The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-17
NEWS BY MAIL TO sErrEMBxR ..


Copyrighted. 1894 hy the Associated Pres.
YoKoHAwA. Sept. 2-tPer steamer
Oceanic TO San Francisco. Sept Ii. The
revised treaty between Japan and England
was ratified at Tokyo August 70. For the
first time the United States has failed 10
take advantage of Japan's desire TO deal
primarily with the great republic ia lnl-
portant International transactions. The
opinion expressed in Japan il that negoti-
atoms at Washington City might have
been concluded long ago II the state de-
partment had been disposed 20 act upon
Japanese proposals. As it IL, Great
Britain stands ahead I'm the enactment OF
a treaty which the Asiatic empire has
been urgently striving for more than
twenty years 10 secure. On one previous
occasion the business was nearly brought
To- "a conclusion By Count Oknma. but at
the last moment his plans were defeated
hy the violent public demonstrations In
Japan against his method OF adjusting
tine vexed question OF the judiciary. ft
was therefore thought expedient 10 keep
these later negotiations strictly secret and
TO allow none Of the proposed conditions
to become subject Of popular discussion
until the affair Was absolutely terminated.
The announcement brat made by the
emperor Was a surprise to every one.
though vague rumors Of what vas con-
templased had circulated during the
past few weeks. The treaty confers no
immediate advantages upon Japan. At
least i've years must eiapse before IL goes
into operation, and IL is for Japan 10 say
whether or not the Interval shall be longer.
bat until isg9 everything must remain as
1t is now. The purpose Of this delay is
that Japan shall perfect her judicial sys-
TEN TO an extent warrantlng the abolition
of English law courts. The existence OF
foreign tribunals is one Of Japan's chief
grievances. and this. 30 far as great Britain
is concerned, will cease at tae appointed
time. The other grievances. intsFfeFsncs
with the tariff, will not be done away Efkh
until 1910. when eomplete autonomy may
lie resumed By the simple process Of ter
gainaling the treaty. but from fs99. or
whatever date the japanese assign for the
agreement 20 come in force, until eleven
years latar, when IL may be cancelled by
either powsr partially new tarln wIii Be
adopted. somewhat more favorable 20
Japan shan that which now regulates her
commerce, bat not strikingly 80 The
import duties now collected average per
cent al vAlorem. Under the new
Britain schedule ths average is es-
timated az from s 10 8 per cent. Only
twenty-n!ne articles. some Of which are
so snodivided 81 TO make the total appear
thirty-nIns. aFs raised ABOVE the former
rates. Of these, silks and sole leather are
fixed al IS per cent. The majority. In
eludIng parafzns oil, are hKed IS 10 per
cent. The actasi computation. however.
wisl not be al valorem. By = supple
rsaentary convention specific dates will be
applied on she baxis q average prices As
showa By she customs returns for sIr
raonsha. Tie duiIabla valne Of imports
viii include freights. insuraaoe and com
mission. items not hIthert0 Fsck0ned. As
regards export duties, Il does not appear
that any changes are proposed. The Eosl-
ton q Engisshmen Ia Japan viii be in
most respects identical wsth thai Of native
subjects. olIy tao privileges xii be with
hid the right Of esasts ssss trade and tie
right u osn Iaad Bulldogs nay IS
osnsd. bat the land Enast be held on
leAse@.
Il IL evident that in negotiating this
treaty Japan has not consulted present
gaia 80 sn aea 50 security for the future.
The dsfacalgaes % the existing system
have grown to he insolesabse to her. and
she zouid almost have consented - sac
rihces Tor a Eisae to &c assured II positive
rs.isl a. dss4gns.sd PssAod- Fays ys4Is