Mr. Dun to Mr. Olney.
Ratifications will be exchanged of the treaty between Germany and Japan on the 18th instant, on which date seventeenth article of the treaty is to take effect. (See my dispatch No. 410.) I am informed officially Government of Japan is willing to put into operation simultaneously sixteenth article of the new treaty with the United States. Japanese Government suggests that Article XVIII of that treaty, as far as it relates to patent and trade-mark laws of Japan, be brought into operation at the same time; but if this is objectionable to the Government of the United States, they will expect courts of the United States in Japan to enforce those laws. Is it necessary to conclude formal trade-marks convention? If so, will you authorize me to negotiate on one or the other proposals?