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.,
