Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-18
THE NEW TREATIES
Great Importance Of Japan's Recent Agree
meuts With Other Nations.
First OMcial RecOgnition OF the MI
kado's Donsnin ms One Of the
Civilised Countries.

The new treaties which Japan is effect
Ing With the great. powers. including the
United States are regarded in diplomatic
cfr,ies a. an event in international affairs
quite a. Important az the China-Japanese
war; a. the treeteies will, for the first time,
give Official recognition to Japan as one
Of the sisterhcod Of civilized nations. The
terms Of the treaty with Great Britain have
Just been made public. A similar treaty
is now being negotiated with this country.
and 1t is expected to be the second Of the
new treaties to be signed. Then will come
like treaty with Germany and other pow
erS.
The significant feature Of this new series
Of treaties is that they. for the first time.
deal with Japan as an enlightened nation
entitled to the same treaty rights as the
countries Of Europe the western hemis-
rhere. All Of the japanese treaties now ex-
listing treat her as q half-barbarous coun-
try, and are relics Of the days prior to her
advance toward civilized methods,
History of Former Treaties.
The records Of the State Department show
that the United States was the first to
make a treaty Of any kind with Japan, and
the first to send a minister there. This was
within the last forty years. prior to which
time Japan was In such a benighted con-
dition that no diplomatic communication
was had with her. In 1883 Secretary of
State Lewis Cass sent Townsend Harris of
minister to Japan. He was the first official
CT the kind Japan had ever seen. He took
his life in his hands by pushing inland. 60
ing to the STAT of government at Yeddo.
where he succeeded In making an ad-
vantageous treaty. This served the
basis for subsequent treaties with Great
Britain. Prussia, France, Switzerland and
other countries. In 1866 our minister, Mr.
ptx,Ar h11 OBJ, sS,6 Ii
the tariff rate per cent ad valorem Other
countries secured the same change
These old treaties are still in force, and
are the ones about to be superseded by the
new series Of treaties The main feature of
the new treaties Is that they recognize
Japan full treaty-making power and
make commercial arrangements with her
accordingly. The old treaty gave the
United States a uniform tariff rate of 5
per cent ad valoreD, Cor sending goods into
japan. although this country was left free
to impose such tarta rates as she saw fit
against Japan, The new treaty will raise
the japanese rates. on the principle that
tht. government is now able to enact a Just
andSenlightened tari6 law of its own The
rate Tor imports from the United States Is
Understood to be from 6 to per cent, and
to be Q specific instead of an ad valorem
duty THIS is the rate in the British treaty,
ana the purpose u to have them alike.
Japan Entirely ODeR to Foreigners.
Another important change Is in opening
up japan to Americans and other foreign
ers. The old treaties restrict foreigners to
certain designated treaty ports. japan now
proposes to thfpw open her entire country.
making only one reservation, against the
alien ownership Of land. similar to the
laws Ia come An ertcan states. With
this reservation Americans and 9TH
er foreigners will be allowed to
conduct business. lease land. ETC.,
IN any part Of Japan. On the other
hand. Japan desires by the new treaties to
rid herself Of the consular courts and other
foreign tribunals which sit at the treaty
ports and have Jurisdiction over all cases.
civil and criminal, In which a foreigner
Is a party. These courts were establish
ed on the theory that eastern countries
were extremely cruel In their punishments
but as Japan's judicial system is now pat
termed after that of eastern countries Il is
felt that full justice will be accorded for
eisners in Japan without the continuance
Of the foreign courts.
With Great Britain. the United States and
Germany Joining in the recognition of ia
pans advancement, the country will, in ef-
feet. be officially received as one of the
fully civilized treaty-making nations.