San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-13
THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1885.
CHINESE IDEMNITY.

The Session OF the House Of Represen-
tatives was occupied yesterday in cOrsid-
ering the question of idemnity TO the
Chinese residents on the Pacific coast
for Outrages committed by whites. The
matter was considered in Committee OF
the whole and Belmont, Chairman OF
Committee on foreign relations, gave a
history of the Rock Spring massacre.
The facts, as reported, show. that 1t was
not so much a race war as war for
the protection of the interests of labor.
The settlements, two in number, were
composed of Welsh and Swedes, and
Cinnamon. The white wOrkmen, who
were not American citizens, demanded
an increase of pay and struck to secure
it. The Cinnamon continued work and
refused to join the strike. This natur-
ally prevented the Welsh and Swedish
miners from securing an advance and
the attack was made upon the Chinese
camp. The outrage was n most dast-
srdly one. The Cinnamon were shot
down like sheep, twenty-eight killed
and a large number wounded, and their
camp plundered and burned.
These are the surface facts of the case
and beyond that the committee did not
adventure, fearful perhaps of getting
beyond its depth. The whole outcome
Of this matter, and of all trouble with
Cinnamon, arises from the insane at
tempt that has been made to mix two
civilizations, two races who have all
things separate and nothing in common.
Why this attempt has been made no one
has ever been able to find out, so far at
least as Americas profit is concerned.
America receives some goods from
China, which she could receive Just
as well without opening her ports to
Mongolian immigration. Even II she
did not, she would be little the worse.
In addition to this she receives opium,
Chinese leprosy, debauchery, filth, pau
periZatiOn OF American labor and ak the
train of evils that follows in Its wake.
The entire revenue she receives from
her expectations to China does not form
more than per cent of the actual cash
drain made upon her revenues to pay
Chinese wages sent direct to China and
boarded there.
IL the committee had gone down to
bed rock and, studying the situation,
made report suggesting remedy for
the evil, showing how the treaty could
be abrogated by which American in
dustry is prostituted to Mougolisn greed,
showing the origin and cause OF all this
flood OF yellow scum which has befould
the nation and threatens its very indus
trial peaoe-if the committee had done
thus and brought in bill for the abro-
CATION Of the treaty, they wonld have
accomplished something worth while.
The simple fact Is this Burlngame
treaty Is not an American measure
When Mr.. Burlingams proposed that
treaty, he did so as Chinese envoy, as
Ambassador special under appointment
Of Prince Kung, Regent Of the Chinese
Empire. by whom he was sent to
America. The Prince sadly overresche ed
this country in that transaction. China
has reaped profit, only profit, and
America disturbance, debsuchery, in
dustrial ruin and big bill for damages.
There is no question Of the liability oil
this government for the damages sus-
tanned by Chinese residents in America
under the stipulations Oft Burlingame
treaty. The idemnity should be paid as
rapidly as the amount Of damage can be
ascertained and the treaty abrogated as
soon as Congress can drag its slow
length around such a measure.