Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-03-12
Cleveland's suggestions.

The president sent message 10 the senate
Jn the 81 inst on the Chinese question. He
SAYS the condition of the Chinese In tie west
ern states aud territories is tar from satisfac-
tory. All the power OF the government should
Dee cXerted 10 maintain the amplc>t good faith
towards China in the treatment of these men.
and the infcyibe sternuess Of the law in
.iingng Wrong-doers to Just CO should Dee in
listed upon Every effort has been made 10y
the government Ia prevent VIC cut outbreaks.
ANA IN president says ne j. pr,pEci 10 give
earnest consideration 10 ans u'thrf remedial
measures within treaty limit-. which the wis
ION OF congress may dc~ira.
The message then present the solemn oh
legation imposed by tn treaties and begins its
review of the situation with reference To the
Hot Springs, wv. T., Affairs. II says:
The facts which ~ far are not cOntroyerted
or affected bv any eXcupatory or mitigating
testimony, show the murder OF a number of
Chinese subject in September last the wound
ing of many Others. and the sUOliatiOn Of the
property ui all This outrage on law and
treaty engagements was committed D.. lawless
mob. None ul the >-or~-happily for
the national good lame appear h, the reports
80 have been good CitI,ns of the mite /
states. They were a lens engaged IN hat r
mote district a, mining lahorer> who bccam
excited against Chinese iHborcrs, IS 70 would
seem. because Of their refusal o. Join them in
a strike Go secure higher wages. the upprcs-
sion OF Chinese subjects u, their rival, IN the
competition for labor does not dilicr in violence
from. that applied 10 other classes OF native or
alien labor. All are equally under the pro
lection OF law and equally entitled Ia ENJOY
benefits of assured public order
Was there no treaty in existence referring 10
the rights of Chinese subjects: did they come
hithcr a. all other strangers who voluntarily
resort 90 thi, land of IRE dom. of selfgoyern-
ment and of laws. here. probably. To win their
tread and 20 live their lives. there can be no
question that ia would he entitled still u
the same measure OF protection iion violence,
and the same free forum FOR redress OF then
grievances a. any other aliens. By the treaty
NJ $50 il il the duty of the uitcd states "a
exert lts power to devise measures for their
protection and 10 secure tu them the sam
rights a. may be enjoycd 10y citizens or sub
iects of the most favored nation and 10 which
they are entitled hy treaty.
This articl ot the treaty, the message goes
On 10 say, NAV be- held 10 constitute "A special
privilege for Chinese subjects In the nited
States a. compared with other aliens, but i
does not create any peculiar rights which
others do not share. The question whether
the general government is 10 amead ts gen
eral laws so as Ia embrace the claims made
by the Chinese government Il 10 De considered
The Chinese minister note gives an eXagger
ated statement IT the lamentable incident and
presents that the pro ,eeding, OF the courts were
mOckery of ,ustlcc 80 far a. this l. the
basis of his appeal no further exception car
be taken but when he oilers a. precedent
the action of the government In the cases al
American citizens la China whose lives ant
properties have been endang rcd he argues
reciprocal obligation on the part uf the nitct
states t. indemnify Chinese subjects who
sufore al Rock spring.. II now becomes
neccs.a AIRY to meet his argument and To deny
TO the liability Of this country and the right o
a