The times., 1899-08-29
JAPAN'S new TREATIES
Changed Conditions Announced to
American Citizens.
All Exceptional Privileges Formerly
Enjoyed Under the Jurisdiction of
Consular Courts Ceases-Heference
Is Made to the Friendship Between
the Countries - Several DEGREES.

Several interesting DEGREES relative to
the operation of the new japanese treat
les having recently been issued by the
Emperor of that country, Minister Buck,
at Tokyo, sends copies of the most i'm
portant ones to the State Department,
where they were made public yesterday.
Among the various DEGREES is notification
TO United States citizens in Japan which
Minister Buck says has been generally
published by the Japanese newspapers
with very gratifying results. The notifi-
cation is as follows:
In view of the coming into operation
of the new treaty between the United
States and Japan on the 18th day of the
present month, it seems fitting and proper.
not only to announce to citizens of the
United States in Japan that fact, but also
TO call their attention TO. the changed con-
ditions and TO the obligations that will
rest upon them in their new relations to
japanese laws and regulations TO which
they viii be amenab.e equally with Japan
ese subjects in all that relates to their in
dividual rights and privileges. On the 18th
instant jurisdiction OF United States con-
suIar courts in Japan viii end and all
the exceptional privileges, exemptions,
and immunities now enjoyed by citizens o.
the United States as a part Of or appur-
tenant to, such jurisdiction will absolute
| ly cease and determine and thereafter all
such jurisdiction viii be assumed and ex-
| ereised by Japanese courts
The rescript of His Imperial Majesty
| the Emperor, as also the several notifica-
tions by his excellency the Minister Presi-
dent of State, and their exceIlencies the
beads of departments of the Government,
already published, enjoining, as they do,
upon all Japanese subjects their duties in
respect 10 foreigners have been read with
much satisfaction by me as they will be
I by all United States citizens, not only in
Japan, but in America as well. In like
spirit attention is called to the duty which.
/ trust. viii be the pleasure of all citizens
of the United States under no circum
| stances to give any cause of complaint
| either to Government officials or other
japanese subjects. In their relat ons with
the people of this country they should at
| all times, by their demeanor and by their
every act, show such sentiments OF regard
/ for those with whom they will ne essarily
be associated and for all laws, regulations.
and customs, as will demonstrate that
reciprocal friendship reasonably expected
of them in response to the kind consider
ATE, and just treatment enjoined on all
japanese subjects by His Imperial
Majesty and by the high officials OF the
Government.
The United States was the first of all
| the powers TO enter into treaty OF peace,
amity, and commerce with Japan. From
that time the bonds of friendship uniting
the two countries have become stronger
and stronger with passing years. and it is
the duty of all citizens of the Unite i
States in this country to see to it that
| nothing on their part is done to cause
! raflecffnr,. fta alo 80
atty
The following imperial rescript and de-
partment instructions relating to the
operation of the new japanese treaties
! were also transmitted to the State Depart
ment:
Governing our realm by the abiding aid of
our ancestors achievements, which have
enabled US TO secure the prosperity of our
people at home and TO establish relations
| of close amity with the nations abroad, ii
| it q source Of heartfelt qualification to us
that, in the sequel OF exhaustive planning
and repeated negotiations, an agreement has
| bsen come to with the powers, and the revi-
| sion OF the treaties, our cherished aim,
| is today on the eve of becoming an accom-
plished fact; a result which, while il adds
materially to the responsibilities of our En-
pire, viii greatly strengthen the basis OF
our friendship with foreign countries 1t is
devoted loyalty in the discharge of their
duties is conspicuous. should enter earnestly
| into our sentiments in this matter, and. in
compliance with the great policy of open
ing the country, should all unite with one
heart TO associate cordially with the peo-
pies from afar, thus maintaining the char
lacter of the nation and enhancing the pres
tige OF the Empire.
In view of the responsibilities that de-
I 1--we ryrapr re in giving pfTpcf the
treaties, IL is our win that our ministers Of
State acting on our behalf, should instruc
our officials Of all classes to observe the ut
most circumspection in the management oi
affairs. TO the end that subjects and strang-
ers alike may enjoy equal privileges ano
advantages, and that, every source of dis
satisfaction being avoided, relations Of pesc.
and amity with all nations may be strength
ened and consolidated in perpetuity.
THE work of revising the treaties has
| caused deep solicitude to His August
Majesty since the Capitalization of the Gov
! ernnent and has long been an object OF
earnest desire to the people. More than
| twenty years have elapsed since the ques-
ton was opened by the despatch of a spe-
cial embassy to the West in 1871. Through
! out the whole Of that interval, numerous
negotiations were conducted with foreign
| countries and numerous plans discussed
| until finally in 1884 Great Britain took
| the lead in concluding a revised treaty
and the other powers all followed in sue
cession. so that now the operation Of tht
| new treaties is about to take place on the
18th of July and the 4th OF August. The
revision OF the treaties in the sense o.
! placing on a footing of equality the inter
| course of this country with foreign States
was the basis Of the great liberal polio!
| adopted at the time of the restoration, ant
that such course conduces to enhance th'
prestige of the Empire and 10 promote
the prosperity of the people is proposition
not requiring demonstration. But if ther
should be anything defective in tn
methods adopted for giving effect to til
treaties. not merely win the object OF re
vision be sacrificed but also the country
relations with friendly powers will be i'm
paired and IFS prestige may be lowered /
is. of course, beyond question that an.
rights and privileges aecruing to US as
result of treaty revision should be dui.
asserted Bat there devolves upon tn
Government Of this Empire the responsi
bility. and upon the people of this realm
the duty. of protecting the rights and priv
iIeges Of foreigners. and Of sparing M
effort that they may one and all be enables
to reside in the country confidently am
contentedly. IT behooyes all officials L
clearly apprehend the august intention
and to pay profound attention TO thes