The record-union., 1894-03-24
strunent.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oS.

Associated Press dispatches, that a new
Chinese treaty had been negotiated and
would soon be reported from the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. When
reported the treaty will be for ten years
instead of twenty years. as originally
proposed, and the period of renewal is
also fixed at ten years, in case either Gov
ernment gives notice that it should no
longer continue in force after that time.
There is reference to the Geary law in
the treaty and to the registering of Chi
nese. The treaty stipulates that the reg
istered Chinese who go to China shall
not return unless they have lawful wife,
children or parent in the United States.
or credits due to the amount Of 81 900.
Senator Perkins of California was asked
to-day if such a treaty as has been de-
scribed would permit Chinese to be re-
turned. He said it would absolutely rem
der the Geary law nugatory. At present,
q registered Chinaman cannot return.
Under the proposed treaty the Chinaman
who has 81 900 in this country, or credits
TO that amount, can return. 1t is no
trouble. said the Senator, Tor a Chinaman
TO make showing of this kind. He can
easily get a certificate showing debts due
him, and when he goes back TO China he
can send another Chinaman in his place.
The provisions of the treaty as set forth
show it to be a shrewd piece of diplomacy
on the part of the Chinese Government,
and it is an easy matter for the Cinnamon
to get around it. The Chinese are getting
the best of it on the Pacific Coast by reg
istering and being photographed at differ
ent places and under different names.
The certificates are furnished to the Chi
nese surreptitiously smuggled in. II
Will be easy enough to furnish Chi
naman false certificate, and also a cer-
tificate of debt equally false, upon which
he can enter this country under the terms
of the new treaty.
Representative Geary of California, the
author Of the Geary Act, said he expected
10 read the treaty carefully during the
day. Until then he would give no opin-
ION on its effect on the Geary law, and its
general effect in admitting Chinese.
The other Democratic congressman
from California were adverse to express
ing their views. The Republicans were
very emphatic in condemning the treaty,
Representative Bowers of California
said: This treaty is a part of the general
sympathy OF the present Administration
with the Chinese. The theory of the
Geary law was sharply restrictive, and
the theory of this treaty is to nullify the
restrictions"
Representative Hilborn, who was
United States District Attorney during
the first prosecution of the Chinese un-
der the original exclusion law, said Of
the new treaty: The reported features
OF the new treaty providing that meri-
can laborers in China shall register is
meaningless, as we have not more than
fifty American laborers in that country
IT there was to be any reciprocity it
should have been in protecting Ameri-
cans in China. Our people, missionaries
and others, take their. lives in their own
the interior OF CHINA. Inc country will
never grant us the protection she asks
Tor her people III this country. The pro-
posed treaty will be a great shock to the
Pacific States.''
Representative Mcguire (Dem.) said
''In so far as the treaty in any way
changes the present provisions for Chi
nese exclusion, which represent the re-
suit OF twelve years experience, l am op-
posed to it. l think the treaty should un-
qualifiedly recognize and uphold all
present laws on the subject OF the Chi
nese immigration. l can see no objection
to having China establish and MAINTAIN
registration laws applying to our citizens
in China. nor to those which have ap-
piled to her citizens in this country"
Representative Wilson (Rep.) of WASH
ingtOn said : "ATter battling for years
for an adequate restrictive law, the pres
ent pro- Chinese and pro- British Admin
istration has overridden the law, and has
not only gone into the business Of aiding
the Chinese to invade my State, but has
also made contracts with the British coal
firms across the border from my State,
and in competition with our people,"
Representative Ellis lRep.) of Oregon
said: ''lhe reported abandonment of
Photographic Identification will take
away one of the vital means of restric
ton. Until the full treaty is at hand it
will ha iitfienlt n form Oninl0n Of If
but if it in any way limits the present re-
strictiOns. or makes Chinese immigra-
ton easier, i: will be serious blow to
the people of the Pacific Coast"
Some surprise is manifested in Admin
istration circles at the opposition that has
already developed to the new Chinese
treaty. The new treaty, said one of those
VINO spoke for the State Department, is /
the outcome of months Of patient work
and skilliul negotiation, and 1t was hoped
the State Department had succeeded In at
last settling in manner entirely salts
factory the question of regulating Chi
uese Immigration. For many years this
subject has been a source OF trouble, and
the public has surely appreciated the
danger to which the country has been
exposed of a total severance OF friendly
relations with China. with the probable
loss of our valuable commercial relations
with that country.
The CORES SDOnG6Dco WHICH IdS pdSStU
during that time between the State De-
partment and the diplomatic representa-
tive OF the Chinese Government, how
ever, makes this very clear, for the Chi
nese have used some severe language II
charging our Government with a deliber-
ate violation OF the treaties.
So in negotiating the treaty now before
the Senate Tor ratification, the Admins
tration felt it had achieved some very de-
sirable results, ior not only had it set at
rest the morally sound complaint of
CHINA but at the same time preserved in
the form of sacred treaty obligations ali OF
The restrictive features Of the existing
Chinese restriction laws. that in the
opinion of the department were worthy
OF perpetuation. This result was secured
with the entire approval Of the Chinese
Government.
There was a reasonable certainty also
that the treaty would meet the approval
Of the Senate, unless there has been
great change in public opinion within the
19ast few wears. for it was framed on the
lines OF the treaty negotiated by Secre-
tary Bayaro in 1887, which had received
the unqualified sanction OF The Senate
It is felt that some OF the criticisms
which have been passed upon the new
treaty are unreasonable, or else have been
made under misconstructlon OF tue eN-
a,t scope of the instrument. Such, Tor
instance, is said to be the statement that
tha treaty opens the way to fraud. IN that
= will permit Chinese who leave the
United States with the express determl-
nation to return to sell their papers 10