The herald., 1893-06-06
JOHN CHINAMAN'S TRICKS
Peculiar Transactions of the
Willy Heathen.
Trafficking in Customs Officers
Affidavits.
Aa Abuse That the Treasury officials
Are Going to Stop.
The Detention Of the Steamer Danube
and It's Cargo of Coolies Made the
Subject of Diplomatic
Iutercourse.

BY the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, June 5.-The treasury
department for some time has believed
Chinese we're using affidavits of authen-
ticstion for illegitimate purposes. Some
taken out here were sent abroad and
sold to other Cinnamon; in other cases
Cinnamon would disposs OF them after
reaching China; and in both cases the
law was violated Under the law Chi
nese merchsnts who derira to leave this
country to visit China have heretofore
been furnished with papers, which,
when indorsed by the United States con-
sui at the port Of debsrkation, entitle
them to re-enter the United States.
Acting Secretary Hamlin thinks the abuse
should be stopped, and has addressed
the collector at Boston the following let
ter on the subject:
"Under date of April 10Th, last, the
United States consul at Hong Kong
transmitted to the department Of state
aftidavits submitted to him for authenti-
tication and which appeared to have
been issued at your port September 5,
1892, and February 4, 1893, over the sig
nature of Deputy Collector J. l.. Swift to
Yee Sing and Yee Mot Zip, respectively
alleged to be Chinese persons residing
in Boston, who left the United States
with the intention of returning thereto.
The consul declined to endose said docu-
ments for the reason that it was evident
the persons presenting the same had
never been in the United States, as was
shown by their inability to answer any
questions relating to this country, not
withstanding the fact that the afidavits
stated they resided here q number OF
years. Il is evident that the per-
sons presenting the afidavits are not
those TO whom they we're issued at Bos-
ton. In view of the misuse OF papers
thus prepared in the United States, the
department. is of the opinion that it is
not advisable for collectors OF customs or
their deputies to certify the same, and
you are requested TO give the necessary
| flIruruCtfor1 10 oe-.s;.auo- tho p-eets,c
at your port"
THE DANUBE AFFAIR.
The state department will probably
not interfere in the case Of the steamship
Danube at Portland, Ore, whose
captain appealed to the British legation
for relief from the order of the court,
which required him TO bring $50 Chinese
passengers before the court to answer to
habeas corpus. The captain was willing
the Chinese should answer, but feared
to assume the responsibility OF prevent
ing the escape of the Cinnamon when
once Ashore. Sir Julian Pauncefote,
British ambassador. was at the state de-
partment today, probably to present the
case to Secretary Gresham. 1t is be-
lieved at the department that there will
be no difficulty in complying technically
with the o der OF the court, while avoid
ing the possibility of the escape of the
Chinese. This could be done if the
marshal served his writs on board the
vessel and left deputy aboard in charge
Of the Chinese until the court passed
on the cases.
H rRANscoNrrNENTAL TRIP.
New YoRK, June 5.-The Times says:
1t is possible the entire senate commit
tee on immigration, of which Senator
Hill is chairman, will make a transcon-
tinental tour this summer. Senator
Squire has urged that AN examination
of the Chinese immigration question be
made, and that at least subcommittee
be sent to the coast to ascertain the con-
dition of the Chinese in California, and
possibly in Oregon and Washington.
Some members of the committee favor
going in body to San Francisco and
attempt to find out on personal inspec-
tion what sort of citizens Cinnamon
make.