St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-03
FATAL TO rHE TREATY.
Japs Not Apt to Accept che Agree
ment as Amended in Senate.

Japs Not Apt to Accept fae hgfee-
ment as Amended in Senate.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The belief is
growing in diplomatic circles that the
action of the senate in attaching to the
new japanese treaty the proviso that it
may be terminated on one years notice
after it goes into effect will operate to
defeat the tire atty. ard it can now be
stated OH good authority that in its
present shape the entire treaty will be
rejected by the Japanese government.
1t transpires that the senate was influ.
enced in this action, not by any fear
that the interests or liabilities of Amer
lean citizens in Japan would suffer by
making them subject to japanese
law and relin quish the right to
extra territorial Jurisdiction, for
this clause does not go into
effect until five years have elapsed.
The actual reason was founded on the
tariff considerations. BY the treaty the
United States allowed Japan within
thirty days aft er its ratification to fix
her own tariff charges on imports from
the United States instead of holding her
to the cid treaty by the terms of which
the United States fixed the rate at one
figure-5 per cent ad alGrem on all i'm
ports. In thus admitting Japan's right
to fix her own tariff schedules The
United States went further than Great
Britain Or any other of the great powers.
The Japanese looked upon our action
with deep gratitude as the first recogni-
ton of the fact that she was really on
even terms with other great nations.
The little amendment which, at
first glance, seems inconseQuentlal.
really means much for Japan, for it is
said to touch the foundation of her
whole projected new tariff system. The
draft of the laws necessary TO put this
into effect has been already prepared,
awaiting the ratification Of the treaty.
Yet, if Japan should accept the amend
ment, she will he placed in peculiar
and dangerous position. Having pro-
ceedeG under Tn new tariff for a short
time, and in tie meantime having he
gotiated trade treaties with other ma
lions, Japan might be suddenly notified
by the United States Of the termination
of the treaty in one year. The rela-
tons of the two countries would then
revert to those prevailing under the
present treaty, and that would immedi-
ately make all duties on American im-
ports into Japan only per cent. This,
it is safe to say. would seriously dis
arrange the Japanese revenues. but
the secondary effect would be
worse, for immediately every other
nation with which Japan was in
treaty relations would claim the bene-
fits of the favored nation clause and
secure the 5 per cent rate, thus COM
p!etely destroying tho Japanese reve-
nue. system. lnasmuch as it has been
fer many years the object of the most
advanced Japanese to relieve their peo-
pie from the heavy burden Of internal
aud direct taxation to which they are
now subjected for the raising Of the
revenues for the support of the govern
ment. the possibility of wrecking all
their hopes by one slight amendment Of
the treaty. inserted by the very power
to which Japan looked for help IN lead
ing other nations to similar treaties, it
is said by diplomats acquainted with the
views Of Japan, could not be contem-
plated by the Japanese government
with anything less than alarm.