PAM. CHINA The American Asiatic Association 1900 THE LEHMAIER PRESS, 78 AND eO BEEKMAN 8T., N. V The American Asiatic Association IPresiHent Everett Feazar, 65 Wall Street, New York lUice^lIDreailjent Samuel D. Brewster, 79 Leonard Street, New York (Ereaauret Joseph R. Patterson, 87 Front Street, New York Sectctarg John Foord, P. O. Box 1500, New York ®jcecutitoe Committee Clarence Cary, 59 Wall Street, New York Thomas A. Phelan, 93 Front Street, New York William H. Stevens, 100 William Street, New York Lowell Lincoln, 216 Church Street, New York Silas D. Webb, 32 Burling Slip, New York Albert Cordes, 50 Exchange Place, New York Francis B. Thurber, 143 Chambers Street, New York The AMERiCAisr Association OF China SDfftceris Rev. F. L. Hawks Pott, President J. F. Seaman, Vice-President V. G. Lyman, Secretary Frank P. Ball, Treasurer QErcciittbe Committee F. E. Haskell Rev. Dr. J. R. Hykes R. W. Mustard J. S. Fearon Rev. W. P. Bentley Rev. J. C. Ferguson A. W. Danforth The American Asiatic Association OF Japan ©ffi'ceris James R. Morse, President G. W. Middleton, Vice-President G. H. SciDMORE, Hon. Treasurer L. H. Abel, Hon. Secretary Cjcecutttie Committee John Lindsley E. R. Smith B. C. Howard J. W. COPMANN T. L. Brower A. O. Gay Rev. E. S. Booth Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/americanasiaticaOOunse COi^STITUTIOi^. ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of this Association is “ The American Asiatic Association.” ARTICLE 11. objects and purposes. The objects and purposes of this Association are : 1. To foster and safeguard the trade and commercial interests of the citizens of the United States, and others associated therewith, in the Empires of China, Japan, and Korea, and in the Philippine Islands, and elsewhere in Asia or Oceania ; 2. To secure the advantages of sustained watchfulness and readiness for action, attainable by union and permanent organization, in respect of such Asiatic trade, and as well in matters of legislation, or treaties affecting the samej 3. To promote the creation and maintenance of a con- sular service of the United States in Asia and in Oceania, wdiich shall be founded upon the principles of uniform selec- tion for proved fitness, of regular promotion, security of tenure during good service, and adequate compensation j 4. To iirovide for convenient ascertainment and dis- tribution of information affecting the interests of its mem- bers; 5. And, generally to promote a beneficial acquaintance 6 and association of those having interests and pursuits in common concerned with such trade or commerce. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP. Section 1. Any person of full age, who is or may be- come interested in the trade now or hereafter to be con- ducted by the United States in or with the Empires of China, Japan, and Korea, or elsewhere in Asia or Oceania, shall be eligible to membership in tlie Association. Corporations and firms are eligible for membership in the same manner as individuals and shall be respectively entitled to one vote each at any meeting of the Association, as if they were indi- vidual members. Sec. 2. After the first enrolment, applicants for mem- bership in the Association shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another member in writing. Sec. 3. Membership shall be acquired only upon ap- proval and election by a majority of the Executive Com- mittee, and upon payment of the current dues. If an applicant for membership shall fail to pay such current dues within sixty days of notice of election addressed to him by mail at such place as may be given as his address in the application for membership, his election shall be void. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. Sec. 4. The Association may, by a majority vote of the members at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for the purpose, admit to honorary membership in the Association such person or persons as shall have rendered eminent political, diplomatic or military service in the ad- vancement or protection of American Asiatic trade or com- 7 merce, and such honorary members shall not he chargeable with any dues. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. OFFICERS. Section 1. The officers of the Association shall he a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Sec. 2. There shall be an Executive Committee, consist- ing of seven members. Sec. 3. The officers and the members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the preliminary meeting for the organization of the Association and at each annual meet- ing thereafter. The officers and members of the Execu- tive Committee elected at such preliminary meeting shall hold office until the next annual meeting, or until their suc- cessors are chosen. They shall thereafter be elected at each annual meeting and shall hold office for one year thereafter or until their successors are elected. Sec. 4. The officers of the Association shall he ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. ARTICLE V. PRESIDING OFFICERS. The President or, in his absence, the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings of the Association. ARTICLE VI. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall collect all dues and claims of the Association, and shall deposit its funds in a proper deposit- 8 ary to be selected by the Executive Committee j he shall keej) the accounts of the Association and report thereon at each regidar meeting of the Executive Committee and of the Association. Such accounts shall be audited by the Ex- ecutive Committee annually. He shall pay all bills when certified as correct, as prescribed by the Executive Commit- tee, and shall also notify persons elected to membership of their election, and sign all checks of the Association unless otherwise provided by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall further perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Association or the Executive Committee. ARTICLE VII. