Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-19
JAPAN AND OUR TARIFF
Formal Protest Made Against the Pending
Bill.
Minister TOru HOshi Expresses the He.
lief That the Interests of Both
Countries Are Threatened.

Ihe protest made by the Japanese govern
ment against the pending tariff bill is
| formally embodied in note from Minister
Ioru Hoshi of date as late as the 3D. of the
present month. The note is couched in the
most courteous language, but there is a
frmness of tone observable that indicates
the remonstrance may be followed by acts
of retaliation if disregarded.
The note begins with an apology for ex-
pressing an opinion that under ordinary
conditions might be regarded as trenching
upon domestic affairs. but cites as a justi-
fcation of the fact that important Japanese
interests are involved and that in the opin-
ion of the minister, the proposed increase
OF duties will injure the United States no
less than Japan by retarding the growth of
promising commercial relations. The ar
tlcleS OF japanese production that will be
most seriously affected, says the protest
are lightweight silks, silk handkerchiefs,
mating, henp and jute rugs and carpets
and tea.
In the case Of silks the minister SAYS the
proposed duty will amount to an ad va
TO- EN- rate OF between % aud 100 per cent
ana upon handkerchiefs the duty will be
~ per cent more These rates, it is stated,
are practically prohihitory and bear upon
cheap silks peculiar to Japan
An extensive and prosperous trade has
beeh Dulit up in Japanese mattngs now
e,eiiiIleu Tree, ara In general use among
the poorer classes. The proposed duty,
says the minister, will be so heavy that the
trade cannot survive in this article not
new ms nLfactured in the United States
Inc DUTY upon hemp, jute rugs ana car
pets Will amount to nearly 50 per cent and
be another severe blow to japanese COM
merce AS to tea, the minister says the
sudden change of the policy Of the United
states from free Importation to duty of
from 90 tc 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 imported into the
United States.
The minister says that, while the imperial
government does not share the general be-
lief tnat this legislation was intended to
discriminate against japanese commerce, it
Is an unfortunate coincidence that the i'm
ports from Japan most injuriously affected
are specialt1es of Japanese production. In
conclusion, the minister saws:
AS L have had the honor to state the
imperial government are far from sharing
in a belief for whicn they find no warrant
IN the cordial attitude always maintained
by the United States toward Japan, but.
nevertheless, they do not think it either
wise or prudent to Ignore a sentiment
which, under certain circumstances, might
have most unfortunate effect upon the
relations of the two countries. They hope,
moreover, that 1t will not he forgotten that
this feeling may be attributed in some
degree 20 the fact that no article of Ameri-
can importation to Japan pays at present
anything more than a nominal duty; and
to the further circumstance that the legis-
lature of Japan las already signified it's
intention of hereafter levying only the most
moderate imposts Upon American COM
merce."