Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-16

domination In the Philippines were elabor-
ateiy planned and productive of consider
able revenue. yet 1t Is generally conceded
that large numbers annually evaded the
omcials, and for this reason, II for no
other, the statistics OF that government
cannot be accepted as showing accurately
the number Of Chinese in these islands at
any time. Their disposition to engage in
peddling from village to village. and to
penetrate into the districts Of the interior
inhabited solely by pagan tribes. with
whom they barter for the various crude
products of the mountain forests, made the
Chinese difficult problem to the census
enumerator and collector OF personal taxes.
Immigration Statistics.
During the calendar year 1900 the num-
Der OF Chinese immigrants presenting
themselves at the port of Manila was
ores. of which number 1850 were allowed
to enter. During the same period 9173
emigrants OF the same race left the port
Of Manila for foreign ports. During the
first four months Of the current year there
We're admitted '5,277 of the $3.50 chinese
immigrants who presented themselves. and
the emigrants OF the same race numbered
but 4,027. The number of immigrants re-
fused admission during this latter period,
405, exceeds the total number of the same
class during the whole year Of 1900
1.-THE relatively large number OF these
immigrants who have been refused adms-
sion to these islands during the first
months Of 1901 Is explained by the elabo-
rate and systematic efforts on the part
of brokers at continental ports to secure
by fraudulent means the admission of Chi
nese not entitled under existing regula-
lions to land here. The means adopted
with a view to deceiving customs officials
consisted. in the case Of one port. In the
operation Of a school for instruoting
would-be Chinese immigrants to the Philip
sy, hn ayNlN ton royNhN afn
Of Manila and other parts of the archi-
pelago. With the aid of the knowledge
thus acquired 1t was apparently expected
that little difficulty would be experienced
in satisfying customs officials that an appli-
cant had previously lived in the Philip
pines, under Spanish domination, although
no documentary evidence in support OF
such residence was forthcoming. Another
scheme was that Of former employee OF
the Manila custom house, who went to an
Asiatic port and endeavored by means OF
forged certificates Of previous residence
to secure the admission OF large numbers
Of Chinese
Scheme to Evade the Laws.
1.-THE above are given as samples Of the
determined methods by which unscrupu-
lous individuals have persistently attempt
ed to evade the immigration regulations in
force here. These attempted impositions
have been generally detected and 1t is not
believed that many Chinese have been ad-
mftted who were not entitled to such privi-
lege, yet to discriminate between this lat
ter class and those having the right to
land has involved an immense amount of
labor for the customs service Each case
has been made the subject Of careful in
vestigation and no effort has been spared
to deal justly with each individual.
mo change has been made in the regu-
lations applied to Chinese immigration
during the period covered by this report.
There have been received at this office re-
peated requests for the admission Of in
dividuals Of the prohibited classes, but
the general course pursued has been to
make no exceptions in the application OF
regulations which were deemed to be quite
liberal enough.
Exclusion to Be Made Complete.
at is believed that the reasons upon
which were based the present liberal regu-
lations governing the return to the islands
of former Chinese residents Of the archipef-
ago will have ceased to exist by December
81 next, at which time 1t Is recommended
that these regulations be repealed and the
exclusion be made as complete as in the
case Of the admission of Chinese to the
United States. It Is the judgment Of nearly
all who have direct knowledge of the con-
ditions here that the interests Of the archi-
pelago and of the Filipino people demand
the application Of stringent regulations on
Chinese immigration, amounting to practi-
cal prohibition.
There has been a more or less constant
stream Of immigrants from China TO these
islands for the past three centuries and O
half of which we have historical record.
Although these immigrants were at first
ish officials, there is to be observed a grad
ual and uniform tendency. growing
stronger as time passed and the practical
knowledge of experience increased. to dis
courage the presence of these aliens in the
archipelago.
Tot AAA In
'"The belief that the manufactured goods
and skilled labor Of China were necessary
for the trade and development Of the Phil
ippines seems to have been the cause for
the early attitude Of the Spanish govern
mental authorities here toward Chinese i'm
migration AS commercial and Industrial
conditions improved the necessity, If such
ever did exist, passed away, and regula-
lions were applied to Chinese residents IN
these islands which would have caused any
other race to Immediately migrate end
forever avoid. this country. No such effect
was produced upon them, however, and
they persisted in seeking admission to the
archipelago, where they found. as COM
pared with themselves. less crafty and
energetic people, whom they could easily
exploit. By an answering cooperation,
mutually assisting and protecting each
other, the Chinese element can hardly fan
in any country to be successful in CONNER
cial and industrial competition with other
races How detrimental eventually Chi
nese control ds to any branch Of commerce
or industry finds one of many illustrations
in the case of the tobacco interests In Lu-
zon. in which, having gained control OF the
production Of the raw material. they were
able to likewise control its manufacture In
these islands. with the result that their
methods, having in view greatest imme-
date profits only, soon threatened to ruin
q leading industry in the Philippines.
1.-THE consensus of the best opinion
among those who have long resided in this
archipelago and have become acquainted
with conditions nf the country and the
people is that there Is no necessity for any
considerable increase in the number of
Chinese here, and that their influence in
large numbers is detrimental to the future
development and welfare of the islands
and their Inhabitants. 1t is recognized
that there are at present certain classes Of
skilled labor for which it is impossible to
secure native mechanics in sufficient num-
Der; such are, perhaps few of those
concerned in the construction and repair of
ships, expert stonecutters, and a very linn
tied number OF other artisans. Manual
training schools will, however. provide
skilled workmen in all trades within few
years. Should 1t be deemed necessary to do
so. Chinese mechanics of these classes
might be admitted temporarily under prop
Sy,ta xy1k1,