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the Association and of the ExecutiAm Committee, and shall keep the minutes of such meetings. He shall conduct the corres- pondence, and keep the records of the Association. He shall furnish the Treasurer the names of all persons elected to membership, and shall be the keeper of the seal of the Asso- ciation. ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Section 1. The Executive Committee shall adopt a proper seal for the Association, and shall have general charge of its affairs, funds and propertj’’. It shall have full power and it shall be its duty to carry out the purposes of the Association according to the Constitution and By-Laws. Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall have power to fill all A’acancies which may occur in the ofiBces of the Asso- 9 elation for any nnexpired term of sncli office, and also to fill all vacancies in the membership of the Executive Committee until the next annual meeting or until an election may be held to fill any such vacancy. ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS. Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting of the Association in the City of New York on the third Thursday in October in each year, beginning with the year 1898, at such hour and place as the Executive Committee may desig- nate. Sec. 2. At all meetings of the Association ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If no quorum be present, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting to any other day thereafter. Sec. 3. Special meetings of the Association may be called at any time by the Executive Committee. Upon the written request of five members the President or, in his ab- sence, the Vice-President shall call a special meeting of the Association. The request for a special meeting and also the notice of any special meeting shall state the object for which the meeting is called. Sec. 4. Notice of all meetings, whether annual or special, shall be mailed to each member of the Association at least three days prior to the meeting, at the address which such member shall furnish to the Secretary for that purpose. ARTICLE X. ANNUAL DUES. Section 1. The annual dues for membership in the Association shall be ten dollars, payable annually in advance on the first day of July in each year. 10 Sec. 2. Should the dues of any member remain unpaid for the space of two months, the Treasurer shall cause him to be notified by mail of the fact, and if such member then fails to pay such dues within two months after such notice shall have been deposited in the mail, his name may be stricken from the rolls by the vote of a majority present at any meeting held thereafter; but such defaulting member may at any time thereafter be restored to membership by a like majority vote of the Association at any meeting of the same, and on payment of all such dues as may then be in arrear. ARTICLE XL CENSURE, EXPULSION, ETC. Any member may be censured, suspended or expelled for a violation of this Constitution or of any rule or By-Law established thereunder, or for any conduct which in the opinion of the Association is improper and prejudicial to the welfare and reputation of the Association, by a vote of three-fourths of the members of the Association present at any regular meeting thereof, provided ten days’ previous notice in writing of such meeting have been given to the member whose case may be thus under consideration, to- gether with a statement of the charge which has been made against him. ARTICLE XII. RESIGNATIONS. Resignations of membership shall be made to the Sec- retary in writing, and shall be duly accepted, provided such member shall be in good standing and shall not be in default of any current annual dues at the time of offering his resignation. 11 ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be amended at any annual meet- ing of the Association or at any special meeting called for the purpose by a two-thii-ds vote in the affirmative, a quorum being present and voting. Notice of proposed amendments shall be furnished to the Secretary at least fifteen days be- fore the meeting at which it is proposed to consider them, and the Secretary shall cause such notice to be printed and sent to the address of each member at least ten days before such meeting. ARTICLE XIV. BY-LAWS. By-Laws not inconsistent with this Constitution may be proposed and adopted at any regular meeting of the Associa- tion, or at any special meeting called for the purpose of con- sidering the same, but the terms or nature of such By-Laws must be set forth in the notice to be given of any meeting at which they are so to be considered. 