The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-23
JAPAN AND AMERICA.
SECRET HISTORY OF THE TREATY BETWEEN
JAPAN AND THE UNITED srATEs-wHAT WAS
AMID AT AND WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATESMAN WAS
AIMED AT AND WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
TOXIC. Jan. ~. 1879.
There circumstances hitherto untold. con-
nected with tho treaty recently negotiated between
the United States and Japan which should be pecul-
iarly interesting to American readers. They show
that, in spite of the watchtulness and activity of
British diplomacy i'll the far East. movement was
secretly instituted and virtually carried to CON-
pletion, by which the influence hitherto enjoyed
by English representatives in Japan would
have been suddenly and thoroughly absorbed By
those of the United States At all times America has
possessed degree of friendship and confidence here
which European State could rival. But by the
exercise of combined craft and menace the Envoy of
Great Britain has succeeded in maintaining a sway
which could effectively dispute. Some time
ago, however the plan conceived of establishing
a 3,ser alliance between the Empire and the Repub-
lie by means of new treaty which should restore
certain sovereign rights TO Japan, the deprivation of
which is her standing grievance. The ben
ehts to be mutual. 1t essential
that the movement be kept from the
knowledge suspicion of English agents. both
here and in Washington. for in the American
capital the British government has found the means
of pursuing an anti-Japarese policy during the past
few years This is apparent from the fact that
Legation in Japan has been transferred to Washing
ton and the results of their interference have been
unfailingly reflected at this seat of government
(Iokio).
THE TREATY IN DANGER.
1t VIII presently be shown that although the pre-
caution sufficient in japan. and that the English
Minister completely baifled, there is reason to
fear disarrangement IF the whole proceeding
through carclessness in America The terms of the
treaty settled and though the final adjustments
arranged by telegraph it believed that
every provision was satisfactorily insured both
I'm thn of 1ttIxr laSt
received here announcing that the document had
been signed at Washington four days previously. 1t
had already been thought desirable TO divert the at
tention of the British officials. for the
that the Japanese authorities are far from
sustSlh ih .neir own cause Win ide courdse
come them. The prolonged endurance of the
exaetions and expressions inflicted by the Envoy Of
England appears too often to have deprived them
of the power to assert their plainest and simplest
rights when he confronted them An American news
paper published here-the Toxic TiHaes--undertook
To prepare the way by IA series of articles urgently
advocating the expediency Of just such convention
as was in process of preparation and thus gradu
ally accustom the English mind TO the unexpected
transaction, that when the real news should come
the shock would be more easily sustained.
BEWARE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The appearance OF these articles produced more
than the anticipated effect. The British Minister.
government, and denounced them as a nefarious at
tempt to instigate the japanese to course which
would give the United States the commanding posi-
ton here and would prove runous to British inter-
ests. These dispatches were sent hence about the
middle OF August and 1t was further urged
in America to avert the contamination of SO
formidable alliance. The Minister'S CONSERVATION
may be imagined when, fortnight later he received
intelligence from London by telegraph that the
treaty was actually signed and that lie required
to inform himself to its nature and details. The
explosion that followed in the legation is declared
have been wholly beyond precedent. Sir II. Parkes
flew in haste to the Japanese Foreign Office and de.
manded full informaton but, for once he was put
off with an evasion. His position
tainy awkward. His letters proclaiming the down.
their way home, and the discovery was forced
upon him. not that he had been outwitted but that
he had outwitted himself. For q considerable time
it appeared that the discontinue would hold him in
check during the brief remaining period Of his
the treaty was not all that had been originally
expected. The whole facts have come to public light
within few days, the government knowing that.
after the presentation of the treaty to the United
States Senate NO further concealment would be
practicable.
HOSTILE HAND
II is painfully evident that some hostile hand
has been at work in the manipulation of the doom
ment and the indications point English influence
at Washington 1t is certain, the first place. that
news of the signing of the treaty sent from
America to England and from England to the envoy
here before any information could have been lcgit
mately revealed Now it is disclosed that single
clause has been surrepttiously introduced which alb
solutely vitiates and nullifes the whole business,
This is the article which provides that the
treaty shall go into effect when similar
treaties with all other Powers shall be concluded
1t il impossible to conceive of more wretched
sequur 1t makes the treaty bundle OF waste
paper The only valuable result of the arrangement
would have been tor America to lead the way with
original treaty the ratification OF which would COM
pei all the other Powers to follow suit They could
not have avoided il. and America would have taken
the front stand in every kind OF influence and moral
power here. Now the opportunity is wasted. The
performance turns out a mere farce OF course the
European governments, with England at the head
will never conclude such treaty so long as they can
avoid it. tits beevedb by England to be diametricaly
adverse to British commercial interests.
LETHAIsGY OF THE srATE DEPARTMENT.
To Americans in Japan 1t seems extraordinary that
the State Department should not have been sensible
Of the improperly of allowing its actions to be
regulated by the caprices of European Powers.
That is what it amounts to. The United States say
to Japan, I'VE will pledge ourselves to this treaty
if the nations of Europe will allow us TO abide by
it,. 1t is needless TO say that the Japanese rulers
are astounded and bcwildercd. Mr.. Bingham.
the United States Minister. left Japan both dis
gusted and indignant, the officials at Washington
have doubtless learned. What will be the ultimate
consequence is uncertain Japan may, as a formality.
ratfy the treaty, but the government nothing
for it, and is utterly annoyed and grieved at recev
ing such blow from the country upon whose good
will il chiefly relied.