The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-19
JAPAN'S TARIFF PROTEST.
Summary of Paper Filed by the Jap
anese Minister.

Washington, June 19.-The protest
made by the Japanese government
against the pending tariff bill is for
mally embodied in note from Min
lister -Eoshi of the date as late as
the third of the present month. The
note is couched in the most courteous
language. but there is firmness of
tone observable that indicates the re-
monstrance may be followed by acts
of retaliation if disregarded-
The note begins with an apology for
expressing an opinion that under Ordi-
nary conditions might be regarded as
trenching upon domestic affairs, but
cities as a justification the fast that i'm
pDrtant Japanese interests are invOlv-
ed and that in the opinion of the min
ister the proposed increase of duties
will injure the United States no less
than Japan by retarding the growth Of
promising commercial relations. The
articles of Japanese production that
will be most seriously affected says the
protests are light weight silks, silk
handkerchiefS, mating, hemp and jute
rugs and carpets and tea. In the case
of silks, the minister says, the proposed
duty will amount 10 an ad valorem rate
of between 95 and 100 per cent, and up
on handkerchiefs the duty will be 10
per cent more.
These rates it is stated, are practi-
cally prOhibitOry and bear upon silks
peculiar to Japan. A prosperous trade
has been built up in Japan mattings,
now admitted free and IN general use
posed duty, says the minister, viii be
so heavy that the trade cannot survive
in this article, not now manufactured in
the United States. The duty upon
hemp, Jute rugs and carpets Will
amount to nearly so per cent and be an
other severe blow to Japanese com
merce.
As to tea, the minister says, the sud
den change of the policy of the United
States from free importation to duty
of from 80 to 100 per cent has awakened
in the Japanese mind the graVest fear
for the stability of the tea industry, for
years in a depressed condition, although
furnishing tWO-thirds of the tea import
ed 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 to discriminate against Japan
ese commerce, it is an unfortunate CO.
incidence that the imports from Japan
most injuriously affected are specialt1es
of japanese production. In conclusion
the minister says:
LAS I have had the honor to state the
imperial government is far from chang
ing a belief for which they found war
rant in the cordial attitude always
maintained by the United States to
ward Japan, but nevertheless they 90
not think it either wise or prudent to |
ignore a sentiment which, under Ger
tain circumstances, might have a most |
unfortunate effect on the relations OF
the two countries. They hope, more
over that it will not be forgotten that |
this feeling may be attributed in some |
degree to the fact that no article of I
American importation to Japan pays
at present anything more than non1- |
nal duty and to the further clrcun-
stances that the legislature Of Japan |
has already signified its intention or |
hereafter IeVying only the most modeT- |
ate imposts upon American commerce