The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-24
rnn NEW TREATY WITH JAPAN.


WAsHrsaror CRY. Nov. q. --Secre.ary
Of State Gresham, on behalf of the United
States, and Minister Kurino. ON behalf of
Japan, have sffixe their signatures 10 the
new treaty OF amity and commerce be-
tween this country and Japan. the final
formalitiss In relation 10 the instrument
occurred 1T the state department yester-
day after the close Of ofY,cs hours. Secre-
tary Gresham will now transmit the new
treaty 10 the United States senate a. soon
@ it convenes, and Mr.. Kurino will for
ward IL 20 the Japanese foreign ONCE 10 be
approved by she emperor Of Japan and
privy council. Coming at the present
time, the signing OF the treaty 10 consid-
cred 10 have = significance beyond its
actual terms, ~ Il establishes cordially
between the countries. when foreign
powers are sndsavoring to show that
Jspsn's rejection OF peace mediation was
. snub TO the United States.
The signing Of the treaty concludes q
labor which has been In progress for tif-
teen years. and 10 Wa With . special view
10 closing the long negotiations that
kurino was taken from an important post
in the japanese foreign Office and sent to
Washington City. The event will also
cause much comment in Great Britain,
Switzerland and other foreign countries,
AZ the action Of the United States affects
similar treaties abroad. That with Great
Britain 10 closed. and the ones with France
and Switzerland are largely dependent
upon the close Of the American negotla-
tlonN
The chief feature Of the new treaty Is its
recognition Of Japan ~ . civilized country.
Previous treaties have assumed that the
native courts we're 30 primitive and the
runishments 30 brutal that IL would not
be safe to trust British. American and
other foreign citizens 10 their
Jurisdiction. The new treaty rec
ognirss the japanese courts. and
does away with the offensive
foreign consular courts. But In order that
time may be given for the japanese judi
ciai syssem TO be further perfected the
date when they assume their new fune-
tions Is postponed for eve years. viz. Till
January, 1899. The same provision is in
the treaty with Great Britain and those
about to be concluded with France, swift
zsriand and other countries. SO that the
full recognition OF Japan's civilization
will be ushered Ia with the twentieth cen
tury.
The restriction OF japanese immigration
90 this country Is also an important
feature Of the new treaty. Japan has
readily acceded TO this. because, as she
claims. her citizens are not DESTROYS Of
smigrating in large numbers 20 America,
aud also because n Japanese law prohibits
them from emigrating contrary TO the
American contract labor Law.
The trade features of the treaty are said
10 BE framed with view Co developing
the commerce of both countries. In pre-
vious treaties Japan has been restricted 90
s per cent al vaioFem on American inn
ports, and the actual collections at the
customs house have been about s
per cent al yalorem. The exact
terms of the nsw arrangements are
not knowa- The treaty also gives Amsri-
cans greater property rights In Japan,
allowing them the privilege. nos hereto
fore granted. Of lsasiag land. in the in.
terror of Japan as well as at The treaty
ports. aud allowing all property rights ex.
csps the right 10 esn land in fee simpla