No. 63.
Mr. Hubbard to Mr. Bayard.
United States Legation,
Tokio, Japan
,
September 24, 1887. (Received October
24.)
No. 383.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith,
for the information of the Department of State, a copy of a note
received from his excellency the minister for foreign affairs, in
reply to my note of the 30th ultimo in pursuance of your instruction
(circular) dated July 9, 1887.
The Department will observe that in this instanceas in all similar
propositions heretoforethe Japanese Government, while earnestly
professing a desire to enter into separate reciprocal conventions
for mutual considerations of benefit to be received by the high
contracting parties through such conventions, yet declare that,
under the favored nation clause of the existing treaties, it can not
be done by their Government [Page 1938] in the comprehensive sense intended by the
invitation of the United States Government, conveyed by your
instruction.
The note herewith of the minister for foreign affairs fully explains
the status of this Government in response to my note acquainting
that minister of the desire of my Government in the premises.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure with No.
383.Translation.]
Count Inouye
Kaoru to Mr. Hubbard.
Department
for Foreign Affairs,
Tokio
,
the 15th day, the 9th month, the 20th
year of Meiji
.
No. 7637.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your excellency’s note of the 30th ultimo, in
which you inclosed copies of a communication from the honorable
the Secretary of State of the United States and two acts of
Congress, approved June 26, 1884, and June 19, 1886,
respectively, and invited His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s
Government to unite with your excellency’s Government in a
measure looking to the reciprocal abolition of tonnage and light
dues upon vessels employed in the trade between the ports of
Japan and those of the United States.
While His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Government warmly
appreciate the friendly spirit that inspired the invitation, and
fully recognize the enlightened and liberal aim of the
Government of the United States in the endeavor to ameliorate
the condition) of shipping, they are, nevertheless, prevented by
their conventional engagements with other powers from accepting
the invitation in its most comprehensive sense.
I have not, however, failed to observe, as pointed out by Mr.
Bayard, that the act of Congress, in accordance with which the
invitation was issued, is broad enough to cover a reduction as
well as a total extinction of tonnage and equivalent charges on
navigation. In order, therefore, that vessels interested may, to
a limited extent at least, avail themselves of the benefits of
the law, I beg to assure your excellency that vessels of the
United States engaged in the foreign trade of Japan are in all
respects placed upon an exact equality with national vessels
engaged in the same trade and upon the same footing as the
vessels of the most favored nation. No tonnage or light dues
whatever are levied in the ports of Japan upon American vessels,
but in lieu thereof, and in lieu of all similar charges, an
entrance fee of $15 and a clearance fee or $7 at each entry and
clearance, irrespective of burthen, is collected from American
vessels in common with all other foreign going ships.
I avail, etc.,
