Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-12-06
THE GEARY CHINESE LAW.
Amended Measure Believed to BE Ap-
proved by Chinese La horars

The legislation of last year known as the
Geary law requiring the registration of all
Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the
United States and the deportation OF all not
complying with the provisions of the act within
from Cinnamon in this country. Acting upon
the advice of eminent counsel that the law
was unconstitutional, the great mass of
Chinese laborers, pending judicial inquiry
as to its validity, in good faith declined
10 apply for the certificates required by its pro
visions A test upon proceeding by habeas cor
puS was brought before the supreme court and
OH May 10, 1893, a decision was made by that
tribunal sustaining the law. 1t is believed that
under the recent amendment of the act extend
ing the time for registra ton the Chinese labor
ers thereto entitled who desire to reside in this
country will now avail themselves of the re-
newed privilege thus afforded Of establishing by
that thereby the necessity of enforced deporta-
ton may be to great degree avoided
1t has deyolved upon the United States minis
ter at Pekin, as dean of the diplomatic body
and in the absence of a representative of Swe-
den and Norway, TO press upon the Chinese gov
eminent reparation for the recent murder of
Swedish missionaries at Sung Pu, This ques-
ton is of vital interest to all countries whose
citizens engage IN missionary work in the in
terror,
BY article Is, of the general act of Brussels
signed July ., 1890, for the suppression of the
slave trade and the restriction of certain inuri-
Gus commerce in the Independent States Of the
Congo and in the adjacent zone of Central
Africa, the United States and the other signatory
powers agreed to adopt appropriate means for
the punishment Of persons selling arms and
ammunition TO the natives and for the confsca-
nCn OF the prohibited articles. 1t being the
plain duty of this government to aid in suppress
ing the netarOus traffic, impairng as it does the
praiseWorthy and ciViiZing efforts now in prog
resS III that region, recommend that an act be
passed prohibiting the sale of arms and intoN
cantS to natives III the regulated zone by our
citizens.
Costa Rica has lately testified its frlendliness
by surrendering TO the United States i'll the alb
sence OF convention Of extradition but upon
duly submitted evidence of crlminality, noted
fugitive from Justice. 1t is trusted that the ne
gotiatlOn of a treaty with that country to meet
recurring cases OF this kind will soon be accom-
plished. In my opinion treaties for reciprocal
exiradtiOn should be concluded with all those
countries with which the United States has not
already conventional Arrangements of that char
acter.
l have deemed it fitting to express to the gov
eminent OF Costa Rica and Columbia the kindly
desire of the United States to see their pending
boundary dispute finally closed by arbitration
in conformity with the spirit of the treaty con
Guided betW cen them some years ago
Our relations with the French republic con
tinue to be intimate and cordial | sincerely
hope that the eXtraditiOn treaty with that Coun-
try as amended by the Senate will soon be oper-
alive.
While occasional questions affecting our natIl-
rallied citizens returning to the land of their
birth have arisen in our intercourse with Ger
many, our relations with that country continue
satisfactory
The questions affecting our relations with
Great Britain have been treated in spirit Of
friendlineSs. Negotiations are i'll progress be-
tween the two governments with a view To such
concurrent action will make the award and
regulations agreed upon by the Behring Sea tri-
bUnal Of arbitration practically effective, and it
j. not doubted that Great Britain will cooperate
freely with this country for the ACCOMPLISHMENT
of that purpose. The dispute growing out of
the discriminating tolls imposed in the Welland