The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-11
JOHN Is CUNNING.
Beating Uncle Sam at His
Own Game.
OPEN FRAUD AT NEW YORK.
Chinese Coming In From Havana as
Students and Actors - Well
Coached by Smugglers.

NEW YORK. Sept. 1O.-The provisions
of the Chinese exclusion act are practi-
cally nullified at this port, for in nine cases
out of ten those seeking admittance are
able to pass the ordeal of the rigid exami-
nations and Investigations. Collector Kill
breth, in looking over lot of alleged
merchants. students and actors the other
day, said. There is certainly fraud
here" and yet after most rigid examin a.
tion he was unable to shake the testimony
of a single individual. Their credentials
being seemingly correct, they were ad-
mitted.
According to the suspicious of men most
intimately associated with Chinese cases.
there is an organization of smugglers,
having its headquarters and agents in
HOng-Kong, Vancouver, San Francisco,
New Orleans. Havana and New York.
The principal ports are Havana and New
ORB, the other cities being merely for.
warding stations. Other features which
make this scheme probable are the Free
MasOnary of the Chinese, their Einship,
money, and the desire to circumvent the
exclusion law.
The cases Of students and actors who
enter the country for the first time are most
interesting. These ali come across the
continent from the Pacific Coast to New
Orleans in bond. and go thence to Havana.
They undoubtedly receive Instructions on
the way. but the finishing touches to their
education are put on at Havana, where
they remain sometimes months, sometimes
longer.
In Havana they almost invariably are
dnmiaifad nit
reach New York they are met by Yung
Luck, his cousin, or Lee Foy, the latter's
partner. These three have been openly
denounced by the Chinese Inspector at
this port as smugglers. The examination
of applicants for admission take place on
the main cabins of the Ward line of steam
ers.
The Chinese. to prove they are not la
borers, have permitted their fingernais TO
grow from the day on which they left their
own country. They are generally asked
to describe the route by which they came
from China. This is now readily an
swered. but few weeks ago it was dI-
ficult question. They have evidently been
enlightened in the meantime. When
asked why they have taken such a cir
cuitOus route to reach New York thew
claim either TO have had business in Ia.
vana or tc have stopped to see a brother.
cousin or friend.
Nothing can transcend their calmness
while answering questions. aud no amount
Of cross-examinlDg can shake their testi-
mOny.
Within six weeks upward of thirty
students have arrived here, and of these
twenty-five have disappeared or are found
working in Chinese restaurants or IAun-
dries. In the same time over twenty
actors have reached New York, and since
the first Oh the year about seventy-five.
There is but one Chinese theater in the
city. Some actors appear on the stage for
day or two in the capacity of the "popu-
lace" or OF Soldiers" or among the
"retinue Of the mandarin"
SWhere this smuggling will end no one
can tell. The smugglers, it is said, guar
antee the safe delivery of every Chinese
here for from 500 to $3.50. At prese MT
the rate is at the highest figure, for the in
vestigation is very rigid. The system of
communication kept up between New
York and Havana is perfect, and If an ua-
usual question is put TO the applicants of
today which they cannot answer. in two
weeks time every incoming Chinese can
meet 1t calmly and smilingly.
After reaching this country the CeIes-
tials work out the amount OF money adj
vanced in certain instances by the SNUG
glers here, and it is presumed that the
latter ndd a good-siZed sum to the amount
by way of profit