12 HISTORY. The Association had its origin in a conference of mer- chants and others interested in the maintenance of tlie com- mercial rights and privileges possessed by the United States in China, held at 59 Wall Street, New York, on Thursday, January 6, 1898. Mr. James McGee of the Standard Oil Com- pany presided, and it was resolved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to confer with the appropriate com- mittee of the Chamber of Commerce and, if deemed desirable, to communicate with other commercial bodies throughout the country in relation to the methods to be adopted to con- serve the rigths of citizens of the United States in the Chinese Empire. The committee thus appointed consisted of Mr. Everett Frazar of Frazar & Company, Mr. S. D. Brewster of Deering, Milliken & Company, Captain E. L. Zalinski of the Bethlehem Iron Company, Mr. Clarence Cary of Cary & AVhitridge, and Mr. John Foord of the Journal of Commerce & Commercial Bulletin. This committee conferred with the Committee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws of the Chamber of Commerce, and submitted to it the following petition, together with other data bearing on the trade and treaty rights of American citizens in China: To the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York: The undersigned merchants, manufacturers and others interested in the large and rapidly growing export trade of the United States in the Empire of China, believing that the movements of European powers recently occurring, and likely to further occur within the territory of such Empire, affect, and may ultimately prove highly detrimental to the trade privileges now enjoyed there by American citizens under their existing treaty rights, hereby respectfully urge 13 the Chamber of Commerce, of tlie State of New York, to consider, and to take such immediate action in the premises as may be deemed expedient and proper, to the end that the present situation may he brought to tlie attention of the Department of State, at Washington, and that the important commercial iutei’ests of the United States, together with ex- isting treaty rights of her citizens in China, may be duly and prombtly further safeguarded. New York, January 13, 1998. Signed by Frazar & Co., 63-65 Wall Street. Carter, Macy & Co., 140-142 Pearl Street. John E. Ward, 59 Wall Street. The H. B. Claflin Co., by John Claflin, President, 224 Church Street. China & Japan Trading Co., Ltd., S. D. Webb, President, 32 Burling Slip. George F. Seward, 97-101 Cedar Street. C. P. Huntington, New York City. Standard Oil Co., by Wm. Rockefeller, President, New York City. The American Trading Co., Wm. H. Stevens, Treasurer, 100 Wil- liam Street. Wheelwright, Eldredge & Co., 61-63 Worth Street. Woodward, Baldwin & Co., 43-45 Worth Street. E. H. Sampson, 105 Worth Street. Smith, Hogg & Gardner, 115-117 Worth Street. Bliss, Fabyan & Co. , 117 Duane Street. Catlin & Co., 216 Church Street. Deering, Milliken & Co., 79-81 Leonard Street. Buckingham & Paulson, 83 Leonard Street. Noyes, Bausher & Gerrish, 19 Thomas Street. Minot, Hooper & Co., 40 Thomas Street. Joshua L. Baily & Co., 19-21 Thomas Street. Haines & Bishop, 70-72 Worth Street. Treat & Converse, 79-81 Worth Street. E. D. Cordes & Co., 50 Exchange Place. Irwin, McBride, Catherwood & Co., 92 Front Street. George W. Lane & Co., 93 Front Street. Mosle Bros., 16 Exchange Place. Hamilton & Cholwell, 128 Front Street. 14 The Pantasote Company, E. H. Outerbridge, Treasurer, 29 Broad- way. Cornell, Underhill & Bros., 13 Gold Street. Beebe & Bros., 130 Water Street. Hewlett & Lee, 132 Front Street. Osborn & Lindsley, 104 Front Street. Wm. A. Avis & Co., 91 Front Street. Wm. P. Room & Co., 91 Front Street. Jos. Allston, Gillet & Bro., 93 Wall Street. Jas. & John R. Montgomery & Co., 127-129 Water Street. Cass & Mote, 68 Pine Street. The G. B. Farrington Co., D. C. Johnson, President, 151 Front Street. Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., by P. F. M. Kobbe, Third Vice-President, 120 Broadway. H. W. Johus Mfg. Co., 100 William Street. E. F. Phelan, 125 Front Street. Fearon, Daniel & Co., per J. R. Patterson, attorney, 87 Front Street. Alfred H. Post, 13 William Street. Chas. A. Schieren & Co., 47 Ferry Street. Manning, Maxwell & Moore, 111-113 Liberty Street. Pond Machine Tool Co., Plainfield, N. J. The Ashcroft Manufacturing Co., Ill Liberty Street, N. Y. The Consolidated Safety Valve Co., 113 Liberty Street, N. Y. The Hayden & Derby Manufacturing Co., Ill Liberty Street, N. Y. Burnham, Williams & Co., Baldwin Locomotive Works, Phila- delphia, Pa. Hookes & Townsend, bolt, nut and rivet manufacturers, Phila- delphia. Edwin Harrington, Son & Co., Incorporated, machine tool builders, 1505 Penn Avenue, Philadelphia. Wm. Sellers & Co., Incorporated, Wm. Sellers, President, ma- chine tools, etc., 1600 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia. Jackson & Sharp Co., Job H. Jackson, President, Wilmington, Del. The Pusey & Jones Co., Charles H. Pusey, President, Wilming- ton, Del. The J. Morton Poole Co., Wm. T. Porter, President, Wilming- ton, Del. Diamond State Iron Co., George W. Todd, President, Wilming- ton, Del. Hilles & Jones Co., T. Allen Hilles, Vice-President, Wilmington, Del. The Seidel & Hastings Co., by Wm. P. Hastings, Treasurer, Wil- mington, Del. 15 Pittsburg Locomotive & Car Works, T. Wilson Miller, President, Pittsburg, Pa. Brooks Locomotive Works, by F. H. Stevens, President, Dun- kirk, N. Y. Rogers Locomotive Co., by Robert S. Hughes, President, Pater- son, N. J. James H. Wilson, Wilmington, Del. Hartford Carpet Co., by J. L. Houston, President, Thompson- ville. Conn. Cooke Locomotive & Machine Co., John S. Cooke, President, Paterson, N. J. The Bethlehem Iron Co., Robt. T. Linderman, President, South Bethlehem, Pa. The Carnegie Steel Co., Limited, per C. M. B., Pittsburg, Pa. The Illinois Steel Co., per C. C. Cluff, Eastern Agent. Througli its chairman, Mr. Gustav H. Schvrab, the Com- mittee on Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws sub- mitted the following report to the Chamber of Commerce at its regular monthly meeting of February 3, 1898 : Your Committee find that the citizens of the United States in China are accorded certain trade rights and priv- ileges under three treaties concluded at various times between the United States Government and that of the Empire of China, guaranteeing