The morning call., 1894-11-24


preston and in spirit and it did not by any
means amount to a rejection. On the
contrary it pointed out way in which the
United States could assist In restoring
peace If China should be in the proper
frame of mind. namely, by authorizing the
American Ministers in Japan and China
to transmit proposals. Tns authority has
been conferred by the State Department,
and so in the persons Of the Ministers the
United States Government is really to-day
IN the place of a mediator with the con-
sent of the japanese Government, and con-
sequently is in fair way to attain its
object irrespective of the sentiment of the
European powers.
Secretary of State Gresham. In behalf Of
the United States, and Minister Kurino,
in behalf Of his country. have affixed their
signatures to the new treaty of amity and
commerce between this country and Japan.
The final fOrmalities in the execution of
| the instrument occurred at the State De-
partment yesterday. after the close Of Of
fee hours, and the fact that it now
awaited only the ratification of the two
Governments was exclusively announced
by the Associated Press yesterday. Secre-
ary Gresham will now transmit the new
as it convenes, and Mr.. Kuriuo will for
ward it to the japanese Foreign Office to
be approved by the Emperor of Japan and
the Privy Council
Coming at the present time, the sign
ing of the treaty is considered of much
significance beyond its actual terms, as it
establishes cordial relations between the
countries when the foreign powers are
ndno chau bot lon nutn
ton of the peace mediation was a snub to
the United States. The signing of the
treaty includes a labor which has been in
| progress for fifteen years, and it was with
the special view Of closing the long nego-
tiations that Kurino was taken from his
important post in the Japanese Foreign
Office and sent to Washington.
The event also will cause much comment
in Great Britain, France, Switzerland and
other foreign countries, as the action of
the United States affects similar treaties
abroad. That with Great Britain is closed
and the ones with France and Switzerland
are largely dependent upon the close of
the American negotiations.
| The chief feature of the new treaty is IN
its recognition of Japan as a civilized
country. Previous treaties have assumed
and the punishments so brutal that it
would not be safe to trust British. Ameri-
| can and other foreign citizens to their jur-
| isdictioD. The new treaty recognizes the
japanese courts and does away with the
offensive foreign consular courts. But in
order that time may be given for the
| japanese judicial system to be further per-
| fected, the date when they assume their
| 10 So
till January, 1S99 The same provision is
in the treaty with Great Britain. and in
those about to be concluded with France,
| Switzerland and other countries, so 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 feat
urs of the new treaty. Japan has readily
acceded to this, because. as she claims,
her citizens are not desirous of immigrat-
| ing in large mum bers to America, and also
| because Japanese law prohibits them
! from emigraung contrary to the American
! contraci-labor law.
The trade features of the treaty are said
to be framed with view to developing
the commerce of both countries. In pre-
vious treaties the duty in Japan has been
restricted to per cent ad valorem on
American imports, and the actual colec-
tions at the Custom-house have been
about per cent ad valorem. The exact
terms Of the new ARRANGEMENTS 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
we'll as at the treaty ports, and allowing
all property rights except the right to own
! land in fee simple.