The Washington times., 1901-11-29
Mr.. WI OPPOSES
EXCLUSION ACT.
DEFENDS CHINESE IMMIGRATION
tIiujstsr Says His Countrymen De
Not Demand Less Wages Than
Domestic Lnbor-such Rep
reSSntntions Made for
Political Purposes,

'I am not biased. am considering the
matter in q judicial way II the charges
against my countrymen are really true
have no complaint to make no protest
to oher," said WI Ting-fang. the Chi
nese Euni5ter. to Times reporter last
night in discussing Chinese exclusion.
MIR. WI analyzed the question in the
keer. vigorous manner so characteristic
OF him. and Sid that he hoped in the
rear future to present the matter to the
American people through a channel that
could not help but command their atten-
lion.
An Appeal to American Justice.
"The American intelligence and the
American love Of fairness encourage me
in hoping that Chinese exclusion will end
when the present law expires in MAJ,
1902" he continued.
"Now, you say the labor leaders assert
the admittance of my countrymen to the
! United States is a menace to American
labor because the claim is made that the
Cinnamon will work cheaper than the
white man.
q thought once this charge was true,
/ and that the white laborer was justified
| in his antagonism But when l made en-
| quiries it developed gross exaggeration
had been employed. Shall say for polit-
| ical purposes?
An investigation showed that China
men-of course, except some few in
stances-work no cheaper than the white
man and demand more wages than the
negro. Chinaman hard up will work
cheap. Will not whites and blacks N
| similar condition do the same?
Chinese Demand High Wages.
Il have indisputable evidence from an
American, conducting an employment bu-
reau, that Cinnamon ask for much more
money than your people. They demand from
$40 to $50 a month as cooks. Can you not
procure cocks for less money among the
whites and blacks? Yes; you know you
can.
Chinese laborers are equally persist
ent In demanding the wages paid others
1t was suggested To- Mr. WI, considering
the great natural resources of China, the
necessity was not conceivable why the
Chinese should emlgrate.
Conditions in China.
PLENTY TO do at home, eh,' nodded the
Minister. Yes: admit that China has
great mines of gold. silver. copper. coal.
and other minerals; with regret, l say,
they are not developed. You know why?
Because OF Feng Shut.
''Feng Shut means, literally, wind and
water OH But Il means more than that.
Now how shaA express it?'' and he
closed his eyes in thought. Let me de-
fine it as meaning an acute influence Of
nature.
The Superstition of FenE shui.
We will suppose Cinnamon has tried
a house. Before he occupies it. he must
tail In the Feng Shut man, and have him
examine the structure thoroughly with
a compass, to see that the doors and win
dows are hung and set properly. Unless
this custom is observed, the owner would
not live in the house. He would fear
some calamity to his home OF family.
so you see Feng Shut is the national
superstition the superstition that has
stood in the way OF China's progress.
You must not excavate the mountains
for their valuable deposits. Feng Shut.
You must not dig in the earth. Feng
Shut!
You must not build railways Feng
Shut" and Mr.. Wa tossed his flowing /
sleeves heayenward. with a gesture Of |
imitation.
Built "A Railroad in Ching.
Il was instrumental in building the first |
in China under the direction OF
Ii Hung Chang, and the opposition TO
the project was tremendous, in which Feng
Shut played its usual part. We had 10
caiole. command, and conciliate, before
the work went on.
''You OF the Western World under
stand now from recent events the atti-
tude of a Chinaman regarding graves. and
how stubbornly he resists any attempt to
disturb them. This is the vexatious prob
iem always confronting projectors Of rail-
roads.
IF the Chinese Government would in
augurate system of public works, build
railroads and telegraph lines over the
Empire. there would be work to do in
plenty for all her people
Few Chinese Immigrants
Mr.. WI declared the idea of Wholesale
Chinese emigration to this country was
ridiculous
Nearly ell the Cinnamon in this coun-
try come from Canton province. which
contains seventy districts, and out of that
number only ten have supplied the emf
grants. Cinnamon abhor travelling. They
are content to live and die in the village
that saw their birth.
But not to beg the question, who first
brought the Cinnamon TO this country? |
Why. your own people. And now China
Is confronted with the barrier OF an ex-
;lusion act.
Would Increase Our Trade.
why should not China be treated like
he rest of the world?" demanded Mr.
Wa. pacing up and down excitedly. "a
want TO see Americas trade with her
increased tenfold There is no reason
Why it should not exceed that of England.
England does not exclude us. and right {
there let me ask. has Great Britain suf-
fered any Chinese invasion? Has France?
Has Russia? No no. And neither would
his country.
"of what use is an exclusion act. in
view of the contract labor law governing
Chinese laborers cannot be
imported. Did you ever consider that /
The average Chinese laborer has net the
money to come to America If he wanted
o."