New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
THE EXPERIENCE OF SINGAPORE
w,v tn RE RID OF CHINESE LAwLEssNEss
WITHOUT HELP FROM CHINA

WAY TO BE RID OF CHINESE IN"hr.""'>S"'
WITHOUT HELP FROM CHINA
To the Edit Or Of The Tribune.
Sir: I notice In your Issue OF December 2 an
article headed "Extraditlon with emma. wherein
Il Is said that the Chinese Government is willing
to negotiate n treaty by which all criminals cs-
pecialy highbinders. may be deported to CHINA Tor
punishment after their guilt may have been par
TALLY determined on this side. This step Is pro-
posed by the Chinese Government on the theory
that the acts of these hghbinders have. TO great
extent. caused the prejudice against the Chinese
In this country.
would submit that II is humiliating for the
United States "A country protesting to be in the
front ranks Of civilization. to ask the aid OF
nation like China in controlling about one hundred
thousand people In total population OF seventy
five millions. San Francisco has about fifty thou
sand Chinese in total population Of about three
hundred thousand and whatever objections may
be raised to the habits OF these fifty thousand
the remedy lies In the hands OF the municipal au-
thorities. who could. If they wished easily rectify
the abuses for which the Chinese are held respon-
sibe. There five Americans TO one Chinese.
A few years ago Singapore had far more trouble
with the Chinese than San Francisco has ever ex-
pcrienccd There were one hundred and twenty
thousand Chinese to five thousand Europeans and
Americans. Secre. societies, highbindors and ma
tves of different provinces combined to make
most dscordant population. and street fights
among the different factions were common. The
newly arrived Governor. Sir Cecil Clement Smith,
resolved. against the advice OF his Council. to sup
press these societies and restore law and order.
lie had at his command an Office called the Pro
tectorate Of Chinese instituted for the purpose
OF keeping the Government in touch with the
Chinese population and smoothing away far
possible, any friction that might arise. This
protectorate under the able management OF Mr..
Pickering not only reduced the friction TO a mini
mum but kept fully posted of everything going
among the Chinese. Hence after legislatng
the Chinese OF such legislation. the protectorate
was able 10 mark down the headquarters Of all
the societies and on a given date. 1t bounced on
them all and captured their archives BY the next
steamer North the heads Of all these societies
deported. they preferred this to hanging. and
from that day to this secret societies highbinders.
etc. have given no further trouble In Singapore.
Thus the Europeans and Americans in Singapore.
plished without difficulty what the United States.
numbering 80 TO one now proposes to ask the aid
1t appears TO me that we have never taken any
in,elligent measures in dealing with our Chinese
their old World ideas. which. so far as can
learn. nothing has ever been done 10 correct. An
would In short time enable the State and munic-
ipal authorities to reform all the abuses now com
planned Of Bad sanitary practices among tho
jurisdiction Of the Health Department "Cheap
labor Is no longer grievance. since the Chinese
command rs high any others on tho
Pacinc Coast. lnhering the idea of secret So
cietes rendered necessary by oppression in their
country. IL is not to be wondered AZ that thev
introduce the system here. especially when they
find very scant justice protection from our au-
thorties. and have yet TO hear of tho first step
were unnecessary.
In view Of the above I would submit that. in
OF her subjects now among us. we ADOPT an in
telligcnt system which would enable US 10 deal
OUT TO them firm and just rule without any out
NewYork. Dec. G. 1895