The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-25
The Treaty with Japan.

The Treaty with Japan.
The HAYES Administration can scarcely
move without blundcr; hence the recent
report that IL had been guilty OF n very
serious blundcr, or something worse than n
blundcr, in the treaty negotiated with ia
pan last summer, and confirmed by the SEN
ate in December was entirely credible.
Japan now has commercial treaties with
the United States, Great Britain. France,
Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland. Austria, Greece, Den
mark, Sweden, Hawaii, Peru. and China,
which are similar in most respects. The
bargain driven with her by the leading
powers on this list was hard and humili-
ating one. for it robbed her Of the control Of
her own revenues and OF her coasting trade
Japan has for some time sought to do two
things-iirst. to be freed from these dis
graceful foreign restrictions; ami. secondly,
to do this by separate treaties thus showing
hcrscltto be an independent nation, capable
OF acting with other nations individually,
and lot as II she must be mcnaced in con-
cert.
In due time, then, tho news reached Yoko-
hama that a separate treaty had been signed
b. the United States and japan. in lieu OF
all former conventions. Under this treaty
the right Of Japan TO control her coasung
trade, and also to adjust her tariff on i'm
ports to suit herself, was recognized on the
other side, Japan agreed to abolish all cX-
port duties. and TO open TO foreign trade
Simonoscki and one additional port.
So far as can be judged, the terms Of the
treaty were crcditable to both nations
Rights were recognized and confirmed about
which there should be no dispute but which,
so far as Japan was concerned, had not been
conceded by foreign powers; in return, ia
pan removed certain obstacles to the free
dom Of trade. which could hardly fail to be
beneficial to the United States.
Under the influence Of the mutual salts
faction produced by this agreement, other
courtcsies were shown to the United States
by Japan Of an unprecedented and exclusive
character. The much exaggerated difficult
ties between tho latter and Corca having
been amicably adjusted Japan voluntarily
rendered her good Offices in the effort to es-
tablish treaty between the United States
and Corea, Offering to scni an American
Commissioner to the latter under Japanese
escort, with pledges OF japanese influence
and material aid On the suppositon that
such relations with Corca, aimed at Tor
years. are desirable, no better method could
have presented itself for securing them.
Added 10 the proler Of invaluable aid and
advice in respect to the mode Of diplomatic
dealing with an As.aticpcople so as to secure
the largest aud most enduring advantages,
IftftDl tn A l,kyaI hi. H.
ize for their own benefit, that desire 10 do
some favor to Japan which Corea would
presumably have ON he resumption Of long
suspended intercourse.
On the side Of the United States similar
tokens Of a growing cordialty toward Japan
were given. japan had complained that
her quarantine laws were not sufficiently
recognized and obcycd; and, so far as the
United States Consuls were concerned this
cause of grievance was forthwith re-
moved. In n word, American residents in
Japan were congratulatng themselves on
finding their country, through the first
formal recognition Of Japanese rights
which all nations ought to respect opening
relations with japan Of high commercial
importance.
These hopes have been suddenly destroyed.
The treaty is found To contain clause that
It shall take effect only when half dozen
European powers shall make similar trea-
ties. As some Of those European Govern
mcnts have hitherto been opposed to con-
ccding to Japan the rights which the new
treaty recognizes. it is by no means certain
that the efforts she Is now making to nego-
tiatc simiar separate treaties with them
will be successful. In that ease the vtiatlng
proviso in the treaty with the United States
will take effect, and the whole plan will prove
abortiye.
Again, as under this peculiar arrangement
the treaty will bc waste paper until that
European permission is accorded, in the
form Of similar treaties ii will be incum-
bent ON the United States to urge this
permission, To seek this favor is not a dig
niiicd plight for this country; what, then
shall we say Of refusal?
Wcro the treaty an agreement seeking
special advantages or a compact for this
countryto bo ashamed Of, the case might be
different. But the only advantages the
United States may yet from tho treaty will
arise from recognizing rights which Great
Britain and all other countries claim for
Themselves, and should concede also to
Japan. America would have enjoyed no
exclusive trade privileges, and she asks
none; but she would have enjoyed the
moral influence with Japan Of daring first
TO acknowledge Japanese rights, and there
by compelling other nations 30 do the same.
Tho evil Of failure will not end here. Japan
has looked with much instructive friend
ship and confidence to Amerca--our coun-
] try having no policy OF territorial conquest