The Washington times., 1902-03-30
Anniversary Of Treaty
With the United States
and Its Significance.
COMMODORE PERRYS WORK
Basis of Remarkable Growth of Coun-
try From a Nation of Barbarians to
a Kingdom of Enlightenment an6 Pro
gressive Ideas.

SreSSlVe IDEAS
Monday next will mark the forty
eighth anniversary of the conclusion of
Commodore Perrys famous treaty with
Japan-the entering wedge which has
brought about the present greatness of
that progressive country.
Commodore Perry concluded the treaty
in the face OF innumerable difficulties,
the SCOTS of the entire world, and in
spite of the opposition of the Empire of
Japan itself. which offered no assistance
in the elimination of treaty which has
raised her in slightly less than fifty years
from nation of barbarians to a king
dom of enlightenment.
Dutch Gain Foothold.
The first treaty between the United
States and Japan was concluded on March
81, 1854. There have been many since
that date, but this one in point CT i'm
portance far outranks all of its sue
cessors. To Japan it was the inspiration
of new life-to the world the success
full termination of the dream of centuries,
that of the opening of the markets OF
the East to the manufactures of Europe.
Until this time Japan was secluded and
superstitious, afraid of the friendly ad-
vances of other nations.
The first people to obtain a hold upon
the Japanese were the Dutch, who, by
reason of their enmity for Spain, Portu-
gal, and the Church of Rome, gained
strength throughout the Empire. The flag
of Holland first floated in Japan in 1903,
trade treaties were made between the two
countries and the Dutch were in fair
way TO possess the entire commerce of
the islands.
Since that time for hundred years,
from 1870 to 1880, every nation of the
world has endeavored to obtain foothold
in Japan
Russia began in $780, failed and made
another attempt in 1852. In July, 1916, a
French squadron anchored of the port of
NaSasaki in the hope of obtaining con-
cesslons from the japanese Government,
but the endeavor was unsuccessful
The first attempt by the United States
was in 1S45, almost 250 years after the
Dutch had opened the market according
TO the fashion OF that people, when Cap
tain Cooper of the whaler Manhattan,
sailed, contrary to Japanese law, into the
harbor OF Jedo.
Perry's Arrival in Japan.
Commodore Biddle in the following year
entered the same port, and in opposition
10 the same Japanese sentiment, with the
eighty gun ship Columbus and the frigate
Vincennes. He bore letter from Presi-
dent Polk, but made no impression upon
tine Japanese Government.
Commodore Perry's expedition reached
Japan in July, 1853. He endeavored to
enter into negotiations with the Tycoon
and succeeded after delay of six months
He concluded the first treaty between
the United States and Japan on March 81
1854, during the Administration of Presl-
dent Pierce. The ratification was ex-
changed at Simoda on February 81 1855,
and the treaty was proclaimed on June q
of the same year.
Text of the Treaty.
The treaty was as follows:
ARTICLE /.
There shall be a perfect, permanent ard
universal peace and sincere and cordial
amity between the United States of Amer
lea, on the one part, and the Empire of
Japan on the other part, and between these |
people respectively, without exception of
persons or places.
ARTICLE II.
The port of Simoda. in the principality !
of IdZu, and the port of Hakodade in the !
principally of Matsmai, are granted by :
the japanese as ports for the reception of
American ships, where they can be sup (
piled with wood. water, provisions, and /.
coal, and other articles their necessities .
Tay require, as far as the Japanese have |
them The time for opening the first |
named port is Immediately on signing this 1
treaty; the last named port is to be opened |
Immediately after the same day in the /
ensuing japanese year.
ARTICLE III.
Whenever ships of the United States are
thrown or wrecked on the coast of Japan |
the Japanese vessels will assist them and
carry their crews to Simoda or Hakodade,
and hand them OVER to the countrynen
appointed 20 receive them: whatever ar
ticles the shiDwrecked men may have pre-
served shall likewise be restored, and the
expense incurred in the rescue and support
of Americans and japanese who may thus
be thrown upon the shores of either ma
tion are not TO be refunded.
ARTICLE ".
Those shipwrecked persons and other
citizens of the United States shall! be free
as in other countries. and not subject TO
confinement, hut shall be amenable TO Just
laws.
ARTICLE V.
Shipwrecked men and other citizens of
the United States. temporarily living at
Simoda and Hokodade. shall not be sub
ject TO such restrictions ard confinement
as the Dutch and Chinese are at NagasaEi /
but shall be free at Simoda to go where
they please within the limits of seven
japanese miles (or Ri from a small is
land in the harbor of Simoda; and shall
In like manner be free to go where they
please at Hakodade, within limits TO be
defined after the visit of the United States
squadron to that place.
ARTICLE VI
II there be any other sort of goods
wanted. or any business which snail re- !
luire 10 be arranged there shall he care
full deliberations between the pUrters in
order to settle such matters.
ARTICLE VII
1t is agreed that ships OF the United
States visiting TO the ports open to them
shall be permitted to exchange gold and
silver coin and articles Of goods for other
articles OF goods, under such regulations
rs shall be temporarily established by
he japanese Government for that pur-
pose. II is stipulated, however. that the
;hips of the United States shall be per-
nitted 10 carry away whatever articles |
they are unwilling TO exchange.
aDTTCu II VIII