The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-06-22
Absolutely Pure

1
ard tea. In the case OF silks. the min
| lister says, the proposed duty viii amount
10 an ad valorern rate Of between 50 and
100 per cent and upor handkerchiefS the
duty will be 10 per cent more. These
duties, il is stated, are practically pro-
hibitory and bear upon silks peculiar 10
Japan. A prosperous trade has been
built up in japanese mattings. now ad-
mitted free ard in general use among
the poorer classes. The proposed duty,
SAYS the minister, will be 50 heavy that
the trade canno, survive in this article,
not now manufactured in the United
States The duty upon hemp, jute rugs
and carpets viii amount 10 nearly 80 PEI
cent and be another severe blow to Jap
anese commerce.
As 10 tea, the minister says, the sud-
den change Of policy Of the United States
from free importation 10 a duty OF 90 10
100 per cent has awakened in the Japan
ese mind the gravest fear for the stabil-
ity Of the tea industry, for years in a
depressed condition, although furnishing
two-thirds Of the tea imported into the
United States.
The minister says that while the i'm
perial government does not share the
general belief that this legislation was
intended 70 discriminate against Japan
csc commerce il is an unfortunate coin
ciderce that the imports from Japan are
specialties Of japanese production.
In conclusion, the minister says:
"As / had the honor to state, the I'M
perial government is far from sharing In
a belief for which they fird no warrant
in the cordial attitude always maintain
ed by the United States toward Japan,
but nevertheless they do not think it wise
or prudent to ignore a sentiment which
urder certain circumstances might have
a most unfortunate effect upon the rela-
tons Of the two countries. They hope,
moreover, that it viii. not be forgotten
that this feeling may be attributed in
some degree to the fact that no article
of American importation 10 Japan pays
at presen: anything more than nominal
duty and to the further circumstance
that the Legislature of japan has already
signified it's i-tention OF hereafter levy
ing only the most moderate imposts upon
American commerce"
Washington. June 19.-The japanese
minister has filed with the secretary or
state a formal statement Of his govern
men. with respect to the proposed an
Eexation OF the Hawaiian Islands by
the United States. Although it is OFF,
c.ally denied that Japan has protested
against the annexation treaty, ii is ad-
mitted that that government has rep
resented il the strongest terms is ex-
peotation that its treaty rights in HAWAII
snail be fully respected In case OF an
nexatioE. The letter Of the japanese
minister on this subject will be for
warded to the senate for its informa-
ton in the consideration OF the treaty.
An interesting scene was enacted IN
the diploma tic room Of the state depart
mert today when all the parties to tie
signing of the treaty for the annexation
CT Hawaii TO the United States were
There were president as
principals, Secretary Sherman, who
signed the treaty on behalf OF the Unit
ed States, and Messrs. F. NJ. Hatch,
Lorrin A. Thurston and w. A. Kinney.
nho signed on behalf Of the island re-
public. Those present as witnesses to
the agreement were Assistant Secre- |
taries Day. Adee and Cridler of the state |
department.
San Francisco, June ia Japa nese |
man Of war. the Hi Vie, is on her way |
to This port. she will receive orders |
here from the japanese government and |
il is anticipated that she may be order |
ed to Hawaii. The visitor win be well |
coined by the monitors Monterey and |
Monadnock, which vessels will not start |
for the north until after her arrival.