The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-14
sEArrIE. rHURsDAr. SEP. ~.
RESPITE TO THE CHINESE.

the government IL jastiHable or the
ground of public equity. The failure Of
che Chinese TO register was chiefly due to
the action Of the government. which in
spired them with the belief that the law
would be declared unconstitutional and IL
would boz no more than fair 10 extend the
ti,ns OF registration.
Democratic Congressman Everett has
already introduced a bill extending to
September !. 1891, the time 20 register,
and United States Senator Hoar has In
troduced bill amending the Geary act,
extending the time for registration three
months after its passage. Several South
ern senator's including Gray Of Delaware,
Call OF Florida and George Of Mississippi.
have expressed the opinion that while
they favored the exclusion Of the
Chinese they were opposed 20 the
abrupt abrogation Of treaties with
China by the passage of laws
in clear conflict with those treaties This
was the Wow OF the late Roscoe Conkling,
who approved Of the exclusion of the
Chinese but opposed the abrogation of
treaties without proper notification to
China of our desire TO terminate them;
that is. he did not think We should adopt
method of procedure that we would not
attempt In dealing with one of the great
powers of Europe.
IL Is true that the United States supreme
court has decided that the Geary act Is
constitutional despite the fact that it
violates all existing treaties with China;
nevertheless, this Is n decision of legal
right, not determination of policy, and
there are many things we can do in law
that are not wise and prudent in equity.
This Is tho view of Roscoe ,Conkling, ret-
Grated by Senators Gray. George and
Cali. men certainly who have no
sentimental interest In the fate of
the Chinese. In fact, they view
the matter from the standpoint of en-
iightened national seliishness; they say
China does not want her people to come TO
the United States; she is not 10 blame for
their coming here; they come from Hong
kong. British port. to the ports of British
Columbia. The Chinese government has
always been perfectly willing to make
any treaty that we have suggested regard.
ing Chinese immigration. but. like all Ash
attic people, they are exceedingly pnnctIl-
ious in matters of diplomatic etiquette,
aud they are sensitive 10 the fact that We
do not hesitate TO enact laws in violation
Of treaties With China while we are very
careful not to do so in dealing with the
great powers of Europe. We have thus
needlessly offended nation with which
We were once on the best Of terms, and
our trade with China has suffered and is
likely to suffer still more the security of
cur missionaries and other Americans
resilient IN China is likely to be impaired
by aeta of retaliation.
China knows that we could not afford TO
answer her retaliatory policy by acts of
war because England and Germany would
not permit IL. even IL We could afford 10
war on China for resaliating upon us in
kind for our policy of hostility.
The supreme court OF the United States
in May. 1850 conceded that the Chinese
exclusion act of October, iSSs. known rs
the Scott law. was In contravention of the
treaties made With China by the United
States. The act passed In October, ISIS
section /. reads:
"That from and after the passage of this
act Il shall he unlawful for ans Chinese
laborer who shall AZ any time heretofore
have been, or who NAV now or hereafter
be, resident within the United states.
and who shall have departed, or shall de-
part theretrofa, and shall not have re-
turned before the passage of this act, To re-
turn 20, or remain In. the United states
This means, as Secretary Carlisle admits,
that Chinese laborer returning TO China
esnnet return from there TO the United
States. This eonradiets the treaty Of ISs0,
article q and this clause:
"Chiness laharars who are now In the
United States shalt be allowed 10 go and
come OF their oSn free viii and accord,
etc, etc.
The act approved May q. fSS2. continued
in force by that OF May, lS92. ecntravenes
the treaty OF 1884 The act of MAY. lSea is
in contraven tion Of the treaty Of 1850. On
September p IsSs. the day the bill which
was passed BY the two houses was rre-
scented 10 President Cleveland. he received
aselegran from the minister in Picking
saying, among other things that The Chi
aeSe governments desired further discus
slon." Ths president. however. expressed
the view IN message that he re-
Esrled the demand for denomination
and renewed discussion as an indefinite
postpcnement," and hence he signed The
hllt on October I. ISIS. This IS IN contra.
veatlon % the treaty Of ISSo. article 4
which says: "Wheneveg tho governments
of the Unite. States shall sdop; legislative
measures in accordance thsrcwith," l. ..
Mia the foregoing article. ''sgch measures
will b communicated TO the government
o. China" Tie srtio!s shen sdas;
III abs measures .. enacted are iopnd 20
wosk hardship unos the subjects 81 China.
the Chinese minister al Washington Itty
May bring the matter q the notsce cf the
secretary 81 STATE 81 ne United States a DO
vii consider tac sabject with him and
tae Chinese iosglet ottoe may also hFiaR
tie matter - tie notice Of the aite3
States ainssgeF as feklng, and eonsadeE
the sabiecf with h.m. ~ tire end thAt
mutual zu1 unqualified benefit may re-
suit"
fAs treaty whose ssiaalaslens we're