No. 65.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hubbard.
Department of State,
Washington
,
February 4,
1888.
No. 186.]
Sir: I have received your No. 117 of
December 28, 1887, concerning the desire of Japan to enter into a
convention for the abolition of tonnage or equivalent charges on
merchant vessels plying between the United States and Japan.
A copy of your dispatch was at once communicated to the Secretary of
the Treasury, a copy of whose reply, dated the 1st instant, is
herewith transmitted. To enable full consideration of the subject
and a definite reply to be made to the inquiry of the Japanese
minister for foreign affairs as to the future status of Japanese and
other vessels proceeding to the United States respecting navigation
charges, it will be necessary to ascertain the amount of tax or
taxes, equivalent to tonnage or lighthouse dues, imposed in Japan on
American vessels.
You will therefore take occasion to obtain this information, which
should be set forth in detail, if possible, in accordance with the
suggestion of the Secretary of the Treasury.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
186.]
Mr. Fairchild to Mr. Bayard.
Treasury Department
,
February 1, 1888.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter, dated the 24th ultimo, relating to
the proposal of the Government of Japan to take advantage of the
provisions of the act of Congress approved June 19, 1886,
entitled “An act to abolish certain fees,” etc.
The copy of a letter from the Japanese minister for foreign
affairs, accompanying the United States minister’s dispatch,
states that the charges in Japan are less than the dues
ordinarily imposed in the United States, and inquires what the
future status of Japanese and other vessels proceeding to the
United States will be in respect of navigation charges.
Before replying to his inquiry, this Department suggests that
information he obtained through the proper officers of the
United States in Japan as to the amount of tax or taxes,
equivalent to tonnage or lighthouse dues, imposed in Japan on
American vessels. Not only the amount should be ascertained, but
the frequency of the charge should be also stated, to enable
this Department to determine the question which will arise under
section 14 of the act of June 26, 1884, as amended by section 11
of the act of June 19, 1886. There should be also explicit
information to show whether or not the fees or dues, of any kind
or nature, imposed on vessels of the United States, or the
import or export dues on their cargoes, arc in excess of the
fees, dues, or duties imposed on the vessels of Japan or on the
cargoes of such vessels.
I am, etc.,
C. S. Fairchild,
Secretary.