Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-03
AN IMPROBABLE STORY.

The story that comes from Shanghai to
the effect that the Chinese Government
has resolved to expel from the country all
Americans now in its employ, is fishy.
There are several reasons why it is not
probable. There are very few Americans
in the employment Of the Chinese Govern
ment; they are not very important people,
that Is, do not hold high official stations
as measure of retaliation it would not be
strong or impressive; it is not to the in
terest of China, nor is it in accord with
her policy to resort to such measures. The
balance of trade is against us, and China
therefore finds an excellent customer in
the United States whom she is not likely
70 throw over. But there are those who
believe China will retaliate because we re-
fuse to receive Chinese laborers Why
should she adopt that policy? There are
in China about 800 Americans all told.
OF these 700 are in business and $50 are
employers, merchants, engineers, builders,
etc. The itinerant Americans in China
average about 800 yearly. So that there
are not 10 exceed 1000 Americans in the
Chinese Empire exclusive of men in
American shipping from time to time.
These Americans are restricted to very
narrow limits of travel in the empire.
They are permitted to reside in a few ports
only; they rarely have leave to pass into
the interior and are compelled to rely upon
British and American Consular Courts for
protection of themselves and their property.
On the other hand there are tens of thou
sands of Chinese in America; they have
access to all our Courts and enjoy as broad
a measure of protection under the laws as
do our own people. They can travel in
any part OF the country with safety and
live where in all the land suits them best.
Chinese subjects can pass through the
United States en- route to other lands, and
certain classes can enter to reside perma-
nently. All these facts the Imperial Gov
ernment well knows. Is il therefore at all
probable that it will resort to any such
measures rs are reported? The discharge
of Americans from Chinese Governmental
employ is matter for no complaint what
ever; that is thing about which we can
have no concern, since there is no right
vested in any American to lie salali ID by
any Government whatever But if China
should by any possibility of folly
declare for the exclusion of Americans,
what then? Would it be any reason for
change of policy upon our part? Ger
tainly not; the United States is not to be
Chinaized in order that few Americans
may find it profitable TO live in the Orient.
II China does not desire our people within
her borders, that is all there is of it. 1t
is neither cause for grave offense on our
part, nor for instant war or bitter retail
alton. The Chinese here will not be ex-
PEELED in return, nor suffer abridgment of
any right. Their friends will still be per-
mitted TO pass to and fro through the
country on their way home, or when
going out to Europe or the West Indies.
We will still buy of China and sell to her
all we can. In short, if China closes her
ports to Americans, it will be cause for
diplomatic Intervention to ascertain the
why and wherefore, and to insist upon our
treaty and our international right to the
same recognition for our people in China
as is accorded those of other nations 1t
would be barely possible that such a COM
plication might lead to employment of
force, but We imagine that very few
Americans will care to reside in the Chi
nese Empire if they have to be maintained
there by the strong arm. But, as said in
the outset, it is improbable that there is
any truth in ;he story of the proposed ex-
pulsion, and there is no need to borrow
trouble concerning it, for China never
does that which undercuts her own in
terest, and the Americans in China are to
her a source of profit and constitute
decided convenience, as her Ministers have
repeatedly testified