The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-02
any Chinese laborer who might go back to
China to return again to the United States

~ NN~N~-
A NEW AMENDMENT.
BY vote from the Charge d'Affaires, dd
ssttertn:, OF China to the Secretary of state re-
ceived or the evening of the 18th ultSmo copy
Of which is herewith transmitted, together With
the reply theretol a third amendment is pro-
posed whereby the certificate under which any
departing Chinese laborer alleging possession
of property in the United States would be en-
abied to return TO this country, should be
granted by the Chinese consul instead of the
United States collector. as bao been provided in
the treaty. The obvious and necessary effect of
this last proposit on would he practically TO
place the execution II the treaty beyond the
control OF the United States. Article of the
treaty proposed 10 be so materially altered
had in the course of the negotiations
been settled ia acquiescence with the wish of the
Chinese plenipoteltiary and to his expressed
satisfaction. In 1856 as appears in the dOcu-
ments heretofore referred to, the Chinese
foreign Office had formally proposed to our
munster strict exclusion of Chinese laborers
from'the United States without limitation, and
had otherwise and more definitely stated that
no term whatever for exclusion was necessary,
for the reason that China would of itself take
steps to prevent its laborers from coming to the
United States. In the course of the negotia-
tons that followed suggestions from the same
quarter led TO the insertion in behalf of the
United States of the term of thirty years,
and this term, upon the representations of the
Chinese plenipotentiary, was reduced to twenty
years. and finally so agreed upon.
THE SECOND ARTICLE.
Article was wholly of Chinese origination,
and to that alone owes its presence III the
treaty. and it is here pertinent to remark that
everywhere in the United States the law for
the collection OF debts are equally available TO
all creditors, without respect TO race, sex,
nationality or place of residence, and equally
with citizens subjects OF the most favored
nations, and with citizens of the United States
recovery can be had in any court of justice in
the United States by subject of China.
whether of the iaboring or any other |
class. No disability accrues from
the non-residence Of plaintiff whose |
claim can be enforced IN the usual way !
by him or his assignee or attorney in our courts /
rf Justice. In this respect it cannot be alleged |
that there exists the slightest discrimination |
against Chinese subjects, and it is notable fact |
tbat large trading firms and companies and in |
dividual merchants anu traders of that nation |
gre probably established at numerous points |
roughout the union, in whose hands |
every claim transmitted by an absent China |
D. an OF a just and lawful nature could be com
p.etely enforced The admitted and paramount |
right and duty Of every government to exclude |
from its borders all elements of foreign popu-
lation, which for any reason retards its prosper
itv, or are detrimental to the moral and physi- |
cal health Of its people must be Eegardsd as a
recognized canon of International law and in
tercourse.
CHrNA's BREACH OF FAITH.
China herself has not dissentcd from this doc
trine, but has. by the expressions to which | |
have referred led us TO confidently rely upon
such action on her part in cooperation with u.s.
Is would enforce the exclusion Of Chinese labor
trs from our country. This co operation has
not. however. been accorded us. Thus from the
unexpected and Disappointing refusal of the
Chinese government 10 confirm the acts of its
authorized agent and to carry into effect an in
ternational agreement the main feature of
which was voluntarily presented by that govern
Inent for our acceptance, and which had been
the subject of long and careful deliberatOn,
an emergency has arisen in which the govern
Inent of the United States is called upon to act
Legislative power. / can not but regard
the expressed demand on the part of
( hna for re-eXamination and renewed |
Of topics so completely covered by
mutual treaty stpulationS indefinita post |
and practical Abandonment Of the
ob iects we have in view, TO which the govern
inent OF China may justly be considered as
pledged. The facts and circumstances which |
] have narrated lead me, in Inc performance of |
what seems to be my official duty, to join con
grass in dealing lie gislativey with the question
OF the exclusion of Chinese laborers in lieu of
further attempts to adjust it by international
agreement
ENTRY FOR THOSE EN- ROUTE.
But wNile thus exercising our undoubted right |
In the interests OF our people and for the general
welfare of our country. Justice and fairness
Seem to require that some provision should be
rnG.ie by act or Joint resolution under which |
such Chinese laborers as shall actually have |
embarked on their return TO the United States
before the passage of the law this day approved |
and are low on their way. may be permitted to
land provided they have duly and lawfully OBJ
tanned, and shall present certificates heretofore
issued permitting them to return in accordance
with the provisions of the existing law
Nor should our recourse to legislative meas
IIres OF exclusion cause us to retire from the
Offer we have made to indemnify such Chinese
subjects as have suffered damage through VIC
legcA in remote and comparativey unsettled
portions OF our country at the hands of lawiess
IneD. Therefore, / recommend that with
out acknowledging legal liability therefor but
because it was stipulated in the treaty
watch has failed TO take effect. and in spirit OF
humanity beneiitting cur nation that there be
appropriated the sum of $4,000 10 payable to
I he Chinese minister al this capital on behalf of |
lis government. as full indemnity for all losses
and injuries sustained by Chinese subjects in the
Iaauner and under the circumstances mentioned
GROVER CLEVELAND
Executive Mansion Oct l. 1875