Evening star., 1901-08-15
CHINESE LABORERS
Question 70 Be Considered by Com
missioner Powderly.
PETITIONS FOR rHB EXCLUSION ACT
How Entry is Made by Way Of
Canada.
THE MEXICAN BORDER

Commissioner Powderly Of the immigra-
ticn bureau has not yet submitted his an
nual report to Secretary Gage. He is still
waiting for figures which will complete
the immigration statistics for the fiscal
year. When these are ell In Mr.. Powderiy
will analyze them carefully and from his
analysis will make whatever recommenda-
tions he deems proper. These recommends
tions have considerable weight in legisla-
tion affecting immigration each session of
Congress. especially as the commissioners
recommendations are frequently indorsed
by Secretary Gage.
The most important portion Of MIR. Pow
derlys recommendations this year will be
those relating to Chinese Immigration and
the renewal of the Chinese exclusion act
which will soon expire 1t Is WeU under
stood that Mr.. Powderly will pl ubNNly
give most urgent reasons for renewal OK
the exclusion act put among number OF
officials OF the treasury who are aware OF
sentiment throughout the country the be-
ly upon the question OF continuing the ex-
clusion Of Cinnamon. Organized labor Is
already at work urging that free Chinese
immigration be forbidden, as during the
last ten years, and will continue its demon
strations. A number of petitions have
been sent to the White House declaring
that the workingmen are opposed to China
men coming to lhis country. From the
FdClHC coast the ldOOrinS uleu are par
ticularly hostile to any suggestion to ease
up on the stringent regulations governing
the coming of Chinese to this country.
Among certain classes of the Pacific coast
there Is a strong hope that Cinnamon will
be admitted under the same condition as
other foreigners in the future. This class
however, does not dare commit itself to
this position because Of political fear It
Is stated by fruit growers and those en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits in California
and the Pacific coast states that more Chi
namen are badly needed to aid in farm and
orchard work Other labor cannot be OBJ
tained large part Of the time.
Treasury officials say that merchants and
manufacturers throughout the country who
hope to increase trade with China are like
ly to have something to say as to re-
newa1 of the exclusion act. 1t is hoped by
this class Of people that there will be
great revival Of business with China, and
1t is pointed out that cordial commercial
relations cannot be established If there ex-
lists a law Which Cinnamon the world over
regard as direct affront to their country.
The Mexican Border.
For some time the officials Of the Treas
ury Department have had under serious
consideration the problem Of how to pre-
vent Chinese from crossing the Mexican
border into the United States. A conclu-
sion has at last been reached which. it is
believed, will go long way to a solution
Of the matter. Under the treaty between
the United States and China immigrants
from the latter country are allowed to pass
through the United States to any other for
eign country, provided, however, that the
treasury officials are satisfied that their
passage through this country Is for the
bona fide purpose Of taking up a residence
in another and not for the purpose of ulti-
mately attempting to return to the United
States. During the last few years many
thousands of Chinese have been landed at
San Francisco under alleged contract to
work On plantations and railroads in south
ern Mexico. They have been permitted to
pass through without hindranee but q
careful investigation has developed the fact
that not 10 per cent Of them ever reach the
points to which they are ticketed. but leave
the trains at points along the northern bor-
der of Mexico. In a short time they reach
the United States, which was undoubtedly
their original purpose. The treasury OFF,
cials have decided to take advantage of
the proviso In the treaty that requires that
the government shall be satisfied OF the
good faith of Cinnamon seeking to go
through the United States to a foreign
country, and will instruct the officials at
San Francisco to require each Chinaman
claiming to have Mexico as his destination
and future home to establish his good faith.
Failing in this. Cinnamon will be deported.
If the Chinaman Is under contract to per-
form labor in Mexico he may present his
contract as evidence Of good faith. but In
case Of his failure to satisfy the officials he
will not be permitted to land. 1t Is expect
effect by keeping out a large percentage Of
Chinese who go to Mexico with the real
purpose Of crossing the border into the
limited Statas