5727/238–239.
The Japanese Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, June 20, 1908.
Sir: In Department Circular No. 36 of the Treasury Department, dated Washington, June 1, 1907, relative to the commercial agreement between the United States and Germany of April of the same year, it is, among others, provided and published that “the certificates as to value issued by German chambers of commerce shall be accepted by appraisers as competent evidence and be considered by them in connection with such other evidence as may be adduced.”
Having been apprised of the fact that the treatment thus accorded by the United States Government to German chambers of commerce has since been extended to those at Great Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy and some other countries, the Imperial Government desires that the same treatment be equally accorded to Japanese chambers of commerce.
I accordingly have the honor to request that, if the concession or recognition above referred to, is in its nature one given generally and unconditionally, you will be so good as to see that the same treatment be extended to Japanese chambers of commerce, which are recognized by and organized under the laws of the Empire.
I may be permitted to inclose herewith, for your information, an English translation of principal provisions of the law governing the formation, powers, and functions of Japanese chambers of commerce,1 from which you will find that while they are bodies formed by private individuals, they are, in their nature, public institutions of the country and quasi-administrative branches of the Government; their formation, powers, and functions as well as the management of affairs being provided by the law and placed under Government control and superintendence.
Any further details you may desire to obtain as to provisions of the laws and regulations governing Japanese chambers of commerce, I shall be glad to furnish you on being so advised.
Accept, etc.,
- Not printed.↩