to the citizens of the United States, under the so-called favored nation clause all right, privileges and favors granted by China to any other nation. Further- more they find that the export trade from the United States to China and Hong Kong, as far as it could be determined from the returns of trade, has increased in value from the sum of $8,117,059 in 1893, to the sum of $17,978,065 in 1897. These figures are incomplete, as the sums quoted and taken from the Chinese customs returns represent goods carried directly between an American and a Chinese port, whereas goods transhipped in a British or foreign port appear under the head of imports from the intermediate country. The total quantity of exports from the United States to China, therefore, in reality is without doubt considerably larger. The returns given by your Committee, nevertheless, indicate a considerable growth in the exports from the United States 16 to China in the present condition of trade with that country, which is limited to certain treaty ports, and it is to be ex- pected that with the further opening of the Empire to West- ern civilization, and the removal of restrictions to trade now existing, the export of American products to China will con- tinue to show an increasing growth. Steps have been taken by European powers to occupy Chinese territory, and to acquire title to such territory whereby the jurisdiction of the Chinese Empire over the ter- ritory thus ceded would cease and the laws of the foreign government would prevail. Under these circumstances your Committee believe that the privileges in China, now enjoyed by American citizens under existing treaty rights, should be jealously guarded and carefully watched, and that tlie Chamber of Commerce should impress upon our Government the increasing value of the export trade of the country to the Empire of China and the imperative necessity for its protection, in view of the action taken by European powers in the East. Your Committee, therefore, submit the following me- morial to the President of the United States, embodying these views and urging that steps be taken to safeguard the commercial interests of the United States in China: To the President of the United States, Washington, D. 0. ; The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York beg leave respectfully to represent : That there are important changes going on in the rela- tions of European powers to the Empire of China affecting the territory of that Empire, and to that extent affecting the privileges enjoyed under existing treaty rights by American citizens trading in and with China. That the trade of the United States to China is now rapidly increasing, and is destined, with the further oi^ening of that country, to assume large proportions unless arbi- trarily debarred by the action of foreign governments, the exports from the United States to China and Hong Kong, as far as they can be traced, having grown from $8,117,059 in 1893, to $17,978,965 in 1897. 17 Til at, in view of the changes threatening to future trade develoijnient of the United States in China, the Cham- ber of Commerce of the State of New York respectfully and earnestly ui’ge that such proper steps be taken as will com- mend themselves to your wisdom for the prompt and energetic defense of the existing treaty rights of our citizens in China, and for the preservation and protection of their important commercial interests in that Empire. And your memorialists will ever pray. All of which is respectfully submitted. (Signed) Gustav H. Schwab,"! Of Committee on James McCreery, I Foreign Com- Stephen W. Carey, f merce and the Jacques Huber, j Bevenue Laivs. New York, January 28, 1898. The report and memorial were adopted, and it was ordered that the memorial be engrossed, and signed by the officers of the Chamber, and sent to the President of the United States. To this communication the following reply was received from the Secretary of State: Department op State, Washington, February 11, 1898. A. E. Orr, Esq., President Chamber of Commeree, Few Torh, N. Y.; Sir: The President has referred to this Department the memorial of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, dated the 3d instant, in regard to the effect upon American trade of the changes now going on in the relations of European powers with the Empire of China. This Government having been the first to bring about the opening of the iiorts of China to foreign commerce, and the commercial relations of the United States with the Chinese Empire having been of large and growing importance during the forty years since its treaties with that Empire went into effect, this Department necessarily feels a dee}) 18 intei’est in conserving and expanding the volume of trade witli that country. I have pleasure, therefore, in assuring the Chamber of Commerce of the State New York, that this subject is being given the most careful consideration. Respectfully yours, (Signed) John Sherman. The Chambers of Commerce of Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, and San Francisco were also communicated with, and those of Philadelphia, Boston and San Francisco took action by sending similar communications to the President. The American Asiatic Association was formally organ- ized at a meeting held in New York on June 9th, 1898, with an enrolled membership of a little over fifty. The mem- bership now numbers 218. The activity of the organization has been duly recorded in its Journals, nine of which have already been issued. The Association has addressed itself in a variety of ways to the education of public sentiment in the United States in regard to the magnitude of the industrial and