The morning call., 1894-09-17
MEANS FUTURE FREEDOM.
Importance of Japan's Revised
Treaty With England.

YOKOHAMA, Sept 2.-The revised treaty
between Japan and England was ratified
at Toxic August %. For the first time the
United States has failed to take advantage
of Japan's desire 70 deal primarily with
the great republic in important interna-
:ional transactions.
The opinion expressed in Japan is that
negotiations at Washington might have
been concluded long ago il the State De-
partment had been disposed to act uron
japanese proposals. As it j., Great Britain
stands ahead in the enactment of the
treaty which the Asiatic Empire has been
urgently striving for more than twenty
years to secure. On one previous occasion
the business was nearly brought to a con-
clusion by Count Okuma, but at the last
moment his plans were defeated by the
violent public demonstrations In Japan
against his method of adjusting the vexed
question of the Judiciary. 1t was there
fore thought expedient to keep these later
negotiations strictly secret, and to allow
none of the proposed conditions to become
a subject OF popular discussion until the
affair was absolutely terminated. The an
nOuncement, first made by the Emperor.
was surprise to every one, though vague
rumors of what was contemplated had cir
culatad during the past few weeks
The treaty confers no immediate adyan-
tages upon Japan. At least five years
must elapse before it goes into operation,
and it is for Japan to say whether or mot
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
a. T.. halS
courts.
The existence of foreign tribunals Is ore
of Japan's chief grievances. and this. so
far as Great Britain is concerned. will
cease at the app tinted time. The other
grievance, interference with the tariff.
will not be done away with until 1910
when complete autonomy may be resumed
by the simple process Of terminating the
treaty. But from 1899, or whatever date
the Japanese assign for the agreement
to come in force, until eleven years later.
when It may be Cancelled by either party.
a partially new tariff will be adopted, some
what more favorable TO Japan than that
which now regulates her commerce, but not
sIrIkingly so. The import duties now col
lected average b per cent ad valorem.
Under the new British schedule the aver
age is estimated at from 10 per cent
Only twenty-nine articles. some of which
are so suOdivided as TO make the total ap
pear thirty mine, are raised above the for
mer rates. Of these silks and sole leather
are fixed at 10 per cent. The majority.
including paraffine oil, are fixed at 10 per
cent. The actual computation, however.
will not be ad valorem. BY a supple
nnutarv n0nvnnfinn SnapIfia 611tioc mill l.
applied on the basis of average prices as
shown by the customs returns for six
months. The dutiable value OF imports
will include freights, insurance and COM
mission, items not hitherto reckoned. As
regards export duties it does not appear
that any changes are proposed. The posi-
tion of Englishmen in Japan will be in
most respects identical with that OF native
subjects. Only two privileges will be
withheld-the right of coastwise trade
and the right to own land. Buildin gs NAV
bo owned. but land must be held on leases.
1t is evident that in negotiating this
treaty Japan has not consulted present
gain so much as security for the future.
The difficulties of the existing system have
grown to be intolerable TO her, ana she
would almost have consented TO sacrifices
for time to be assured of positive release
at a designated period. Five years hence
British eXtra-terrtorial Jurisdiction will
be abolished and japan expects that the
other powers will likewise close their con-
Sular courts. Sixteen years hence she
hopes similarly to be rid of all commercial
restrictions. The burdens of the interval
are not felt to be too heavy price to pay
for ultimate freedom.
All persons concerned 10 preparing and
negotiating the Treaty. have been honored
with high marks of consideration by the
japanese Government The Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mutsu Munemitsn. has
been raised to the peerage, with the title
of Viscouut. and grant OF forty thousand
yen, about $4,000 in gold. As Minister at
Washington five years ago this official was
we'll known and very popular In the east
ern part Of the United States. He pego-
tlated the Mexican treaty with Japan.
memorable as the only one, previous
To the instrument just enacted. in
with Japan's autonomous rights were
recognized. Viscount Aoki. Japanese En-
voy at London, receives the first class