New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-08
NO TREATIES IN THE WAY.
TIE RIGHT rC SUSPEND IMMIGRATION IN
IMPAIRED.
4 REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STALL IN
ANSWER TO THE SENATE RESo-

LUTON OP INQUIRY.

LUTON OP INQUIRY.
Warrington, JAN TN response to the Senate reso-
luton relative TO the possible violation Of the treaty
OBLIGATIONS under the pending Chandler immigration
Suspension bin the President to-day transmitted -
the Senate the reply of the Secretary OF state. Inc
Secretary says that he is not aware OF any treaty "oh
specifically purprts restrict the rgnt OF tihs "oN
ernmert 10 control immigration into the United States
The only one which makes any express reference
10 immigration is that OF 1850 with China
There are however. two classes of provisions iouhu
in many of the treaties which deserve consideration
In this regard The first OF thess are those tr'al's
granng expressly TO the subjects of another country
the liberty TO travel reside in the Cmted states.
1t Is doubtful whether any of these treaty PROVISIONS
were intended or can lie construed to be restrictive
OF the right of the contracting governments to control
immigration into their respective territories The
second section OF the proposed bill distinguished be-
tween aliens who wish TO come here for permanent
residence and those coming only as Visitors ana De-
tween the two there is wtc distinction
The whole course of European history contcmporane-
GUS with the making OF these treaties dlscoses
marked tendency 10 discourage emigration Inc
doctrine Of the individual right of repatriation was
generally denied and measures restrictive oil emgh-
ten were not uncommon. 1t NAV therefore DC IT,
Rarded improbable that these treaty provisions were
intended to have any applicability TO the subject ol
immigration. The secretary does not thlhK mat even
q provision guaranteeing the reception of immigrants
OF entry. travel residcnce-could be held to pre-
vent this Government from temporarily suspendng
immigration for the preservation OF public health 1t
is simply the exercise of the police power OF the
Nation, or the right Of self preservation.
The United Statcs Government has for some time
freely exercised without question: the right to reg'i-
late end restrict immigration by excluding criminals
paupers and diseased persons. No government has
contested It's exercise the ground that the treaty
right of It's subjects to the United States for
travel or business is infringtd thereby Temporarily
to suspend all immigration for reasonable length
OF time as precautionary measure against the In
PRODUCTION Of contagious disease which IS epidemic,
or threatening to become epidemic. III other parts
OF the World is simply the exercise OF ponce power
Whether The occasion for the exercise OF this power
has arisen extent OF the necessity are mat
tiers which this government. in the exercise OF
reasonable discretion, must determine for itself.
The second class Of treaties, the Secretary says,
are those containing the favored nation clause
This, he Thinks does not apply, and he Is OF ue
opinion that this bill is net In conflict with any treaty
stpulations into which the United States has entered