practically meant nothing less than the innnediate subjection of aliens residing in the interior to Japanese jurisdiction, and oral abolition of extraterritoriality within the space of five years. Mr. Lowder mentioned with regret the failure of the nego. lations of 1887, when a leading feature of the negotiations was the suggestion that a large number of fureign experts should be added to the Japavese Bench in order to protect our interests; and touched with telling pertinancy upon Lord Salisbury's virtual reject tion of the less liberal propositions submitted two years later, on the ground that the appointment of four foreign judges in the Court of Appeal" would not be sufficient safe-guard for the protection of our interests." Mr. Litchfield seconded the resolution, and upon its being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously. The second resolution was supported in a short, but unfortauately for the most part—vexatious'y—inaudible speech by Mr. Gay (of Walsh, Hall & Ca). Mr. Gay rightly afirmed that new treaties could not be retrospective, so far as property was concerned"; adding the properties were all sold at auction by the Government, proving that the right of property was acquired, apart from the ground rents, (!) and those received certain guarantees, which guarantees could not be taken away without the consent of the holders." He affirmed that "'no reduction of ground-rent will compen-lice-haunted right of public, subject under the new arrangement 7 and stated that the income tax (of Japan) timorous intention was frustrated; alone is about 74d. in the £, nut to speak of stamps on documents." Mr, Shand seconded this resolution, which also was unanimously carried. The third and final resolution elicited upon call a lengthy speech from Mr. Brouke (the former editor, and still if Lmistake not, more or less interested in the Japan He ald, for many years the no less uncompromising than bitter antagonists of Japanese claims and Japanese pretensions). Mr. Brooke well stated that "*there is an amount of supervision and surveillance in this country which may be tolerated by the natives, but which is altogether foreign and alien to that degree of freedom" which we are accustomed to. His allusions to the value of habeas corps, to the safeguard possessed in the jury system, despite its occasional shortoominga, to the sanctity of the Englishman's home, were relevant and to the point. On one topic however he appeared not to be fully in accord with the mover of the preceding resolution. Mr. Brooke announced that "we are all willing to submit toa certain amount of additional taxes"; Mr. Gay attired that "no reduction of ground rent would compensate for the taxation " the new arrangement
Mr. Kingdon (of Kingdon, Schwabe & Ca.) 1 contemplation would speedily introduce, seconded the final resolution, and this, as its precursors, was carried by & unanimous vote. The election of a Standing Commi tee and the passing of a richly merited vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the unique proceedings tu a close, This Committee which may possibly play a striking part in connection with Revision, although there are rumours abroad tu the effect that the new and objectionable treaty, has already been signed, is composed of the following gentlemen. ' British—Messrs, J: A, Fraser, F. Lowder, J. H. Brooke, Groom, J. D. Hutchison, R. John: stone, N. PB. Kingdon, W. H, Taylor, James Walter, W. Gordon, F. Townley, D. Frazer, R.A, Wylie, W. J. S. Shand and A. Barnard; American—Messrs, A, 0. Gay, B. C. Howard, J. Lindsley and Varnum; German-—Messrs. 0.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.