The evening times., 1899-10-19
MINISTER WI ON EXCLUSION.
lie Condemns Americas Policy
Towards the Chinese.


Towards the Chinese.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Oct, 19.-Yester-
days session of the International CONNER
cial Congress at the Export Exposition was
taken up with discussion on the trade Of
China with the United States and other
countries. The appearance Of WI Ting
Fang. the Chinese Minister was hailed with
loud applause.
Cornelius N. Bliss of New York. former
Secretary of the Interior, presided. Among
the others who made addresses were Cen
eral j. Wimburne Laurie, the delegate OF
the London, Board of Trade, and John Bar
rett, former Minister of the United States
to Siam. Several New York merchants who
carry on business in China were also heard.
Now shat the United States has practi-
cally become tour neighbor by its recent ac-
QUESTION of the Philippine Islands," said
WI Ting Fang, Il should not be surprised
If, under favorable conditions and not re-
tarded by unwise methods, the trade will be
COUPLED or trebled in few years l say
if not retarded by unwise methods.
Let me give you an illustration. Mr..
Wiidman, the United States Consul General
at HongkOng. used these significant SEN
tences in his report of November %, 1898,
after having studied the question thorough
ly: Broadly speaking, there is not an in
dustry in the Philippines that will not be
ruined II Chinese labor is not permitted
And again. in his report of July 81, last,
speaking of the establishment OF cotton
mills IN HongkOng, which Is looked upon as
remunerattVe undertaking, he says: The
only thing that the promoters of this Eng
lisn industry fear is that mills will be es-
tabiished in Manila, which would only be
possible il Chinese labor were admitted
freely This opinion of your Consul, who
had been many years in the East, and whose
business is to protect the interests of his
countrymen, is universally confirmed by all
other competent judges in the matter. II
is. therefore, manifestly to your interest
that Chinese immigration to the Philip
pines should be as free as possible.
referring to the Chinese Exclusion act.
he said.
Persons are generally disliked on ac-
count Of their Incidence. immortality. and
other bad qualities. but l believe this is
the 1rst instance in the history OF the world
that people are considered as undesirable
ana excluded from country because Of
their industry. perseverance, honesty, and
other good qualities. China does not make
such inyidous distinctions. What is open
TO ene nation is open to all others All
are equally welcome
So far from taking any retsliatory
measure. she Is still holding the most
friendly and cordial relations with the
United States, and l hope and trust these
relations will long continue In view of
the certain increase of this vast trade and
commerce between China and the United
States, and in view of the unrivaled op-
portunities China offers TO American capi-
tai and enterprise. the question naturally
arises whether il is worth while to keep
On your statute book discriminating law
against people with whom il is TO your
interest to keep and maintain relations of
the most friendly nature.
This is question for the merchants,
manufacturers, capitalists, and laborers OF
this country to decide. and | am sure they
will decide it rightly and fairly when the
facts are laid before them"
Nearly all the speakers expressed them
selves strongly in favor OF expansion
among them John Barrett. who said:
The Philippines present an issue of pa
triotism, not OF politics. They involve our
standing throughout the Pacific Imperi-
alism is a misnomer. Meeting our respon-
SibilitieS is not Imperialism