The record-union., 1894-03-22
Special to the REcoRD-US1oN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, March 2l.-The Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations has
been considering an important Chinese
treaty, negotiated by the new Chinese
Minister and Secretary Gresham. The
treaty was sent to the Senate some time
ago and referred to the Foreign Relations
Committee, where it has been fully con-
sidered and discussed in all its details.
1t is said it does not meet the approval OF
some of the Senators who are members
of the committee. It is understood this
opposition, while considerable, has not
been sufficient to prevent its being re-
ported favorably, though possibly with
some amendments.
AS negotiated, the treaty practically
sets aside and supersedes the Scott EX-
clusion Act and the recently enacted
Geary law. 1t is an immigration treaty,
and provides for the admittance of Chi
nese immigrants under restrictions. 1t
also has for it's object the protection of
Chinese already in this country. While
1t does not repeal the Geary law, 1t is said
to render it nugatory III many partlcu-
lars.
The treaty, although it may receive the
favorable consideration OF a majority OF
the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, will have a stormy time In the
Senate. The Pacific Coast and Western
Senators are already vigorously fighting
it, and they have support from Eastern
Senators who have always opposed Chi
nese immigration and supported the Vlg-
Srous exclusion laws.
The new treaty, il is understood, runs
for twenty years, and in this respect IS
like a similar treaty by Secretary Bayard
an 1856, and at the expiration OF the
twenty years if neither Government
shall give notice to the other OF its inten-
ton to have it terminated. then it shall
remain in force another twenty years.
During the period of the life or the
treaty, Chinese are prohibited from en-
tering this country, except upon condl-
tiofis. Provision is made for the return
of any Chinaman who has a lawful wife,
child or parent in the United States, or
property to the amount of 81, 200, or debts
due him to that amount. In order to
secure the benefits cf this provision, the
Chinaman must leave with an officer Of
the United States description OF his fam
lily or property and secure a certificate
for his return. He must also return
within year, which may be extended
another year in case of sickness or other
causes beyond his control.
The existing treaty providing for the
privileges of travel and sojourn in the
United States of Chinese officials, teach
ers, students and travellers for curiosity.
as we'll as the right of transit of Chinese
officials throughout the United States, is
preserved. In return for concessions
granted by this country to better pro-
tect the Chinese people, and to lessen the
hardships which it is claimed they suffer
by reason of the Geary law, the Chinese
Government is to take greater precau-
tions to prevent the coming Of Chinese
laborers TO tFis country.
1t is possible the treaty may be ma
terially modified before it is presented to
the Senate, and it is possible the Senate
will change it. If it was negotiated, the
opinion of those opposed to it is that it
renders imperative most of the features
of the present exclusion laws.