New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-07
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

II appears from the interesting Canton letter
published elsewhere that three several difficult
ties beset the Chinese emigrant, and almost
wholly prevent that great influx OF Aslatlc
races to this country which, for our own in
dustrial advantage as for their social improve
ment and civilization, seems desirable The
Tartar Government grants the privilege OF
emigration only on the most obnoxious c0ndi-
tons. 1t requires bonds for the ultimate re-
turn of the emgrant to China, and the free
dom of all his family must be pledged before
the passage money can be obtained The
English Government, by various regulations
at Hong Kong and other places along the
coast, endeavOrs to prohibit emigration to
other than British possessions, and its ships,
after loading with Coolies for San Francisco,
frequently land the misguided victims on other
coasts, and virtually COnsign them to perpetual
slavery The total Coolie emigration from
India to English colonies in 1869 was
1908, aud from China not less. How many
of these en,igrants desired to land at San Fran
CISCO and were betrayed to other points, it is,
impossible to say; but doubtless they were
many thousands in number. AS further OBJ
stacles to emigration to this country, Ameri-
can vessels landing at Hong Kong are in
vOlved, on various preteXts, in endless and
expensive litigation, until few desire to engage
in the transportation of Coolies. Not content
with this, the English authorities seek to de-
tain the successful emigrant who returns to
redeem his enslaved family and take its
members with him to the land of plenty. For
this purpose gambling bells" have lately
been licensed as "opium hells" have always
been since the British occupation of the Coast
Islands, and into these returning emigrants are
Systematically cntced and robbed of the money
with which they hoped TO relieve their fami
lies at once from Tartar oppression and En-
glsh deception. Finally, the American Gov
eminent has thrown an almost nsurmountable
obstacle in the way of emigration by prohibit
ing the Coolie trade.
The Outrages of the Chinese and English are,
of course, not to be prevented by us nor
can we be held responsible for them. AS
long as the Tartar authorities remain Tartars,
and as long az the English find the COOlie
traffic profitable, we suppose there is no hope
of their doing anything in the matter. The
United States is not disposed to repeal its very
just law against the Coolie traffic. 1t may be
a detriment to American interests-it may
pIdCJlCdhJ oc OIL w UiiO "''''
self. But as long as in theory the Coolie trade
ia wrong, America will never legislate that it
il polite We are glad TO believe that the old
contract system, by which American employers
advanced the passage money of an immigrant
on the security of his liberty, will not be rec
ognized any sooner than that other form of
Slavery lately abolished by this nation.
But since tho remedy suggested by our cor
respondent cannot be adopted, what other shall
be applied We confess our inability to sug-
gest means. The Importance of securing
our share of this immigration and this in
dustrial element is apparent. The disposition
of the Coolies to emigrate to this in preference
to all other countries is not less clear Is it
not important, therefore, that early, practical
steps be taken to inquire into the difficulties
which prevent Coolie emigration, and to es-
tablish proper methods for encouraging and
increasing it Mr. Stewards bill now pending
in the Senate is in the right direction yet
while meant TO restrict the present obnoxious
system of importation employed by Koop-
manschap 81 Co and others, it does nothing
to supply better. The title Of the bill init
mates that it is intended to discourage Chi
nese immigration, but it's provisions are not
at all prohibtory, and we presume were not
meant to DC. Certainly they ought not to be.