The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-26
THE ANrI-FoKEIGN MOVEMENT.

1t is curious to observe how every nation
is drifting toward the policy of excluding
foreigners. A couple OF years ago the people
of the southeastern departments in France
broke out in riots in consequence of the in
flux of Italians. In Northern France mu-
nicipal ordinances lay restraints on immi-
grafton from Belgium. Three or four years
ago Bismarck sent troops 10 prevent the adj
vent of Russian Poles into Germany. The
Sultan has just issued a decree forbidding
the settlement Of Russian Jews in Turkey.
In this country, reform looking to the i'm
position Of restrictions upon immigration
from Europe has been before Congress for
several years. And on Friday a large meet
ing, at which half dozen members of Par
Lament spoke, was held in London to pro-
test against the landing of destitute aliens
in England. All the nations seem to be sim
ultaneously imbued with purpose to keep
out the stranger. and shut tile door in his
face.
AS matter of abstract law there can be
no doubt of the right of nation to exclude
all foreigners, or foreigners of any particu-
lar race. Story enumerates the right as one
which exists, though il has been rarely in
voked. With the exception of China, Japan
and some small semi-barbarOus States, no
nation has ever actually enforced the law
that the territory of people is theirs ex-
clusively and cannot be occupied by others
without their assent In China. until the
beginning of the fourteenth century for
eigners appear to have enjoyed free access
TO all parts of the kingdom. But in the
revolutions which followed the reigns of
Genghis Khan's successors, the policy of ex-
clusiOn was asserted and the foreign mer-
chants and priests who resided in the king
dom disappeared. Two or three centuries
afterward Japan adopted the same rule, the
motive in this case being hostility to Chris
tanity. Half century ago this policy was
modified or abandoned in the case Of China
and in the case Of Japan sixteen or seven
teen years later. But, until quite lately, it
has been enforced in the Khanates of
Turkesian. When Burnaby made his ride
to Khiva pleasant fashion prevailed of put
ting cut the eyes of foreigners who in
truded into the Khan's dominions.
Among the Christian nations abstract
right has generally given way to considera-
lions of policy. 1t has been held that ma
ton was gamer and not loser by an
influx Of foreigners. This country was peO-
pied by foreign immigration, and the gen.
eral tenor of our legislation has been
designed TO encourage it. The situation has
been somewhat changed by the growth of
population in all leading countries, and like
wise by the increase of transportation facil-
tiles. 1t is easier now TO transport thou
sand people from their homes to foreign
country than it used to be TO move family.
Hence, when prosperity prevails in one spot
and hard times exist in another, the natural
tendency of the habitants of the latter is
to remove to the former. This process of
transportation is apt to be overdone, and
resorts which are popular are apt to be over
crowded. Hence mutinous feeling breaks
out among the natives who are displaced by
foreigners, and demand arises that Coy
ernments shall protect their own people
against alien competition.
1t will be interesting to observe how far
this feeling will spread and to what extent
Governments will yield to the demand of
anti-foreign parties. 1t would be mani
testify imrolitic for all the Christian nations
to set up Chinese walls against their neigh
bors. Such policy would put an end to
mutual trade aud would prove a bar TO prog
ress. 1t is hardly likely that AN intelligent
nation would go as far as that. But it is
not to be disguised that native workmen
who are displaced or whose wages are re-
duced by an influx of foreigners have n
plausible ground of complaint and that
Judicious Government will consider their
grievance. Every man has the right to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He
certainly cannot look forward to much hap
piness IL he cannot earn his daily bread.