Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-14
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
Secretary Evarts' Report on Negotiations
With China

WAsHIEGToy, April 12th.-In response to
the House resolution of February 18th last,
calling for information on the subject of the
negotiation with the Chinese Government
concerning the restrictions of Chinese immi-
grafton, the President to-day transmitted to
the House a report from Secretary of State
Evarts in response. After quoting the reso-
luton which was referred to him by the Pres
ident, he says:
The committee resolution of the 25th of February
1878, requesting the President to open correspond
ence with China and Great Britain appears to have
been joint resolution which read twice in the
House and then recommitted. No further action
was taken in the House or Senate, and consequently
it has never been communicated 10 the President or
referred to this department. No steps, therefore
have been could have been taken in formal pur-
suance of the requests OF the resolution, but the
subject matter Of the resolution was brought to the
attention of the diplomatic representative of the
United States in China. That Minister was absent
on leave granted to allow him to attend upon
the pleasure of the House Of Representatives,
from the Legation at Pekn from june 1878
to June, 1879. On April 23 1879, when
about to return to his mission he was specially in
structed that as Chinese Ministers in this country
were understood not TO have been furnished with
powers instructions to treat in regard to the qes
lions growing out of the presence of their people in
California, it was necessary to conduct negotiations
on that subject in Pekin. The character of the
Chinese movement toward our Pacific coast and the
contract system uluST WHICH nuCf OF III be-
lieved to be conducted specially called to his
attention. and he informed that the Govern
ment shared the apprehensions entertained on the
Pacific coast, that social and political arrangement
might result from the excessive increase of thai.
population. He was instructed to earnestly impress
on the Chinese Government the groulds of tn an.
prehenson and to invite full and frank discussion
OF the proper course of negotiations TO relieve it,
But our own people resident in China enjo, many
important treaty privileges and as 1t was desirable
to work out the results sought without disturbing
the good feeling now existing between the two
countri or impairing the opportunities of profit
inuring to the United States under existing
treaties, he was directed to ascertain with pre-.
csion the disposition of the Chinese Government
and to give assurances which would enable us to
proceed with such further negotiations as might
be deemed advisable. No information has as
yet been received which enables me to saw more
than that our representations have been accepted
in amicable spirit and with respeetful consider
alton, and that satisfactory solution can be rea
sonabv anticipated from the negotiations thus
opened and in progress. No communication on this
subject has been had with the Government of Great
Britain, nor does it seem that it would be either
useful or opportune to open such correspondence
until the results of negotiations with China were
more definitely determined, as the only subject of
such correspondence would be in reference to GER
tain practical regulations at Hongkong which is the
chief point of departure or immigran from China
While, therefore, in consequence of the Interrupt
ton OF Minister Stewards residence at Pekin and
the intrinsic gravity and difficulty of the subject
no new treaty has yet been concluded, nor the ex-
tent to which concurrence between the two Govern
ments may be anticipated has vet been asce tanned
still preparation has been laid for d. finite and
conclusive disposition Of the matter, under the
auspices of the Diplomatic Commission, to which
the subject is intended to be committed In this
posture of the incomplete negotiations, it mani.
testify seems Incompatible with the public interest
to make public the pending correspondence
VIM. NJ. EyARTS