New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-01
ANOTHER SIGN FROu the EAST.

| ne IrtSlucHlS pIocidHld'lOu respecting
Chinese commerce is practically partial
anticipation of the new commercial
treaty with China. The equivalent
10 be given by the United States for the
privilege OF regulating Chinese immlgra-
ton into this country is not, as some
! have pTofessed to fear. the concession that
the Chinese Government sh II regulate
American immigration into China,
but simply an increase in the facilities OF
commercial intercourse with this county. The
chief o. these is embodied in the proclamation,
which simply means that vessels carrying
tn" Chinese flag are hencefOrth to enter
American ports under tie same conditions as
vessels OF the most favored nation. On August
9 the Chinese Ministers, Chen Ian Pin and
Nung Wing, sent 10 The State Department Il
Joint not informing Nj. Evarts thai the steam
ship W, Chung was abOut 10 arrive at San
Francisco, and requesting that the customs
officials should lie instructed to deal with the
vessel aud cargo precisely as they would with
the vessel and cargo of any other nation in
treaty relations with the United States. An
exchange o. letters followed. aad the We
Chung, screw steamer of 1000 tons burden,
arrived in port before the negotiations were
concluded. The customs anti critics exacted
Tonnage tax at alien rates aud discr minatiDg
duty on the cargo. and the'e were paid under
protest, the understanding being that they
would be returned il the State Department
should decide 10 extend to Chinese vessels tho
privileges usually accorded under commercial
treaties. There seems to have been "a grave
doubt in Mr.. EvaIts's mind As to whether reel
prCcity of exemption from such duties bad been
established by the treaties between the two
countries. He deemed it necessary, moreover
to ascertain whether American merchants were
placed at any disadvantage in Chinese ports III
comparison not only with other foreigners, but
with the natives themselves. The Chinese
Government has given satisfactory replies
I he President in Ills proclamation now makes
the continuance of these exemptions in their
ports the condition of the Suspension OF similar
discriminating duties III ours.
1t would be premature to assume that in con-
sequence of this proclamation an active steam
trade under the dragon flag will spring mp be-
tween China and the United States. Ii is OBJ
vious, however, that Chinese merchants will
have the same facilities fOr doing business In
New York and San Francisco which are en-
loved 10y German, French or British importers.
and that they will have only themselves TO
blame if they neglect their opportunities
There is nothing in the commercial law OF
either country to prevent the ceaI lance from
Chinese potts of fleet after fleet of Wo Chungs |
manned with Chinese crews, and laden with !
Chinese goods consigned To Chinese importers !
in the United States. The development of the |
trade Will depend entirely upOn the enterprise |
of Chinese merchants. Whatever restrictions
have been placed upon their commercial priv |
eges at home have been removed 10y the In !
perial Government, aud iDasmuch rs the exist |
Ing treaties did not provide for the abolition |
Of discriminating duties. the President has pro-
claimed special exemption, which Will no |
doubt be speedily ratified in the new treaty.
Every change, however slight in the foreign !
Or domestic policy OF the Chinese has been
hailed OF late years as n sign that light was
breaking in the Elst. II is very easy to exag
gerate the Importance Of such incidents us the
construction OF toy railroad, the discontinue
ince of court customs by which foreign Ambas-
,adors were excluded from the Imperial au-
Hence room, or tho introduction of such modem
devices as the Americas tOrpedO-boat or the
Greek letter series OF gunboats. The central
ACT in tho history of the Celestial Empire dur