New-York tribune., 1899-07-17
NEW TREATIES WITH JAPAN
RELATIONS OF THE ISLAND EMPIRE
WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
SHE IS now PLACED on AN EQUAL FOOT
ING WITH OTHER NATIoNs-CHIEF
CHANGES SET FORTH BY MIN
ISTER KOMITRA
ISTER KOMURA.

Washington July ia new treaty between
the United States and Japan goes into effect 10
morrow. at which time also new treaties between
Japan and nearly all OF the countries OF Europe
and some South American republics also go into
effect. This Is an event of far reaching i'm
portance in the relations between Japan and the
United States. as It does away with the treaty
methods which have been in vogue for nearly htty
years and substitutes an entirely new method OF
procedure The same is true OF the relations OF
Japan with other countries Taken as a whole,
the many new treaties which go into effect to-
morrow place Japan an entirely new roofing
with the world at large. she is recognized fo'
the first time equal In every respect
The treaty with this country was made on NO
vember p, 1894. in Washington. between Secretary
Gresham and Minister Kureno. who then repre-
sented Japan here. The changes 1t made were SO
far reaching that 1t was determined the treaty
should not go into operation until July II. 1888
Jutaro Komura the present japanese Minister In
Washington, was seen at the Japanese Legation
to-day and gave interesting outline OF the more
important features OF the new arrangements. lie
sale:
THE seventeenth Of July marks the turning point
In the diplomatic history not only OF Japan, but or
the Oriental countries in general 1t will be the
first instance in which the Western Powers have
recognized the full sovereignty OF an oriental
State. This action of the enlightened nations OF
Europe and America shows that II any country Is
ready TO assume a full share in the responsibility
and affairs of the world at large. these old and
enlightened Powers ready 10 admit such a
country to full comfy among nations SO we re-
gard the advent OF this treaty as very important
step not only for Japan. but for all the nations
of the East.
THE countries with which Japan has made new
treaties the United States Great Britain, Ger
many France. Russia, Austria Italy. Spain Port
ugal Belgium. Holland. Denmark Sweden and
Norway, Switzerland and Peru All OF these go
into effect tomorrow. except those with France
and Austria, which deferred until August 4.
With most OF the countries Japan had treaty rela-
tons before, but they crude and unsatis-
factory.
'"To understand the change It is necessary to look
ut the condition under the old treaties. This was
essentially based two prlnciples-Hrst, that for
eign residents In Japan shall enjoy the privileges OF
extra territorality-that is. they should be amen
able to the laws and Jurisdiction of the Consul or
their own country. and not to japanese jurisdc-
ton; and, second, that foreign residents in Japan
shall be confined to certain open ports. outside OF
which foreigners could not reside. own property or
engage in trade. The result was, I'm effect about
fifteen or sixteen systems OF courts in Japan for
the purpose Of trying foreigners who commit OF
fences in Japan. Furthermore, most OF the Powers
claimed that Japanese laws were not binding upon
foreigners. For instance, take our quarantine
laws. While II protected us as against our own
people there was no projection In the case OF a aa
refusal recognize Japanese law was the United
States which recognized from the nrSt the Dinolus
force of the japanese law.
"One of the bad effects of this system was that
foreign residents had entire immunity from taxa
ton, while the japanese paid all the taxes. Al
this has now disappeared and foreigners have the
SAME privileges we'll the same ob"Sa tlons as
the japanese citiZenE--no more ana 10 less Inc
first step in the system Is 10 put an END TO
the old fiction of extra terrloraiy, by Which fof-
elgn citizens judged by different standards
from japanese. . , ~, 49,.
"The second essential thing is the opening Of the
entire interior of Japan 10 foreign residents ana
trade. Until there have been only hve treaty
ports-Y Yokohama, Nagasaki, Kobe, Hakodate ana
Nigata In these places foreigners have been able
to live to purchase property and TO trade but out
side OF these they could not even travel without
special permit. These five places are an insignin-
cant part of Japan. HenceforwSrd the entire IN
terror Of the empire with its popuous cities and In
viting fields OF industry. is thrown open 70 FOR
eigners. They may live anywhere engage ir any
Kind Of business. and will be assured OF the same
protection to life and property that is given 10 the
Japanese. . .,.
Japan naturally feels most friendly toward the
United States because she always has shown a
most sympathetic interest in Jspan's desire 10
adopt modern methods and 10 deal on even terms
with the rest Of the world. The messages OF sew
eral OF the Presidents have spoken in most friendly
terms of this matter. And so. as the Government
and peoplc of the United States have taken such
friendly interest under the old system, hope and
bolieve that the United States Government ana
people will take a most friendly interest IN the
arriving out Of the new treaty.