commercial interests involved in the main- tenance of our existing treaties with China. By bringing about the formation of the American Association of China and the American Asiatic Association of Jajjan, it has greatly expanded the representation of American interests in the Far East. From the American Association of China this Associa- tion has received a number of valuable suggestions bearing on the necessity of informing their fellow-countrymen at home in regard to the views of American merchants residing at Shanghai and other Chinese ports, and of keeping before the Government of the United States the necessity of as- suming a firm attitude in dealing with questions affecting the future of trade in China. These have been brought ta 19 tlie notice of the President of tlie United States and the Sec- retary of State, and have received courteous attention. But it became evident to those charged with the conduct of the work of the Association that to exercise its legitimate in- fluence in shaping the course of this Government in dealing with questions affecting trade in China, it was absolutely es- sential that the public sentiment of the country should be better informed and should find more emphatic expression than heretofore. The campaign of public education con- ducted by the Association through the press and by letters and pamphlets, as well as by its own journals, has prepared tlie way for the general appreciation and support of the policy of the Administration in securing an international guarantee for the maintenance of equality of commercial opportunity in the markets of China. Declarations have been made, at the instance of the Government of the United States, by Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Japan to tlie following effect : 1. That none of them will in any wise interfere with any treaty port or any vested interest within any so-called “sphere of interest” or leased territory it may have in China. 2. That the Chinese Treaty Tariff of the time being shall apply to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports as are within such “ spheres of interest ” (unless they be “ Free Ports”) no matter to what nationality it shall be- long, and that duties so leviable shall be collected by the Chinese Government. 3. That none of them will levy any higher harbor dues on vessels of another nationality frequenting any port in such “ sphere ” than shall be levied on vessels of its own nationalitj^, and no higher railroad charges shall be levied over lines built, controlled or operated within its sphere, on 20 merchandise belonging to citizens or subjects of other nation- alities transported through such “ sphere ” than shall be levied on similar merchandise belonging to its own nation- ality transported over equal distances. The Association has fully appreciated the value of this great diplomatic achievement, so thoroughly in the line of its own activity, but it has been compelled to recognize the fact that this is merely the first step towards the permanent establishment of the open door for commerce in China. There are so many international problems of the first mag- nitude, chief among them being the preservation of the in- tegrity of the Chinese Empire itself, bound up with the maintenance and extension of American influence in the Far East, as to render it certain that there is more important work before the Association even tlian any it has yet under- taken. In addition to questions of broader scope, the issues raised by the pending revision of the commercial clauses of the treaty of Tientsin, the changed status of foreigners be- fore the law in Japan, and the policy to be pursued in regard to trade and taxation in the Philippine Islands are among the subjects which will demand the attention of the Association in the immediate future. 21 American Treaty Rights in China. In presenting the petition to the Chamber of Commerce Committee the following information, prepared by Mr. Clarence Cary, was filed in regard to the history and status of existing treaties between the United States and the Empire of China: The first treaty, which was concluded July 3, 1844, at Wang Hiya in China, by Caleb Cushing on one side, and Tsiyaug, the Chinese Commissioner, on the other (commonly referred to as the Wang Hiya Treaty), contained the following provision under Article 2 : “Citizens of the United States resorting to China for the purposes of commerce will pay the duties of import and export prescribed in the tariff, which is fixed by and made part of this treaty. They shall in no case be subject to other or higher duties than are or shall be required of the people of any other nation whatever * * * and if additional advantages and privileges of whatever description be conceded hereafter by China to any other nation, the United States and the citizens thereof shall be entitled thereupon to a complete, equal and impartial participa- tion in the same.” This treaty, by Article III, named Kwangchow, Amoy, Suchow, Ningpo, and Shanghai as the five ports which the citizens of the United States were permitted to frequent, and where they might “reside with their families and trade,” and also “proceed at pleasure with their vessels and merchandise from any foreign port” (to any of such five ports, or from any one of such five ports, to the other). Attached to the treaty is the tariff to be paid upon goods imported and exported by the United States at the Custom Houses of the five ports referred to. The next treaty was concluded June 18, 18.'