Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-02
MIR. WI ms Political Adviser.

In his address to the students of the Uni
versity of Michigan. delivered at Ann Ar
Dor last night. WI Tingfang said
This country needs restrictive immigra-
ton laws of general scope, and not laws
that single out one race The special laws
against Chinese immigration are the re-
suit of ignorance of the facts
China has 35O.o00.O90 people. and her inn
mense territory Is able to support this popu-
lation. All Cinnamon love home, and have
horror of travelling abroad All Cinnamon.
except diplomats, who leave China come
from the province of Guam Tung- Inc
Chinese barriers in this country should be
removed"
Mr.. WI must see that we make an ex-
ception of the Chinese both pro and con.
Observe the exceptional favor which lie
himself enjoys at the hands Of the United
States. The question of renewing the Geary
law. which the approa ching Congress is to
be called upon to decide, is purely political
and domestic, and wholly outside of the
scope of Mr.. wu's privileges in the matter
OF public addresses. Held to the letter AMI
spirit of his commission as the representa-
tive of China at this capital. Mr.. WI would
be confined to the State Department in any
observations he might desire to make on
that subject. But with refreshing freedom
he puts the restriction aside and virtually
takes the stump against the Geary law
He discusses 1t at every opportunity, and,
with candor that is little excused by good
English and a lively wit, he discourses on
our narrowness and shortsightedness and
advises us in the matter of legislation.
Neither the British, the German. the Rus
sian. the French nor the Italian representa-
tive would essay such a role. Nor would
we tolerate him for a moment in such a
role
But Mr. WI supplies in his own argument
a sufficient reason for keeping the gates
closed against his countrymen. The China
man, he says, loves his home. He docs,
and he never ceases to love it. If he leaves.
it is with a view of returning as soon as
possible-as soon as he has stuffed his wal
let under favoring skies. Wherever lie may
be. or whatever engaged in, his heart is al
ways in China He dreams of a return,
and of a renewal of the old life. His inter
est in any country to which he MAJ have
emigrated relates only to the opportunity
1t may afford him for making money It's
laws. it's religion, its language, It's ciriiiza-
tion make no appeal to him. He arrives
Chinaman, he remains Chinaman, ne re-
turns a Chinaman. He is unassimilabIc,
and against assimilation.
This alone differentiates the Chinaman
from the European so far as the question
of our immigration is concerned. The Eu-
ropean is soon an American citizen. He
brings his heart and his family with linn
He adopts the country and its institutions.
America becomes his country. He learns
Its language in case he does not already
know it, he invests his savings in tts lands
and industries. and when war comes he en-
lists and helps to fight it's battles. If he
returns to his old home it is but to pay a
visit. and not infrequently to drum for re-
cruits for his new home.
The Geary law in its essential features
will probably be renewed. 1t ought to be.
MIR. WI to the contrary, 1t was not adopted
I'm ignorance, and all developments Ia re
fully justified it's enactment.