The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-26
THE NEW TREATY WITH CHINA.


There are good reasons why the United
States should negotiate a new treaty with
China First, the present treaty has been
deliberately broken by the passage of the
Geary act, and it is not pleasant for the
American people to have broken treaty
staring them in the face which can be
pointed TO as an evidence of the govern
ments lack of good faith. Second, 1t is
important that the present causes of fric-
ton between the two governments should
be removed and friendly relations estab-
lished. in order that a commercial treaty
may be negotiated. If we ever expect to
get any favors from China in the way Of
the establishment of closer trade relations
we must begin by removing present causes
OF irritation and show a disposition to deal
fairly with the question of Chinese immi-
grafton Also. this is important for the
safety and protection Of American citizens
in China
The new treaty which has been negoti-
ated and sent to the Senate distinctly rec
ognizes the fact that Chinese immigration
to the United States Is undesirable, and
practically pledges the Chinese government
to it's prohibition. Although it, in effect,
abrogates the Geary law, it does not by
any means open the door for Chinese Inn
migration. On the contrary, it provides
that for the next ten years 1.-THE coming,
except under conditions hereinafter speci-
fed. OF Chinese laborers shall be abso-
lutely prohibited" and the Chinese govern
ment is pledged to cooperate to this eEd.
The conditions referred TO relate to the re-
turn to the United States of registered
Cinnamon now here and who may leave
the country. This right is restricted to
those who have a lawful wife. child or
parent in the United States, or who own
property or owe debts In the country
amounting to $1,000. The return of these is
very strictly guarded and the treaty pro-
vides that the subject may be further reg
ulated by future legislation. This point
seems to be quite sufficiently guarded to
prevent the misuse Of registration papers
Even If this were done to some extent it
would only be substituting one Chinaman
| for another, and the aggregate number in
| the country would not be increased. Other
| provisions of the treaty relate to the reg
| istration and protection of Chinese In the
| United States and Americans in China.
| The provisions of the Geary law are to be
| enforced, and the right of the Chinese gov
| eminent to enforce a similar law is rec
| ognized. AS there are no American la
borers in China to speak of, nor are ever
| likely to be, this provision amounts to
nothing more than concession to the dig
| nifty and equal rights Of the Chinese gov
eminent 1t is further agreed that the gov
eminent of the United States shall furnish
the government Of China annually with a
| list of all Americans residing in China.
other than laborers giving the name, age.
| occupation and place of residence of each
one, not including diplomatic and consular
| officers. There is nothing Objectionable in
| this provision, and it might contribute to
the protection and safety of Americans in
| China.
| The treaty as a whole seems we'll cal
| culated to remove existing causes of fric-
| ton between the two governments and
| lay the foundation for more friendly re-
lations. 1t does not yield anything of the
right of the United States government to
| prohibit Chinese immigration, and the only
concessions made are in the nature of
recognizing the equal rights and dignity of
| the Chinese government