>8, at Tient-sin, by the American Representative, William B. Reed and the Chinese functionary Kweiliang. This treaty says on the particular point we are now concerned with, under section XXX (the first mention of the “most favored nation clause”), as follows: “The contracting parties hereby agree that shmrld at any time ‘Ta-Tsing Empire’ (which is the style in the treaties used in describing China), ‘grant to any nation or the merchants or citizens of any nation any right, privilege or favor connected either with navigation, commerce, political or other intercourse which is not conferred by this treaty, such right, privilege and 22 favor shall at once freely inure to the benefit of the United States, its public officers, merchants and citizens.” This Tient-sin treaty also contains provisions relating to then existing treaty ports, and stipulates, under Article XIV that the citizens of the United States are permitted to frequent the same, “and any other ports or place hereafter by treaty with other powers or with the United States opened to commerce, and to re- side with their families and trade there, and to proceed at pleasure with their vessels and merchandise from any of these ports to any other of them.” Article XY is to the effect that at each of the open ports, citizens of the United States “shall he permitted to import from abroad and sell, purchase and export, all merchandise of which the importation or exportation is not prohibited by laws of the Empire :” and after referring to the tariff of duties as being sub- stantially the same as that fixed by the treaty of Wang Hiya, above referred to, “except so far as it may be modified by treaties with other nations, it being expressly agreed that citizens of the United States shall never pay a higher duty than those paid by the ‘most favored nation.”’ A convention between China and the United States, concluded at Shanghai, November 8, 1858, between the same Mr. Keed and Kweiliang, refers to the foregoing Tient-sin Treaty and to its stipulation that the tariff shall be as in the Wang Hiya Treaty, in effect recapitulating the clause last above quoted and fixes new tariff and regulations. A further convention of the same date between the same parties and at the same place, has reference to liquidation of claims of American citizens, and does not concern the point we are at present considering. The next treaty was concluded July 28, 1868, at Washington, by William H. Seward, on the part of the United States, and Anson G. Burlingame and two others (native officials), on behalf of China. This is styled: “Additional articles to the treaty be- tween the United States and China of June 18, 1858, etc.” It con- tains nothing of consequence on the point we are now considering, hut in nowise changes the trade rights. The “most favored na- tion clause” in this treaty refers rather to rights of United States citizens “in respect to travel or residence, etc.” The next treaty was concluded November 17, 1880, at Pekin, by James B. Angell and two others on behalf of the United States, and Pao Chun and another, on behalf of China. It refers to the foregoing and supplemental treaty of the same date, proclaimed by the United States on October 5, 1881, refers to the foregoing treaty and recites the fact of certain points of incompleteness in 23 existing treaties between the two Governments, and in Article III, provides as follows : “His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of China, hereby prom- ises and agrees that no other kind or higher rate of tonnage dues or duties for imports or exports or coastwise trade shall be im- posed or levied in the open ports of China upon vessels wholly belonging to the citizens of the United States or upon the pro- duce, manufactures or merchandise imported in the same from the United States or from any foreign country, or upon the produce, manufactures or merchandise exported in the same to the United States, or to any foreign country, or transported in the same from one open port of China to another, than are imposed or levied on vessels or cargoes from any other nation or on those of Chinese subjects.” The above treaty of November 17, 1880, and the supplementa one proclaimed October 5, 1881, will be found in the United States Statutes at Large, Vol. 22, pp. 826 to 829. The above last mentioned treaties contain nothing else of material importance on the point immediately concerned, but it is of interest to note that that is the treaty which restricts Chinese immigration, its provisions being further put into effect in the UnitedStates by the comprehensive United States Statute of May 6, 1882, found in United States Statutes at Large, Vol. 22, p. 58, and subsequent ones of like purport . 24 THE CHIJ^A ASSOOIATIOK The China Association, on the lines of which the American Asiatic Association has been formed, was organized in London in 1889, “to represent, express, and give effect to the opinion of the British Mercantile Commnnity in their political and commercial relations with the Chinese and Japanese,” and “to promote and iirotect the trade, com- merce, shipping, and mannfactures of the United Kingdom, India, and the Colonies with and in China, Hong Kong, and Japan.” This Association has proved itself a power in all matters affecting the commercial i-elations of England in tlie Far East. It has branches and committees in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Yokohama, and its general membership in Great Britain and the East includes 537 individual names. The relations between the Association and the British Foreign Office are intimate and mutually advantageous in respect of the collection and diffusion of accurate informa- tion. The substantial identity of purpose of the two organ- izations was recognized at the fifth annual general meet- ing of the members of the China Association held at Shanghai on April 22, 1898. On that occasion the follow- ing resolution was unanimously adopted : “ That this meeting hears with pleasure of the formation in New York of an American China Association, specially to watch the commercial interests of the United States in the Far East, and tenders to the new society its hearty sympathy, feel- ing convinced that British and American interests are identical in the joint desire of both countries to secure for all nationalities open trading facilities in China.” 