The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-17
Mr.. WI ON THE EXCLUSION ACT.
lie Thinks the United states Can
Hardly Act Arbitrarily


The movement recently inaugurated by
the Chinese in several Of the larger cities.
notably, New York, Chicago. ana san
Francisco, to oppose the re-enactmeut Of
the Ceary Exclusion act O. any similar
measure tending to discriminate against
the Chinese, has not as yet been taken UP
by the local colony. Neither has Mr.. fVu.
the Chinese Minister, been asked by his
countrymen to aid them in the effort
which they intend TO put forth. although
il the result Of their orga nization is to
present a memorial to Congress. praying
for fair treatment OF the Chinese, as is
now said to be contemplated. he viii
doubtless aid them in a manner not in
consistent with his ONCE as minister to
this country The GeaTy Exclusion act
which prohibits The immigration Of the
Chinese for ten years expires next year
and if Congress takes up the matter, as
the California Representatives are ex-
Pected to press it. some action may be
taken at the next session.
IN speaking upon the subject yesterday
AIr- WI said: While this matter Of the
Chinese organizing to oppose a re-enact-
ment OF the GeaTy law has not before
been brought to my attention, ] can see
that II Is probably true. and if So they
have been induced 70 take this course. no
doubt by the recently published state
menUs that the American Iaboring people
are already beginning TO agitate the ques-
ton of a continuation Of Chinese .exclu-
sion They may also feel that their own
continued residence here may even be
rendered more difficult
At present, and especially in view Of
other questions which are to be settled
it seems TO me almost too early TO begin
g-L.--
ter
There IS now e5zisting- treaty between
the United States and China which was
entered into in 1884. and which does not
expire until 1854, BY which China con-
sents to a restriction Of immigration to
this country That we accepted. and
therefore. cannot complain, but speaking
0fhand, and without reference 10 the
specific terms Of the treaty, it does not
seem to me that in the face Of it the
United Safes would pass an act exclud-
ing the Chinese for. say. ten or twenty
years 7 do not know that this country
could do 50, unless II acted arbitrarily
in the matter. which I do not believe it
would do. China has consented 10 the
present restriction, but Il has not con-
scented beyond the Limitation OF the treaty,
so I do not believe the United States
"Js4lal JLD-ttl TO enact law winch would
exclude the Chinese beyond that period.
The great mistake which the Chinese
made when they first came TO this coun-
Try was not in becoming citizens. as DO
the other nationalities, but they did not
understand the customs Of America. and
the official representatives did not under
stand the language, 50 they quietly pur-
sued their own course worked earnestly
and diligently, attending 10 their own af-
fairs. and did not develop any political
influence. rs do the irish, the Germans.
the Italians. Poles. HugaTians. and the
other races They commit probably fewer
crimes against law and order than any
other race in proportion to their mum
bers, they simply work and modest no
one
SO il is not because Of their vices. brt
rather because Of their virtues that they
are denied the privilege Of coming here
Mind you. ] would not object in the least
To any immigration law which this Couu-
Try might enact, 40 matter how harsh its
terms Il Il were made applicable to all
races alike. the Europeans the japanese
the MalaES. the Africans and others but
II IS the discrimination which the China
man feels and which hurts him tho fact
that he Of all the various peoples of thu
world IS singled out and made To feel that
b. is hot wanted here. ] have heard that
there j. growing opposition to the con
t.nited immigration Of the japanese. but I
{ here Is no legislation to restrict them
from coming here Why IS this? Is il not
because Japan is strong and China Is
weak
1t is only ti,c Interpretation which has /
been placed upon the law within the past I
two or three years. which Is especially /
severe, although ! do not for moment .
wish to be understood as Critfcisine any
one To- that Interpretation. Formerly il +
was understood to apply only To Chinese /
.aD9rers. while now il IS made applicable /
10 nearly all classes ! do rot wish to be /
5gotisjic. but taking my own case by way
u example, II / should retire from nv
present position and return to China and /
then seek to come back 10 the United /
States unofficialIy. as physician for in /
stance, / would be excluded