The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-02
THE NEW ERA FOR JAPAN.
Treaties That Admit Her Into the
Circle Of Great Nations.
FOREIGNER EQUAL WITH NATIVE.

Japan is Now Recognized as an Equal
by the Chief Powers OF the World
The Consular Courts Have Been
Abolished-Chief Changes Set Forth
by Minister Komura.
WASHINGTON, D. G. (SpeciaD.-A new
treaty between the United States and Japan
has gone into effect, as we'll as new treaties
between Japan and nearly all the countries
Of Europe and one South American repub'
lie. It Is an event OF far-reaching impor'
tance in tho relations between japan and
the United States, as 1t does away with tho
treaty methods which have been in vogue
Tor nearly fifty years and substitutes an en-
tirely new method OF procedure. Tho
same is true In the relations OF Japan with
other countries. Taken rs a whole, the
new treaties place Japan on an entirely
new footing with the world at large, as she
Is now recognized for the frs: time as an
squal In every respect.
The treaty with this country was made
on November 70, 1894, In Washington, be-
tween Secretary Gresham and Minister Ku-
reno, who then represented japan here.
that II was determined the treaty should
not 60 into operation until July II. 1899.
Juraro Komura, the present japanese
Minister In Washington, was seen at the
japanese Legation, and gave an interesting
outline Of the more important features OF
the new arrangement. He said:
"The 18th OF July marks the turning
point In the diplomatic history, not only OF
Japan, but OF the Oriental countries In gen.
.eral. Il will be the first instance IN which
the Western Powers have recognized tho
full sovereignty Of On Oriental State:
'The countries with which japan has
made new treaties are the United States,
Great Britain. Germany, France, Russia,
Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium.
Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway,
Switzerland and Peru. All Of these have
gone into effect, except those with France
and Austria, which are deferred until
August 4. With most Of these countries
Japan had treaty relations before, but they
were crude and unsatisfactory.
"To understand the change 1t is neces.
sary to look at the condition under the old
treaties. This was essestially based on
two principles: first, that foreign residents
In Japan shall enjoy the privileges Of extra.
territorlality-tbat is, they should be
amenable to the laws and jurisdiction OF
the consul OF their own country, and not to
Japanese jurisdiction; and, second, that
foreign residents IN Japan sail be con.
fined to certain open ports, outside OF
which foreigners could not reside, own
property or engage In trade. The result
was in effect about fifteen or sixteen sys-
TENS Of courts in japan for the purpose Of
trying foreigners who commit offences In
Japan Furthermore, most OF the Powers
asserted that Japanese laws we're not bind
ing upon foreIpners
"The first step in the new system Is to put
an end to the old friction OF extra-terrl
toriality, by which foreign citizens were
judged by different standards from
Japanese.
"The second essential thing is the open.
ing OF the entire interior Of Japan to foreign
residents and trade. Until now there have
been only five treaty ports, Yokohama, Ma.
Saska, Kobe, Hakadote and Nigata. In
these places foreigners had been able to
live, to purchase property and to trade,
but outside Of these they could not even
travel without special permit. These
five places are an insignificant part OF
Japan. Henceforth the entire interior Of
the Empire, with its populous cities and
inviting fields Of industry, Is thrown open
to foreigners.
I'm bringing about the new system OF
treaties japan naturally feels most friendly
toward the United States, because she al
ways has shown a most sympathetic Inter-
est In Japan's desire to adopt modern
methods and to deal on even terms with the
rest OF the world"