The uncertainty attending the suggested visit of President Felix Faure to Russia is now finally dis, of, A formal invitation has been received from the Czar, and M. Faure will start about the 18th of August. Public opinion had been carefully "felt" beforehand by numerous newspaper notes, some denying that the visit was even contemplated, some asserting that it was fully arranged, and others going so far as to give a variety of details of the reception. There is no great onthusiasm over the idea at present, but no doubt that will be worked up later om To-morrow the Chamber of Deputies will be asked to vote £20,000 for the expenses of the journey. The Socialists will, of course, oppose the vote and declare the President's absence from Franco unconstitutional, but their tactics are merely #0 much playing to the gallery to please their electors. The announcement of the visit at the present juncture is evidently intend. ed as a set-off against the Jubilee fetes and especially the naval review, which created an immense impression here.
JAPANESE GOOD FAITH, A Berne correspondent draws attention to a characteristic piece of Japanese diplomacy which has been disclosed in the negotiations over the commercial treaty between Japan and Switzerland. The negotiations were long and laborious and were once or twice on the point of bein, broken off altogether, in consequence of the refusal of the Japanese representative to include certain Swiss manufactures, notably, watches and clocks, in the treaty. As Switzerland exports 400,000 watches every year to Japan, it was felt that there must be some guarantee against the imposition of protective duties. Eventually, however, the Federal Council gave way on receiving an assurance that under circumstances should protective duties be placed on articles not covered by the treaty. The Japanese representative distinctly promised, on the authority of his government, that nothing more than a mere fiscal tax would be imposed. This assurance was duly recorded in the pro cts-verbal and the treaty was drawn up in accordance with the wishes of the Japanese. It was subsequently ratified by the Swiss Parlin ment in spite of the opposition of a deputy representing the watch industry who considered that the guarantee was not sufficient. The Japanese Parliament in turn ratified the treaty but also made various changes in the tantis, placing a duty of 30% on gold watches and 25% on those in other metals. The Japanese market was thus practically closed to Swiss watchmakers, in spite of the promise that nothing more than a mere fiscal tax should be imposed. The Swiss Federal Council is now considering the matter and there is a strong disposition to refuse to exchange signatures. In the meantime fresh negotiations have been opened on the point. The Japanese Government will no doubt take refuge behind the decision of the Diet, in which case the Swiss will either have to ket the affront or sacrifice the watch industry for the sake of the other advantages conferred by the treaty. In any event there must remain a strong suspicion that the Japanese Government arranged to have its hand forced by the Diet, This
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.