Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-10
NEW JAPANESE TREATY
1t Throws Open the Interior of the Country
to Trade.
Important Concessions TO Our Mcr-
Advancement and Civilization.

The new treaty between the United
States and Japan is now the main subject
of comment in diplomatic and official cir
cles.
By this instrument the United States
formally recognizes. Japan as hrst-class
power in the sisterhood of nations.
The treaty shows how fully the United
States has accorded Japan the recognition
she has now as an enlightened modern ma
ton. All previous treaties have been based
on the theory that the relicts of eastern
barbarism still remained with Japan. Ac-
ccrdingly she was not allowed to conduct
her own courts or to make her own tariff
laws. but special treaty regulations were
made to protect American litigants and
American commerce in Japan on the pre-
sumption that the native laws would not
afford adequate protection. Running
throughout the new treaty are the con-
cessions recognizing her courts and laws
as ample for Americans as well as ma
tives. This is the chief feature of the
treaty. The old consular courts, in which
United States consuls tried cases at Japan
csc treaty ports, are abandoned. Instead
of them all, cases, civil and criminal, in
which an American Is concerned, Will be
tried by the native courts. The right Of
Japan TO make her own tariff laws is also
recognized Heretofore the United States
has been free to make such tariff laws as
she saw fit affecting Japan, but the latter
was forbidden by treaty from fixing duties
above five per cent ad valorem. The pro-
tocol Of the new treaty recognizes the
general statutory laws of Japan concerning
the tariff, and articles " and V give her
FOR the first time the favored nation
clause" by which she is guaranteed
against any higher duties than those the
United States imposes on other countries.
The abolition of the foreign settlements,
and their absorption by the native cam
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her advanced municipal organization.
On the other hand. the United States
secures many substantial advantages. The
missionaries who make up such a very
large class In Japan are guaranteed free
dom of worship and protection in that
worship. The main concession however Is
that OF article III, by which Japan Is
opened up to American commerce. Here
tofcre Americans have been restricted to
few treaty ports of Japan. They could
not reside, or carry on business, even
travel, in the interior. Now, however,
every corner of the country is opened TO
and manufactures, lease lands, etc. 1t Is
the opening of the heart of Japan, hitherto
inaccessible, to American enterprise and
comerce. In giving the japanese a similar
right to settle throughout the United
Sta ties, care has been taken to provide that
their coming must he subject to our alien
labor and immigration laws.
The provision of the treaty that IL must
be ratified within six months makes IL in
cumbent for the Senate to act on IL at the
present session, the treaty will fail.
There is every probability. however, that
the Senate will act promptly. Minister
kurino has forwarded copy of the treaty
to his government, where IL will be con-
sidered and ratified by the privy council Of
japan,