The record-union., 1894-09-17
Special to the REcoRD-Uxrox.

oAN FRANCISCO, sept. Ib.-Ihe steamer
Oceanic arrived here this morning from
Hongkong and Yokohama, bringing
japanese advices to Septem ber I'd. Little
or no intelligence was brought from
China direct, and the following notice
which appears at the head of the editorial
column of the China Gazette seems to in
dicate the difficulty of obtaining reliable
information from Chinese sources: "In
the present position of affairs it is utterly
useless to attempt to get any reliable in
formation on the Chinese wires or from
Chinese sources, and we are compelled
therefore to wait until the Japanese Off
cial acts of the progress of the war are
first published, and then get them tele-
graphed here. The Chinese have, by
their disgraceful mendacity in the Kow
Shing affairs, and their refusal to trans
nit any telegram which does not glorify
them and mislead the public as to their
true condition, cut themselves off from
all chance Of their representatives being
believed by people who want to get all
the TRUTH
The Oceanic brings the following cor
respondence from ok ohama under date
of September I'd:
The revised treaty between Japan and
England was ratified at Toxic August
18th. For the first time the United
States has failed to take advantage of
the Japanese desire to deal primarily with
the Great Republic in important national
transactions. The opinion expressed in
Japan is that negotiations at Washing
ton might have been concluded long ago
if the State Department had been dis
posed to act upon Japanese proposals. AS
1t is, Great Britain stands ahead in the
enactment of the treaty which the Asiatic
power has been urging for twenty years.
On a previous occasion it was nearly
brought to conclusion by Count
Okuma, but at the last moment his plans
were defeated by the'violent demonstra-
tions in Japan against his method of ad-
justing the yexed question of the Judi
ciary. 1t was therefore thought expedi-
ent to keep these latter negotiations
strictly secret, and to allow none of the
proposed conditions to become subject
of popular discussion until the affair was
absolutely terminated. The announce
ment first made by the Emperor was a
surprise to every one, though vague
rumors of what was contemplated had
been circulated during the last few weeks.
The treaty conters no immediate ad-
vantages upon japan. At least five years
must elapse before it goes into operation
and it IS for Japan to say whether or not
the interval shall be longer, but until
1899 everything must remain as it is now
The purpose of this delay is that Japan
shall perfect her judicial system to an
extent warranting the abolition of Eng
lish law courts.
The existence of foreign tribunals is
one of japanese chief grievances, and
these so far as Great Britain is concerned
will cease at the appointed time. The
other grievance, the interference with the
~ r.
1910 until complete autonomy may be re-
sumed by the simple process of termi-
mating the treaty. But from 1889, or what
ever date the Japanese assign for the
agreement to come in force, until eleven
years later, then it may be Cancelled by
either party and partially new tariff
would be adopted, somewhat more favor
able to Japan than that which regulates
her commerce, but not strikingIy So
The import duties now collected average
D per cent. ad valorem. Under the new
British schedule the average is estimated
at from to per cent. Only twenty
nine articles, some of which are so subdi-
vided as to make the total appear thirty
nine, are raised above the former rates.
Of these, silks and sole leather are fixed
at Is per cent The majority, including
paraffine oil. are fixed at 10 per cent. The
actual computation. however, will not be
ad valorem. By supplementary con-
vention specific duties Will be applied on
the basis of average prices as shown by
the customs returns for six months.
The dutiable value of imports will in
clude freights, insurance and commits
sion, items not heretofore reckoned. AS
regards export duties it does not appear
that any changes are proposed.
The position OF EngliSmen in Japan
will be in most respects identified with
that of native subjects. Buildings may
L. - IN,,t L
leases. 1t is evident that in negotiating
this treaty Japan has not consulted the
present gain SO much as the security for
the future. The difficulties of the exist
ing system have grown TO be intolerable
to her, and she would almost have con-
sented to sacrifices for a time to be as
sured of positive release at a designated
period. Five years hence British extra
territorial jurisdiction will be abolished.
and Japan expects that the other Powers
will likewise close their consular courts,
Fifteen years hence she hopes similarly to
be rid of all commercial restrictions. The
burdens of the internal taxes are not felt
TO be too heavy price to pay for ultimate
freedom.
All persons concerned in preparing and
negotiating the treaty have been honored
with high marks of consideration by the
Japanese Government Tie Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mutau Minutusu, has
been raised to the title of Viscount and
given grant of 400, 600 yen, about $40. 600
IN gold. He was Minister at Washington
five years ago, and was well known and
popular in the eastern part of the United
States. He negotiated the American
treaty with Japan. Viscount Aoki. jap
anese Envoy at London, receives the first.
class decoration of the Rising Sun and
an annuity of 740 yen. Mr.. Haashi, Vice.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, is awarded
the medal of the second class, as also III.
w. Denison, the American legal ad wiser
of the Foreign Office, and II. Won Sie-
bold, an attache of the London Legation.
The services of Messrs Sato, Uchidao
and Nakada, Secretaries of the Foreign
Office, are recompensed by decorations of
lower degree.
1t is curious to observe that the best
tariff Japan can now get from England is
far less beneficial to her than attached to
the treaty of 1858, negotiated by Town
send Harris, first Envoy from the
United States, Harris might have inn
posed any terms that suited him, but
with just regard for what he believed to
be Japan's interests, he arranged sched-
ule, the average of which was about 20
per cent, some articles being rated as
high as 81 per cent
The whole country between the capi-
tai and the gulf is in great agitation. Cor
respondents from the interior write to
the China Gazette that. Intense terror
pervades the entire north of the empire -
The report is circulated that LII Hung
Chang, though now "a years old, will be