The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-11-28
THE TREATY WITH JAPAN.
Secretary Gresham and Minister
Kurino Have Signed the Document.

Rurino Have Signed the Document.
Secretary of State Gresham, in behalf
of the United States and Minister Kurino
of Japan. in behalf of his country, have
affixed their signatures TO a new treaty
Of amity and commerce between this coun-
try and Japan. Secretary Gresham viii
transmit the new treaty to the United
States senate as soon as il convenes, and
Mr. KurlnO will forward it TO the Japan
csc foreign office, to be approved by the
emperor of Japan and the privy council.
Coming at the present time the signing
of the treaty is considered Of much sig
nificance beyond its actual terms, as 1t
establishes the cOrdiality between the
countries. when foreign powers are en-
deavoring to show that Japan's rejection
of the peace mediation was a "Snub" 10
the United States. To Japan the sigma
lures are of supreme Importance, as the
country estimates its new series OF treat
les as quite as important as the war 1t is
now conducting. When the japanese
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 nobility.
The signing of the treaty concludes a
,abor which has been in progress for fif-
teen years, through the administrations Of
several Japanese ministers, and il was
with specia, view to closing the long
negotiation that Mr.. Kurino was taken
from an important post in the japanese
foreign Office and sent to Washington.
The chief feature of the new treaty is
in its recognition of Japan a civilized
country. Previous treaties have assumed
that the native courts were so primitive
and punishments 50 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 or the country. Political parties
have divided on this one question, and I'M
til the war occurred 1t was the ruling
issue. The treaty now recognizes the Japan
courts and does away with the offensive
foreign consular courts. But in order that
time may be given for the japanese judi
cial system to be further perfected the
date when they assume their new func-
tons is postponed for five years, viz, till
Jan. l. 1899. The same provision is in the
treaty with Great Britain and in those
about to be concluded with France, Swift
erland and other countries, so thai the full
recognition Of Japans civ fizatlon will be
ushered in with the twentieth century.
The restriction of Japanese immigration
to this country is also an important feat
ure Of the new treaty. Japan has already
acceeded to this because, as she claims
her citizens are not desirous of emigra ting
in large numbers to America, and also
because a japanese law prohibits them
from emigrating contrary to The American
contract labor and immigration laws.
The trade features OF the treaty are said
to be framed with a view to developing
the commerce of both countries. In pre-
vious treaties Japan has been restricted
to per cent ad valorem on American i'm
ports and the actual collections at the
custom houses have been about 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 privilege, not heretofore granted, Of
leasing lands in the interior of Japan as
well as at the treaty ports and allowing
all property rights except the right to own
land in fee simple