The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-01-27
THE CHINESE TREATIES.

The following is the full text of the letter Of
Secretary Evarts transmitting the Chinese
treaties to the President:
To The President: submit for trans
mission to the Senate the treaty signed at
Peking on the 17th of November, 1880, by the
Commissioners Plenipotentiary of the United
States and the Commissioners Plenipotentiary
of the Emperor of China, together with the
correspondence, giving the course Of regula-
tions. The first treaty is confined in its pro
visions to the future regulation of Chinese i'm
migration into the United States. The treaty
submitted the questions raised between the two
countries in a manner alike honorable and sat-
isfactory to both. While preserving to the
subjects of China engaged IN mercantile pur-
suits, in study. in teaching or travel for
curiosity, the right of free intercourse with
this country, the Chinese Government has
recognized in the Government of the United
States the right to regulate, limit and suspend
the introduction into its territory of Chinese
labor whenever in its discretion it shall threaten
the good order of any locality or endanSer the
interests of society. The second treaty Is In
tended to supply the incompleteness OF some
of the provisions of former treaties. The
first clause, without assuming or imposing
any special obligation, recognizes the
advantage of an enlarged commercial inter
course between the citizens and subjects of the
two countries, and expresses on the part of the
Chinese Government its readiness to give
favorable consideration to any proposal for the
extension of those relations which thus Gov
ernment may deem it wise and useful to ask.
The second clause prohibits the participation OF
our citizens o. our vessels in the opium trade in
China. The anxiety of the Chinese Government
to suppress this iniquitous traffic rs hon
orable in itself, and was expressed with earnest
ness to the Commissioners of the United States
The well-known sentiments of this Government
in regard to this trade invited the confident ap-
peal to it on the part of the Chinese Govern
ment to take the lead among foreign nations IN
the prescription of this pernicious commerce.
The fourth and last clause secures by treaty
stipulation the trial of all actions, whether Of
cost or contract, arising between our citizens
and subjects and China, in the Court Of the
judicial authorities of the defendant, and the
application of the laws of the defendants ma
tionality to all such litigation. In all cases the
plaintiffs are secured the official presence at
the trial of their National officers, the right to
present, examine, and cross-examlne witnesses,
and otherwise to maintain watchful observance
of the trial. VIM. M. EvARTS.
The preamble of the treaty recites the ap-
pointment of the Commissioners Plenipoten-
tiary and the desire and necessity for some
modification of existing treaties, especially re-
specting the immigration of Chinese labor, and
states that after consideration, examination,
and discussion, the following article in modifi-
cation has been agreed upon:
Article I.-Whenever, in the opinion Of the
Government of the United States, the coming
of Chinese laborers to the United States, or
their residence therein, affects or threatens to
affect the interests of that country, or of any
locality within the territory thereof, the Gov
ernment of China agrees that the Government
of the United States may regulate, limit or sus-
pend such coming or residence, but may not
absolutely prohibit it. The limitation or suspen-
sion shall be reasonable, and shall apply only
to the Chinese who may go to the United States
as laborers, other classes not being included i'll
the limitation. Legislation taken in regard to
Chinese laborers will be of such character as
is only necessary to enforce the regulation, lim-
itation or suspension of immigration no immi-
grants shall be subject to personal maltreat-
ment or abuse.