25 THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OE CHINA. In compliance a suggestion addressed by the Executive Committee of the American Asiatic Association to Messrs. F. E. Haskell, J. F. Seaman, J. H. McMichael and W. S. Emens of Shanghai, to form a branch of the Association there, “The American Association of China” was provisionally organized at a meeting held in the Mu- nicipal Board Room on Friday, December 16, 1898. The following resolutions were adopted at that meeting, and form the basis of the organization : “ Resolved, that an association of ATiiericans residing in the Far East be hereby^ formed in accordance with the circular invitation to the meeting dated 9th December, to be called ‘ The American Association of China,’ the primary objects of which shall be the furtherance of American Trade and other interests in China and the defence of American rights. ^^Resolved, that such Americans present as favor the establishment of the Association may subscribe at this meet- ing to the roll, and they shall thereby provisionally organize the Association. ‘•‘■Resolved, that the following named gentlemen or such of them as consent to serve, be invited by this meeting to constitute themselves a Committee to draft a Constitution and By-Laws for the Association which shall be submitted for approval at a further meeting of the Association, viz.: Frank P. Ball, A. W. Danforth. J. S. l^earon, J. "Ward Hall, F. E. Haskell, Robert H. Hunt, Rev. John R. Ilykes, J. H. McMichael, R. W. Mustard, Rev. F. L. Hawkes Pott, John P. Roberts, J. F. Seaman and E. T. Williams.” Thirty-eight persons signed the roll, and the member- ship of the Association now includes over 100 names. 26 THE AMEEIOAI^ ASIATIC ASSOCIA- TION OE JAPAN. The American Asiatic Association of Japan was organ- ized on June 26, 1879, and its first annual meeting was held on November 29, 1879. At that time various subjects of commercial interest were discussed which had previously been under consideration by the Executive Committee. Among these were the following : 1st. The Establishment of an American Bank in the Orient with Branches in Japan. 2d. The Organization of a School for American Children at Yokohama. 3d. The Provision of a Charitable Fund for Americans in Yokohama and Tokyo. 4th. A Reply to the Department of State, Isthmian Canal Commission. An opportunity for the advantageous exercise of the organization presented itself in the arrival at Yokohama of the American Volunteer Soldiers, returning home from the Philippine Islands. The Committee appointed two of its members and its Treasurer to act in co-operation with the American Ladies of Yokohama in providing means for the reception and assistance of these men in a hospitable manner. In accordance with the request of The American Asiatic Association, Messrs. McGrath, Taylor, Gill, Olmstead and Atkinson were invited to form a branch of the Association at Kobe, and this was accomplished in harmony with the suggestions made. 27 LIST OF MEMBEKS ENEOLLED UP TO APEIL 21, 1900. HONORARY MEMBERS. Barrett, John, Wasliington, D. C. Denby, Charles, Washington, D. C. Jesup, Morris K., New York. MEMBERS. Abbeville Cotton Mills, Abbeville, S. C. Abendroth & Root Manufacturing Co., New York. Allen, Frederick H., New York. Allen, George Marshall, New York. American Cotton Co., The, New York. American Lithographic Company, New York. American Steel & Wire Co., New York. American Trading Co., New York. Appleton, Herbert, New York. Arnhold, Karberg & Co., New York. Austin, Nichols & Co., New York. Avis & Co., William A., New York. Baily & Co., Joshua L., New York. Bailey, William H., New York. Barber Asphalt Paving Co., The, New York. Barber & Co., New York. Barlow, Peter T., New York. Batcheller, George Clinton, New York. Beale, Truxton, Washington, D. C. Bethlehem Steel Co., The, South Bethlehem, Pa. Blackall & Baldwin, New York. Bliss, Fabyan & Co., New York. Boorum & Pease, New York. Braeburn Steel Co., Braeburn, Pa. Brice, W. K., New York. Briesen, R. von. New York. Brill, J. G. & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 28 Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, N. Y. Brown Brothers & Co., Boston, Mass. Burnham, Williams & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Busk & Jevous, New York. Buttfield, W. J., New York. Carleton, I. Osgood, New York. Carnegie Steel Co., Ltd., The, New York. Carter, Macy & Co., New York. Carter, Ernest, New York. Cary, Clarence, New York. Cary, John C., Lockhart, S. C. C. & C. Electric Co., The, New York. Catlin & Co., New York. Central Trust Co. of New York, N. Y. Champion & Staudinger, New York. China & Japan Trading Co., New York. Cholwell, George C. & Co., New York. Chubb & Son, New York. Clafliu Co., The H. B., New York. Clapp, E. E. & Co., New York. Colt’s Pat. Fire Arms Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Conn. Cooke Locomotive & Machine Co., Paterson, N. J. Cordes, E. D. & Co., New York. Crescent Steel Co., New York. Cruickshank, Dwight P., New York. Dallas, T. B., Nashville, Tenn. Danielson, John W., Providence, R. I. Darlington Manufacturing Co., Darlington, S. C. Deering, Milliken & Co., New York. Delacamp & Co., New York. Diamond State Car Spring Co., Wilmington, Del. Diamond State Steel Co., Wilmington, Del. Diamond Match Co., The, Chicago, 111. Dodge, Francis E., New York. Edge Moor Bridge Works, Edge Moor, Del. Ehrich Bros., New York. