Show JAPAN MAKES A PROTEST tariff schedules that discriminate against that country japanese minister la a note couched in the most corteous language hints that japan may retaliate in kind washington D C june 19 the protest made by the japanese govern mut against the pending tariff bill ie formally lor mally embodied in a note from min later toru cosbi under aate june ard 3rd the protest is in the most courteous language but there ie firmness of tone observable abac ales the re monstrance may be followed by acta of retaliation it disregarded the note begies with an for expressing an opinion that under ordinary conditions might be regarded as trenching apon domestic affairs but chitea as a justification the fact that important japanese interests are involved and that in the opinion of the minister the proposed increase of duties will injure the united states no less than japan by retarding the growth of promising relations the articles of japanese production that will be most seriously affected bays the protest are light weight silks silk handkerchiefs matting hemp and jute rugs carpets and tea in the case of silks the minister says the proposed duty will amount to adva lorem rate of s between 95 and per cent and upon f handkerchiefs the duty will be 10 per cent more these batee it ds stated are practically prohibitory and bear upon silka peculiar to japan A prosperous trade has been built up in japanese matting now admitted free and in general use among the poorer classes the proposed duty saya the minister will be so heavy that the trade cannot survive lu this article not now manufactured in the united states the duty upon hemp jute rugs and carpels will amount to nearly 60 per cent and this another seve to Japanese commerce As to the tea the minister says the sudden change of tho policy of the united states from importation free to a duty from 50 to per cent has awakened in the japanese mind the gravest fear for the stability of the tea industry tor jears fn a depressed condition although furnishing two thirds of the tea imported into the united states the minister bays that while the imperial does not ebare the general belief that this was intended to discriminate diseri minate japanese commerce it is an unfortunate coincidence that imports from japan most affected are specialties of japanese production in conclusion the minister says As I 1 have the honor to state the im aerial government is far from sharing in a belief for which no warrant in the cordial attitude always maintained by the united beatea toward japan but nevertheless they do not think it either wise or prudent to ignore a sentiment which jander certain circumstances cum stances might faava a most unfortunate effect upon the relations of the two countries they hope moreover that it will not be forgotten that will be attributed in conae degree to the fact that no american importation to japan pays at present anything more than a nominal duty and the further circumstance that the legislature ol 01 japan has already olini fied its intention of hereafter levying only a moderate im post upon american commerce |