Treaties is drawing near, it is a matter for heartfelt joy and satisfaction that, while, on one hand, the responsibilities devolving upon the country cannot but increase Our friendship with the Treaty Powers, on the other, it has been placed on a foundation stronger than ever. "We expect that Our loyal subjects, ever ready faithfully to discharge public duties, will, in obedience to Our wishes, conform to the national polity of enlightenment and progress, and be united as one man in treating the people from far-off lands with cordiality, and in thereby endeavouring to uphold the character of this nation and enhance the glory of the Empire. "Further, we command Our Ministers of State to undertake the responsibility of putting the revised Treaties into operation in such a manner that, by means of proper supervision over their subordinates, and the exercise of prudence and discretion, both Our born subjects and strangers may be enabled equally to participate in the benefits accruing from the new system, and that the friendly relations with the Treaty Powers may be permanently cemented." Marquis ARITOMO YAMAGATA, Minister Count MASAYOSHI MATSUKATA, Minister Marquis TSUKUMICHI SAIGO, Minister of Viscount TARO KATSURA, Minister of War. Viscount SHUZO AOKI, Minister of Foreign Viscount AKIMASA YOSHIKAWA, Minister GOMBEI YAMAMOTO, Minister of the Navy. May fulfilment wait on the hopes attached to this new epoch! Above all things, may the Japanese people never forget that their entrance into the comity of European nations carries with it duties as well as rights, and that only continuance on the path of enlightened progress already trod, with serious application to the tasks of civilisation still awaiting them, can render secure the position among the Powers which has been achieved by Japan with so much persevering labour. APPENDIX TREATY OF COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN Signed at London, July 16, 1894 [RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED AT TÔKIÔ, HER MAJESTY the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, being equally desirous of maintaining the relations of good understanding which happily exists between them, by extending and increasing the intercourse between their respective States, and being convinced that this object cannot better be accomplished than by revising the Treaties hitherto existing between the two countries, have resolved to complete such a revision, based upon principles of equity and mutual benefit, and, for that purpose, have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say: Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, the Right Honourable John, Earl of Kimberley, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, &c., &c., Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; And His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Viscount Aoki Siuzo, Junii, first class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of St. James'; Who, after having communicated to each other their Full Powers, found to be in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles :— ARTICLE I. The subjects of each of the two High Contracting Parties shall have full liberty to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the dominions and possessions of the other Contracting Party, and shall enjoy full and perfect protection for their persons and property. They shall have free and easy access to the Courts of Justice in pursuit and defence of their rights; they shall be at liberty equally with native subjects to choose and employ lawyers, advocates, and representatives to pursue and defend their rights before such Courts, and in all other matters connected with. the administration of justice they shall enjoy all the rights and privileges enjoyed by native subjects. In whatever relates to rights of residence and travel; |