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, The, New York. 29 Fairbanks Company, The, New York. Fearon, Daniel & Co., New York. Flagg, J. H., New York. Flint, Eddy & Co., New York. Foot’d, John, New York. Forbes, Francis Blackwall, Boston. Fraser, Alfred, New York. Fraser & Chalmers, Inc., New York. Frazar & Co., New York. Funch, Edye & Co., New York. Fitz, W. Scott, Boston. General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y. Gilchrist, Edward, Boston. Goulds Manufacturing Co., The, Seneca Falks, N. Y. Grew, Henry S., Boston. Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, N. Y. Gurley, W. & L. E., Troy, N. Y. Haines & Bishop, New York. Hamilton, George, New York. Hardley, J. Wheeler, New York. Harlan & Hollingsworth Co., Wilmington, Del. Hartley & Graham, New York. Hayward & Wreaks, New York. Hewlett & Lee, New York. Hicks, George F., New York. Hoffman & Co., J. W., Philadelphia, Pa. Hunt & Co., Robert W., Chicago, 111. Illinois Steel Co., The, New York. International Express Co., New York. Irwin, McBride, Catherwood & Co., New York. Jackson & Sharp Co., Wilmington, Del. Jones & Laughlins, Ltd., New York. Johns Mfg. Co., H. W., New York. Kearney & Foot Co., New York. Kissock & Co., John, New York. Kurtz, Stuboeck & Co., New York. 30 Lackawanna Iron & Steel Co., New York. Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. Lane & Co., George W., New York. Langdon, Edwin, New York. Leftwich, A. T., Baltimore, Md. Lehmaier, Schwartz & Co., New York. Lewinson & Just, New York. Loomis, Laurus, New York. Mali, H. W. T. & Co., New York, Martin, Newell, New York. Maryland Steel Co., Philadelphia, Pa. McConway & Torley Co., The, Pittsburg, Pa. Mercantile Trust Co., The, New York. Middleton & Smith, New York. Mills Manufacturing Co., Greenville, S. C. Minot, Hooper & Co., New York. Moffat, George B., New York. Montgomery & Co., James & John K., New York. Montgomery, George L., New York. Morewood & Co., New York, Morse, Henry G., Wilmington, Del. Mosle Bros., New York. Mourilyan, Heimann & Co., New York, Mutual Life Insurance Co. of N. Y., The, New York. Naylor & Co., New York. Neuss, Hesslein & Co., New York. Neptune Meter Co., New York. New England Watch Co., Waterbury, Conn. New Home Sewing Machine Co., New York. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.,New York. New York Air Brake Co., New York. New York Leather Belting Co., New York. Nicoll, De Lancey, New York. Niles Tool Co., New York. Norden & Co., A., New York. Noyes, Bausher & Gerrish, New York. Occidental & Oriental Steamship Co., San Francisco, Cal. Okonite Co., The, New York. Otis, McAllister & Co., San Francisco, Cal. 31 Pacific Cable Co. of New York, The, New York. Pacific Mail Steamship Co., Sau Francisco, Cal. Pacolet Manufacturing Co., Pacolet, S. C. Pantasote Leather Co., The, New York. Parker, Wilder & Co., New York. Parrish, S. L., New' York. Parsons, William Barclay, New York. Passavant & Co., New^ York. Pavenstedt, Adolph, New York. Peabody & Co., Henry W., New York. Peijperell Manufacturing Co., Biddeford, Me. Perry, Edw'ard, New York. Phelps, Dodge & Co., New York. Philadelphia Commercial Museum, The, Philadelphia, Pa. Phoenix Bridge Co., The, Phcenixville, Pa. Phoenix Silk Manufacturing Co., New York. Piorkowski, A. E. (Capt.) I. G. A., New York. Porter, Robert P., New York. Post, Alfred H., New York. Potter, E. C., Chicago, 111. Putnam, Hooker Co., Cincinnati, 0. Railroad Gazette, The, New York. Rand Drill Co., New York. Reedy River Manufacturing Co., Greenville, S. C. Robbins & Appleton, New York. Roberts Co., A. & P., New York. Robinson, Wallace F., Boston. Rockhill, W. W., Washington, D. C. Roe, Livingston, New York. Rogers, Brown & Co., New York. Rogers Locomotive Co., Paterson, N. J. Sale & Co., Yokohama, Japan. Sampson, E. H., New York. Schieren & Co., Charles A., New York. Seligman & Co., J. & W., New York. Sellers & Co., William, Philadelphia, Pa. Shepard, Augustus D., New York. Sheridan, G. K., New York. Shewan, Tomes & Co., New York. Sims-Dudley Defence Co., New York. 32 Skinner, E. V., New York. Sloane, W. & J., New York. Sinitli, Hogg & Gardner, New York. Smith, R. 15., New York. Smith & Schipper, New York. Spilshnry Engineering Co., E. 6., New York. Stanton, John R., New York. Spartan Mills, Spartanburg, S. C. Tliomas, Samuel, New York. Thompson, Henry B., Wilmington, Del. Thomson Press Co., John, New York. Tod, J. Kennedy, New York. Tompkins, Calvin, New York. Tompkins, D. A., Charlotte, N. C. Townsend, A. M., New York. Turner Co., J. Spencer, New York. United States Export Association, New York. Vacuum Oil Company, Rochester, N. Y. Vantine & Co., A. A., New York. Vesta Mills, Charleston, S. C. Wallace & Co., William H., New York. Washbnrn, W. D., Minneapolis, Minn. Weld & Neville, New York. Western Electric Co., New York. Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., New York. Wheelock, Thomas R., Boston. Wheelwright, Eldredge & Co., New York. Whitney Manufacturing Co., Whitney, S. C. Wilcox, Franklin A., New York. Willett & Gray, New York. Williams, Frederick Wells, New Haven, Conn. Windmuller, Louis, New York. Winslow & Co., C. R., San Francisco, Cal. Winter & Smillie, New York. Wisner & Co., Win. H., New York. Woodward, Baldwin & Co., New York. Worthington Pumping Engine Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co., The, New York. Zalinski, E. L. (Capt.), New York. MEMBERS DECEASED. James McGee. Calvin S. Brice.