
tho United States under the Convention between
the United States and Great Britain, France ana
Holland CT the one part and Japan of the other
signed at Yokohoma on the 22l of October, 10ti'
amounting to S375 900 with interest. Ii was further
proyided that there should remain under the
control of the Secretary of State the re-
mainder Of the Japanese indemnity 1unu,
the interest on the, same to be devoted
and paid Annually until otherwise ordered. under
the direction Of the Secretary OF state, to the cuu
cation in the japanese language OF number } 9i
Young men, with power also at his discretion, WIN
portion of said interest. to cause limited nninDcr
Of japanese youths TO be educated In our language,
all of such persons OF either nation, TO De uhueI
obligations 70 serve the Government OF the Cniteo
States for specified time, not exceeding five years.
as interpreters and assistants In diplomatic cpHsn-
lar, and commercial intercourse between the GOV GOV
Crnment aud people o. the United Otate5 anu 'ho
Government and people OF Japan
OPERATION OF TAX AND TARIFF ACT
II is officially announced that the new rates or
duty takes effect March 3. except goods named
in the bill in warehouse, and except on those on
shipboard Feb 10. 1875. Collectors are instructed
to add TO the calculated duties on all sugars . per
centun. The abatement of 10 per centum is 10
longer allowed. Boiling cloths are free. The fres-
dent signed the Revenue act on the 81 inst. By
the instructions from the Secretary OF the
Treasury and tho Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue the act went into eject after
midnight Of the 2l inst upon all articles except
spirits which were not chGl2Cd the Gddltlcnai ~
cents or total OF % cents Ter allon until TIE am
inst The Internal Revenue Office rules that Wnen
the same csteru cont9li erlrttS produccd neiprc
and after midnight of tho Sd inst. the burden OF
nroof rests on the dis,ier to show the precise guam
tity distilled On the 3D. Unless satisfactory cVi-
dence is given to the Collector of the quantity 50
produced the whole contents must be stamped AZ ~
cents and the uistiiler Lett to lis cklin ior Ie-
fund
PROJECTED NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN.
The presentation speech OF Minister Cushing to
King Alfonso will contain only the customary formal
expression of friendship on the palt OF tho United
States for Spain Hc however, has specific instruc-
tions to govern him the negotiations which were
initiated under the late Republican Government
and now remain to be cOnsummated These neg0tia-
lions contemplate full settlement OF all questions
pending between the two governments, whlle MIL
lister Cushing like lis predecessors, viii also exert
himself to negotiate a new treaty of commerce and
navigation, none of that character having been
made with Spain since 1895. Some favorable ar
rauccments respecting our trade with Cuba con-
tiuue to be pressed by Government. IL IL prop
able that the Department OF state will during the
present Executive ss0n OF the senate trahSlnit 10
tLat body sundTy documents on tho suDyece OF our
affairs with SPAN.