Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26
TO READJUST TRADE.
Japan to Take important Step
Under New Agreement.
CONVENTION ONE OF MANY
Other Great Powers Will Receive
Similar Treaties, It Is Said.
GRATEFUL TO UNITED STATES
Nippon Government Feels That This
Country Has Set Example to
Other Nations.
CONVENTION ONE OF MANY
GRATEFUL TO UNITED STATES

The real Importance of the conclu-
sion Of the new treaty with Japan de-
ve,oped yesterday when it was learned
at the Japanese embassy that the con-
yention is in fact. the first of set
of treaties which Japan has projected
to readjust her trade and commercial
relations with the great powers, and
even the lesser nations with which she
has built up trade 1t is true that
there has been much negotiation on
this subject, and the drafts of as many
as thirteen trade treaties have been
drawn, but SO far none Of them has
been actually finally ratified and put
into operation.
So it happens that while it was
originally expected that the United
States might be year behind the
other powers in the conclusion of
new treaty with Japan, by reason of
the fact that the existing treaty would
not expire until July, 1912. this coun-
try has actually gone to the front and
acted as pioneer for all of the other
countries which are recasting their
trade relations with that country
For the reason that the United
States has not insisted upon claiming
the very last year under the present
treaty; that 1t has not. al was expect
ed In some quarters, waited to see
what other nations were doing. hut
with full confidence in the honor of
Japan, has led the way in unanimously
ratifying the new treaty, the Jana
nese government and people are deeply
grateful In the opinion of the Jana
nese embassy this action will do much
to inspire the closest friendship be-
tween the two great nations.
Reflects Feeling of Friendship.
Secretary Knox's own views are set
out in this statement:
The promise of the Senate in Civ
ing It's constitutional consent to the
ratification of the treaty between the
United States and Japan Is especially
gratifying because 1T so sienallv re
meets the cordial feeling of friendship
"hlch America has for Japan and be-
cause 1T will rightly be understood in
Japan as one more of the signs Of
speclal amity which this government
Japan's relations with the western
world. n
No small part of the credit which uyi,,
dltacn 70 every one connected with the
eeso.iation OF this notable treaty will
Iall to the share of Baron Uchida. tho
Japanese ambassador In Washington II
IS regarded as remarkable achievement
Tor diplomatic officer to bring about
tue conclusion or a convention such as
TINS after residence Of little more than
year in country to which he came as
a total stranger.
Customs Duties Under Old Treaties.
Regarding the condition in the proto-
col of the treaty that pending the con-
cluston OF a special arrangement relating
to tariff the provisions relating to tariff
in the treaty of the I'D OF November,
1894, shall be maintained" 1t is said au-
thoritatively that there viii be no effort
in the immediate future to make such a
special arrangement between the United
States and Japan. Instead, the business
of the two countries will be conducted,
SO far as customs duties are concerned,
under the terms of the old treaty.
The United States will not be the loser
by this it is stated, for even if Japan
should conclude special trade arrange
ments with other countries whereby
they will secure an abatement OF import
duties upon their goods entering Japan, |
the latter government will. under the ia |
vored nation clause, Immediately extend |
the same privilege to like imports from |
the United States.
That state Of affairs will continue In |
definitely or until the two countries see |
tit TO enter into one of these special trade |
perhaps ON the lines OF
the Canadian reciprocity agreement.