Premature Reports Commercial Agreement Tokio May 19.
The French and Japanese" representatives have reached an in-[formal agreement to grant to Japan most favoured nation treatment concerning the Customs of Indo-'China in principle though reserving the right to fix protective duties on articles which might possibly.compete with Indo-China or French Industries.
The agreement will be submitted to Paris where a new commercial treaty is now being discussed, but it is understood that the agreement. jeoncerning Indo-China will be a separate document.
M. Merlin, the Governor-General of Indo-China, will leave here tomorrow. On his homeward journey will visit Kioto, Nara and clsewhere.
According to a Foreign Office representative, no political question for understandings were discussed during the visit of M. Merlin—Reuter's Pacific Service.
Tokio, May 20, Merlin,.the Governor-General of Indo-China, and his party left for Kioto this morning. They wera seen off by Baron Matsui, the Foreign Minister, officials of the Foreign Office' and Municipal Late Before leaving Tokio M. Merit donated Y. 5,000 for the relief of the poor in Tokio and Y. 2,000 for the relief of the poor in Yokohama,—Reuter's Pacific Service.
Paris, May 20.
Telegrams which were published in the press announcing the conclusion of a preliminary Franco-Japs ese commercial convention are described "as incorrect semi-official statement, which adds that the French" Government ply instructed M, Merlin, Indo:
China, to consider in ce vert. with the Japanese Government means of improving relations between Indo-China and Japan, M. Merlin had not made his report yot. The statement says that no aygreoment, could be made until the negotiators fof both countries had met in Paris, 'The French Government had. in formed Tokio of their willingness. to negotiate a proper commercial convention to replace the existing temporary agreement, but they await the result of' M. Merlin's conversations before negotiation in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.