Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-27
( NEW EXCLUSION LAW.
The Measure Will Be Pushed to Vote
at Early Date.

az carry GdSos
Washington, Dec. 27.-As soon as re-
turning statesmen resume legislative
tasks in January the advocates of a Wig
crous Chinese exclusion law will press
for prompt action. The chances are that
their wishes will be complied with. A
great deal Of preliminary work has been
accomplished. and the claim is that
there exists no obstacle to an early re-
enactment of the current law with add
tional safeguards.
There was some CONSERVATION in the
earlier days of the session, among the
friends OF such measure, because of
Speaker Henderson's reference of Chi
nese exclusion bills. It grew out of Rep
resentative Hits known aversion to
such legislation, which he has regarded
as brutal and unwarranted. Officials in
the treasury department who have been
quite as eager to put the bars up high
against the yellow peril" as are the
senators and representatives. from the
Paclf1c coast and inter-mountain states,
had counted on the exclusion bills going
to the committee on immigration and
labor. The members thereof had been
canyassed and were known to be friend
ly to restrictive legislation. Speaker
Henderson upset all such reckonings by
sending the bills to the committee on
foreign relations, of which Mr.. Hit is
chairman.
Chairman Hits view used to be that
the exclusion of the Chinese was contra
ry to the favored nation clause and to
the Burlingame treaty, but since the
treaty of 1894 with China was ratified he
hic ola Ia tta
clusion statute, which immensely re-
Joices the advocates OF such measure.
This treaty OF 1894 was framed while the
late Secretary Gresham, close friend
of Mr.. Hit, was head of Mr.. Cleveland's
cabinet. AS the story goes Mr.. Hit had
hand In framing some of the provis-
ions Of that treaty, which comprises cer-
tain clever phrases. One of these Is q
declaration that China does not want
her people to emigrate to the United
States Of America Going on this SOL
emn declaration of the Chinese govern
ment, 1t is understood that Chairman
Hit feels fully warranted in framing a
new exclusion law.
The comparatively few congressman
who would like to oppose such statute
and who at least think exclusion OF Chi
nese should not be stringent. argue that,
to be eminently fair, this government
has no right to legislate for longer PEE
Rod than the duration Of the treaty OF
1894, now in. force. In q few years more
1t will be In the power OF either the
United States or the Chinese govren-
ment to terminate the instrument by
giving six months notice. Then, accord
ing to the argument one hears, China
could claim that the exclusion act, II in
force. as it undoubtedly will be, is in
violation Of the most favored nation
clause and of the Burlingame treaty.
Here Is where the diplomatists think
their fine work will be evident. Should
China make that plea the American
government could reply that China had
asserted her desire against the immigra-
ton Of Cinnamon to this country. If
Chinese officials should answer that the
Celestial government had changed its
mind Americans could retort that their
government was not In the habit Of
changing front, and has not in this par
ticular instance.
The passage OF the law. while assured,
will not be uncontested. Large Ha-
waiian interests whose representatives
Ct1llcQ dl lltC ~ AiAkS AiOASG SauN OAA SSCClC~
tary Gage some weeks ago, pleading for
an exception that would allow coolie la-t
borers to be imported for the sugar and
rice plantations, are still trying to per-
suade congress that some help Of that
kind is necessary to the salvation Of
those interests. Mr.. Edgar Caypless, of
Honolulu, who was here few days ago
as a judicial aspirant and who has gone
to New York to visit relatives, is corn
ing back In January to labor for such q
provision. Col. Sam Parker. OF Hawaii.
lately made national Committeeman for
the territory, Is also expected here soon
to remain for the winter. altho his err
rand is not altogether for the purpose
Of securing provision in the exclusion
act that will tighten the burdens Of the
Hawaiian planters.
Their efforts are regarded as entirely
hopeless, for the far western delegations
in congress have fully agreed upon a
measure. such. as they want enacted. Il
follows the lines Of bill introduced ear
" in the session by Mr.. Kahn, OF San
Francisco. and being backed by the la
Dor organizations OF the country will
probably be passed without material
modification.