Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-01


foreign trade, on the one hand in exchange for
a certain measure of judicial autonomy being
granted TO her on the other. She stated.
namely, that her new criminal code was COM
plete. and had won the eulogy Of the most en-
inent European jurists, that her civil code
would shortly be finished. and that she would
agree to have every foreigner tried in Japan
by bench upon which properly qualified for
eign ridges should be in a majority. This
prof cred arrangement was promptly rejected
the British minister, believe, leading the OPP
position. and thus ringing down the curtain
upon Act /.
Act III was very weak. In the spring of 1894
a limited measure of judicial autonomy was
proposed to Japan. e., foreigners were to be
partially subject to Japanese law-on condi-
ton of a few more accessible ports being
thrown open to foreign residence and trade.
But as was Immediately pointed out, first.
Jspan desired to open the whole country and
to have the whole of the judicial control, and
until this was done the present foreign ports
were more than enough. And for for,
eigners to be partly under Japanese law and
partly under foreign law, would be one de-
gree worse and more confusing, II possible,
than for them not to be subject to Japanese
law at all. SO long series of desultory mutual
communications dragged the question on vainly
and aimlessly till the summer OF 1886.
THE "ANaLo-GERMAS' NOTE.
Act III began at TINS time by amove from the
other side. Perhaps the best of the foreign
ministers were growing rather ashamed of their
attitude toward Japan. but whatever the mo-
tive power the British and German ministers,
Sir Francis Plunkett and Baron Won Holleben,
presented to Count Inouye the subsequently
famous "Anglo-German Note, proposing to re-
open negotiations upon virtually the terms of
the japanese proposal of four years before
the terms described as Act /. The proposal
was warmly welcomed and the sixteen repre-
sentatiyes of treaty powers met in the council
- H. .~<kss. fknv
week and month after month. When the con-
ference met in 1866 the proposed arrangement
contained four articles:
/. The whole of Japan to be thrown ope n to
foreign residence and trade.
e Extraordinarily or consular jurisdic-
ton to be abolished.
g. The tariff to be revised.
4. The Japanese codes to be in accordance
with the principles of western jurispru-
dence and competent courts established.
When the sixteen minister's and consuls and
the Japanese representative finally got into
line in April, 1887. and the proposals were sent
forward, the following gigantic conditions had
been evolved:
1. For the criminal portion of a total for
eign population of 5000 souls an array of
competent highly-paid foreign judges equal
in number to the whole English bench was
to be provided. These were to be ap-
pointed by Japan paid by Japan, but dis
missible however. not by Japan, but only
DIV their fellow Judges.
q Japanese and English were to be the
official languages of the court. but any
foreign tongue was to be admissible, and
therefore full staff of court interpreters
to be provided.
8. The new civil code to be communicated"
to the sixteen treaty powers eight months
before treaty revision comes into operation.
and every legal alteration or addition for
the subsequent fifteen years to be similar
ly communicated.
Such conditions surely need only to be stated
to be seen to be preposterous. and the consent
of a japanese statesman to them can only be
accounted for by an overwhelming desire to
see the fact of helplessness and the stigma of
barbarlty removed from his country at anv
price. rather than again indefinitely postponed.
No wonder that the American minister sprang
to his feet in the conference chamber and ex-
claimed Indignantly. gentlemen, we are sit
ting here legislating for Japan!' For as rep
resentative of one of the great powers said 20
me few days ago Il quote his exact words).
1T was bowling shame to let Japan put her
hand to such an unfair bargain"
THE END AT HAND.
In the meantime public opinion in Japan had
grown active on the subject of treaty revision
and as soon as these conditions were under
stood it made itself felt in an unmistakeable
manner. Soon afterward Count Inouye re-
signed the portfolio of foreign affairs. Thus
everything was off once more. and SO il
remains. and the relations of Japan to the out
side world. in spite of all her efforts and every
argument of justice and policy, still date from
1858. should hardly have written at such
length, however, if the end-and perhaps a
startling and dramatic end-were not now
almost in sight.
Count 1nouye's resignation was dictated by
regard for his own dignity and was not de-
manded in any way by his colleagues or by
public opinion. His services to his country
have been too many and too great. and his
ability is too well-known. for him to be suffered
to remain long out of the government. Ac-
cordingly he has since accepted the important
portfolio of agriculture and commerce. and his
influence is as strong and as beneficial as it has
ever been.
The relations Of Japan with the powers at
home and abroad in the past and in the future,
and the personalities as well as the interra-
tional politics involved, not only in the matter
of treaty revision. but in the much wider
sphere of general prospects in the Pacific, form
very interesting chapter of contemporary
history. and one in which both England and
the United States are closely concerned
This must constitute the subject of my con-
GLIDING letter. As for the conclusion of the
drama have outlined above. am able to saw
that it viii not be long deferred. but in a word
that the first three acts already past the
fourth shall end the drama with the day."
HENRY NORMAN