The record-union., 1893-06-08
Special to the REcoRD-US1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, June IA problem
which has been giving more or less
trouble to Government officials was de-
cided to-day. 1t relates to the issuance of
Chinese certificates of identity, and has
been the subject of considerable CORE
spondence between the State Department
and the Treasury branch of the service.
Some time since Secretary Carlisle re-
ceived communication from the col
lector at San Francisco, stating that he
was informed by the Consul at Hongkong
that he (the Consult was unable to ascer-
tain that the Chinese Government has
given any authority to any OF its officers
to issue certificates to merchants and 9TH
or Chinese persons of the exempt class.
Under the sixth section of the Chinese
Exclusion Act, which permits.such per-
son to come into this country provided
they are furnished with certificates by
their Government of their right to enter,
their title or official rank, age, type,
physical popularity, former and present
occupation or profession and place of res
idence in China, and that the person to
NAOAA bA4O tGl LlllCeAL6 10 lSSu6u IL SullLlSu,
In conformity with our treaty, to come
into the United States upon receipt of this
Information.
Secretary Carlisle wrote to the State
department, detailing the facts set forth,
and requested that steps be taken at once
to ascertain definitely and accurately
what is the nature of the instructions of
the Imperial Government to its consular
officers, and also whether any action has
been taken by that Government with re-
spect to the issuance of certificates to per-
sons of the exempt class by officers in
China.
Secretary Gresham replied with an in
closure from the Chinese Minister at
Washington, in which the Minister states
that the Customs officers are authorized
TO issue certificates of identity to such
Chinese persons other than laborers who
desire to come to the United States, and
that all Chinese Consuls in foreign coun-
tries are authorized to issue such certifi-
Gates OF identity. The Treasury Depart
1nent is bound to respect the statement of
the Chinese Minister, and the certificates
will be accepted.
p -" IL AlhlOhSs ObllGu States COlSQl
Hongkong, China, has informed the
State Department that he believes, as a
result of investigations made, that from
800 to 1000 fraudulent notarial certificates
have been distributed to intending Chi
nese immigrants each month for the past
three or four months. Consul Simons re-
FUSED to certify to two certificates, as the
persons presenting them, while ostensibly
having been in the United States, as their
certificates showed, could not give any
account of the country, and in fact de-
clared that Sedan chairs were the only
means of travelling in America" Consul
Simons states that most of these Chinese,
with fraudulent certificates, reach Amer
lea by steamers that land at Vancouver.
British Columbia.
The Treasury officials contend that
nearly all the Chinese landed there ulti-
mately reach the United States, coming
over the border at night. Instructions
will be sent to all Collectors of Customs
calling attention to these fraudulent GER
titicates in circulation, and cautioning
them against receiving them