Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-23
AWAITING RATIFICATION
The New Treaty With Japan Has Been
Finally Executed.


of the United States and Minister knrino
OF Ja2an, in behalf OF his country, have
affixed their signatures to new treaty
of amity and commerce between this coun-
try and Japan. The final formalfties in
the execution of the instrument occurred
at the State Department late yesterday
afternoon, after the close of Office hours,
and the fact that 1t now awaited only the
ratification OF the two governments was
exclusively announced by the Associated
Press yesterday. When the last forman-
ties were closed yesterday the State De-
partment building was deserted. except the
private ONCE OF the Secretary of State,
where the interesting ceremony was to be
concluded. When Mr.. kurino had been
ushered into the office. the doors were
closed and unusual secrecy marked the
conclusion of this international compact.
The details OF the execution OF treaty
include the signing of the two parties, the
affixing OF the respective seals, together
with the great seal OF the United States.
VIII He Sent to the Senate.
Secretary Gresham will now transmit the
new treaty to the United States Senate as
soon as it convenes, and Mr.. Kurtno will
forward 1t to the Japanese foreign office
to be approved by the Emperor of Japan
and the privy council 1t is not necessary
to submit 1t to the Japanese diet, as the
privy council occupies position similar
to our Senate in confirming treaties. The
confirmation of the treaty by Japan Is
looked on as a mere formality, however,
as the main feature or the negotiation
has been to bring the treaty to the point
of actual signature. There will be no oill-
cial announcement, however, until the
;;enate and Drivy council give their ap-
proval.
Coming at the present time, the signing
of the treaty is considered of much sig
nifcance beyond its actual terms, as 1t
establishes the cordiality between the
countries, where foreign powers are en-
deayoring to show that JapanS re1ectOn
of the peace mediation was a "snub 10
the United states.
Conclusions of Lengthy Negotiations.
To Japan the signatures are of supreme
inheritance as the country estimates It's
new series of treaties as quite as I'M
portant as the war 1t is now conducting.
When the japanese minister at London re-
Gently concluded the new treaty with Great
Britain the Emperor of Japan at once
decorated him with the highest orders OF
the empire, and advanced him to the nobti-
ity AS the negotiations with the United
States have been even II ore diitlcult, owing
to the many questions involved, IL Is not
doubted that Minister kurino's success In
having the instrument signed ana seaieH
will be a source of profound satisfaction In
Japan. 1t concludes a labor which has
been in progress for fifteen years, through
the administrations OF several Japanese
minister's and it was with a special view
to closing the long negotiation that MI
Kurino was taken from an important post
in the Japanese foreign office and sent to
Washington.
The event will also cause much comment
in Great Britain, France, Switzerland and
other foreign countries, as the action or the
Unitei States affects similar treaties
abroad. That with Great Britain Is closed,
and the two with France and Switzerland
are largely dependent on the close OF the
American negotiations.
Chief Feature of the Treaty.
The chief feature Of the new treaty is in
it's recognition of japan as a civilized
country. Previous treaties have assumed
that the native courts were so primitive
and punshments so brutal that 1t would
not be safe to trust British, American and
other foreign citizens to native tribunals
and the foreign consuls were given extra
territorial Jurisdiction in the great treaty
ports Of Japan. This has long wounded the
pride Of the country. Political parties
have divided on this one question, and un-
til the war occurred 1t was the ruling is
sue. The new treaty now recognizes the
Japanese courts and does away with the
offensive foreign consular courts. But, In
order that time may be given for the Jap
anese judicial system to be further perfect
ed, the date when they assume their new
functions is postponed for five years, VIZ,
till July /, 1899. The same provision Is In
the treaty with Great Britain and In those
about to be concluded with France, Switz-
eriand and other countries, so that the full
recognition of Japan's civilization will be
ushered in with the twentieth century.
The restriction of japanese immigration
to this country is also an important feature
of the new treaty. Japan has readily ac-
ceded to this, because, as she claims, her
citizens are not desirous Of emigrating In
large numbers to America, and also because
Japanese law prohibits them from emf
grating contrary to American contract
labor and immigration laws.
The Trade Features.
The trade features Of the treaty are said
to be framed with view to developing the
commerce of both countries. In previous
treaties Japan has been restricted to per
cent ad valorem on American imports. and
the actual collections at the custom houses
have been about 8 per cent ad valorem.
The exact terms of the new arrangement
are not known.
The treaty also gives Americans greater
property rights in Japan, allowing them the
privileges not heretofore granted of leasing
lands in the interior of Japan as well as
at the treaty ports and allowing all prop
erty rights except the right to own land In
fee simple.
AMNESTY IN DRAZIL.