The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-02
CHINA WOULD TREAT
With the United States for
Extradition Purposes.
is AFTER HIGHBINDERS
Uncle Sam Hesitates on
Grounds of Humanity.

| Washington. Dec. 1.-The Chinese gov
eminent, through its minister, Mr.. WI
| Ting Fang. has preached TO the author
| tiles here the willingness of China 10
negotiate an extraditon treaty. applica-
BILE to all criminals but intended in partic-
ular TO reach the nighbinders. This fra
ternity has spread terror through the far
west. 1t purports to be organized for fra
ternal and insurance purposes but under
| this guise, it is alleged, it carries on a
secret system of crime. marking victims
for slaughter when they incur the en-
nifty Of the organization. There have
been many agitations in the west against
| the fraternity but it is said that the local
officials have been unable to wipe out the
evil.
The Chinese government finally deter
mined to take cognizsnce of the subject,
as the agitations in this country operated
quite as much against the law-abiding
Chinese and against the Chinese govern
rnent itself as it did against the parties
to the secret crimes. Ii was therefore
represented to the officials here that as
the highbinders had proved such a diff
cult class for the local police authorities
in this country TO deal with, China would
assume the burden of detection and pun
ishment if an txtradition treaty could be
negotiated. The purpose was 10 have
China assume all the cost of apprehend-
ing and transporting the guilty parties
This could be done through the machinery
Of the Chinese consular service at San
Eror
which, being conducted by native Chi
nese was better able to know the ramifi-
cations Of an organization made up en-
tirely OF Chinese. by doing this China
felt that she would rid this country of
those who were responsible for much of
the ill-feeling against the Chinese as
class.
While willing to get rid of Chinese high
binders and all other Chinese criminals
the authorities have foresaw serious legal
objections to such a treaty. The meth
DDS OF trial and punishment in China
are very summary. The proposal. there
fore, was open to the objection that this
country was surrendering persons domi-
ciled within its borders, to a foreign coun-
try for harsh and unequal prosecution
and punishment. Little doubt was enter
tanned here that If China ence secured
possession of the ilghbinders short work
would be made of them, owing 20 the
prejudice they nave brought upon the
government. China was ready to over
como this objection as far as possible |
by providing for a full hearing or trial
in this country before parties were turned |
over to the Chinese officials for deporta- |
ton home. This, however. did not fully |
meet the legal objections against the pro-
position. Moreover it was believed the |
senate to which such a treaty would have |
to be referred for ratification would not |
act favorably upon il and that it would /
stir up animosities and agitations on the |
Chinese question in general rather than /
accomplish any special good in the direc- |
ton desired.
The Chinese authorities have not, there |
fore, gone further than to breach the /
subject TO the officials here an dlearn /
how such a treaty would De viewed. al 4
though they stand ready at any time to I
assume the burden of dealing with the
and other Chinese criminals
if a naturalization treaty should give
them jurisdiction over the offenders