Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-08

round the conference table at the foreign Office
during the recent meetings. And il was con-
stantly the case that some of the smallest of
the powers. representing some of the most
trumpery interests. made the most difficulties
Fancy Japans autonomy depending on the
consent of Belgium or Denmark or Hawaii or
Peru, The notion is ludicrous But what is
Japan to do!
TIE CONFERENCE PLAN.
One thing seems quite clear to disposition
ate outsider studying the situation for the first
time. The conference" business is PLAYED
out fancy that the proceedings at the con-
ferenees would make amusing reading If they
could ever be published Some of the repre-
ssntatives had no interests to safeguard except
their own personal dignity. and their efforts to
- fare rdtOi- and thus TO show the importance
of an office which had no reason for existence,
must have been as amusing to their colleagues
as they We're irritating 20 the Japanese II il
said that the blessings which attend the peace
maker ahghted more than once upon the colos-
sal frame OF MS eXcellency. Governor Richard
u. Hubbard Governor Dick" Of Texas). the
American minister. As for the chickering's and
trlylaitles and Jealousies among the diplomat
lists, volume would hardly contain them As
one example of the importation of Euro
Pean jealousles TO Japan. will il be believed
that when funeral service was held here at
the German legation on the death Of the En-
Peror Frederick. and all the ships in Yokohama
haTbor Ialf-masted their flags and .'cockbilled"
steam aud put to sea rather than perform this
act of common international good feeling?
And as one among a thousand trivialities is il
not almost Incredible, though perfectly true
that considerable time wasted and temper
exhibited at the conference over a discussion
whether the japanese government should be at
liberty TO confer decorations upon foreign
judges IN their employ? / believe this was one
OF the occasions when Governor Dick" put
his foot down. Decidedly. the conference
Mani zr.la 1sL
dot wish 10 convey the impression that this is
the view OF the japanese government.
THE KEY TO THE SOLUTION
glance at the foregoing table reveals the
Key to the solution -Four countries of the six
teen do s7l,0OO,O00 of Japan's trade out of
the S'S co, 900. and their subjects form over
2.OsS out Of the 2.3S9 foreign residents. In
fact. therefore. Japan need only concern her
self with those four-Great Britain. the United
states rance and Germany. There is one
other power. however. with which, il is 10
Japans interest for reasons of international
politics % be on the best of terms although
her trade with II Is at present small. namely
Eussla tilven the approval of Great Britain.
France. Germany. the United States and Rus
ria. to any scheme Of treaty revision. and
Japan need not give second thought to all
the rest put together. But are these five pre-
pared TO cOneede the abolition Of extra-terri-
tOrlailty and tariff revision? France il will
obviously be objected. would be difficult to
bring into line with GERMANY This is true
therefore let US leave out France for the mo-
ment and consider the others. On this point I
am able to speak with some certainty. The
United States are ready to agree to
treaty revision tomorrow. Nothing but
the most friendly re,-tions exist between
them and Japan. and public opinion in Amer
lea would not sanction a refusal 70 do SO.
Germany bent all her energies for some time
TO secure the dominant foreign influence in
japan. and what is more she succeeded in
obtaining the position she so naturally
coveted Her representative would hasten 10
be the trst To agree if Japan were TO privately
propose such cooperation. Russia would be
very glad OF the opportunity of laying Japan
under big obligation and would acquiesce
after ten minutes confidential conversat; on
with the minister for foreign affairs. Russia
instructions TO her representative here are 10
avoid any interference with domestic affairs
IN Japan and not TO place any obstacle (coatre-
carer was the world in the way of the legiti-
mate aspirations Of the japanese people Her
ministers position = an Olynpian one-he
looks on; or in other words, the handsome
Russian legation in Tokyo is post of observa-
ton And France? Frankly, if the other four
powers were friendly, it would not fatally
matter whether France agreed or not. although
II would probably be uni ust to her to antici-
pate any but most friendly attitude. II she
did not like the new treaty offered her. how
ever. she would not be likely to fight to retain
The present one. There remains England.
THE ATTITUDE OF ENGLAND
Is incompre hensible, and this is not merely nv
own opinion but the opinion of five men out Of
ax mere who follow foreign politics intelligent
~. 10 begin at the end. the most stril ing re.
cent political fact in Japan has been the decline
OF Enghsn influence and prestige here, anC
England stands at this moment on lower plan,
N Japan than she has ever occupied before
20 dozen occasions have Japanese feeling,
been wounded, English influence in Japan seri
ousiy damaged and all for nothing at ali. Thi,
Is why say that the English attitude is ineom
prehensible. VIII
THE TRUMP CARD
The japanese rightly regard the opening O
the whole country to foreign residence ant
trade as the trump card they have to play
and since the rupture Of the revision negotia
tions they have been enforcing passport regp
iations with strictness unknown in time o
more friendly feeling So, too, in the matte
OF trademarks. Up 20 a few months ago
whenever the British minister complained /.
the fore On Office that japanese were counter
feiting English trademarks, the authorities
although there is no protection for trademark