Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-24
CHINESE EXC .USION.
Two Cinnamon Before Committee Who Adm
They Came In on Forged Papers.

Washington, il /. 23-Ex-Secretary OF
State John w: Foster appeared before the
Senate committee on immigration, today
and spoke in opposition to the Chinese
exclusion bills. His remarks were dire Ct
90 more particularly to the Mitchell OF
Pacific coast bill. which. he said was d
pam violation of our treaty with China.
Mr.. Foster said that our government
mad four times asked China to modify eX-
listing treaties in the interest of Ameri-
can citizens and that in every instance
emma mad acceded to our request. He
then submitted for the consideration OF
the committee three propositions.
The first was that any law passed by
the present Congress which continues the
exclusion of Chinese laborers beyond 1907
would be not only without int irrational
authority, but would be in violation OF
treaty stipula atoms
His second proposition was that the eX-
clusion laws should not be made appli-
cable to all our insular possessions and
he said the Hawaiian islands presented
the exact state OF affairs which was con-
templated by the American negotiations
of the exclusion treaty when they gave
the assurance that to such "A condition OF
fairs the exclusion laws would not apply
when all the interests of the islands ask
eo for Chinese i1migra ton and the local
authorities agreed that it would not in
any way affect white labor
Mr.. Fosters third proposition was that
the existing exclusion laws and the legis-
latiOn proposed are in clear disregard t.
treaty stipulations.
Mr.. Foster read from the remarks OF
Minister WI before the committee on for
eign relations, last session. in which he
spoke of the indignities and humiliations
alleged to have been suffered by some
OF his people at the hands of our immi-
grafton officers.
Major General o. o. Howard said he
endorsed all that Mr.. Foster had stated.
He had come in contact with the Chi
nese of the Pacific coast and character
a l.
ncse inspectors in the performance of
their duties as among the iniquities OF
the present execution of the exclusion
law"
Senator McLaurin of Mississippi. asked
Mr.. Foster if Mr.. Wu's statements were
not eX-parte. Mr.. Foster responded that
the statements had not been contradicte1
by the secretary of the treasury or the
commissioner OF immigration, and that
those officers either did not give credenCe
to them or failed IN their duty.
Mr.. POwdcrly. commissioner of immi-
grafton, spoke of the matter referred to
by Mr.. Foster. He said that he thought
it grew out of an anonymous communica-
ticn. The case was investigated he said.
and found to be without a scintilla of
truth. Mr.. Powderly brought two alleged
Chinese merchants to the committe e room
in custody of United States marshal.
who, he said. were fair samples of the
merchants" Minister WI had referred
to.
nTOuSn all Tie
Lee Sang and Chan Ling, admitted tina.
they entered the United States in 1897
on forged certificates, averring that they
were merchants and that they knew OF
the deception. When asked what dispo-
stion was to be made of them. Mr.. Pow
derby said they would be given fair
he airing but that ultimately they would
be deported.
The interpreter Chas Kee, a treasury
official. described methods pursued by a
Chinese company in Chicago in manu-
featuring fraudulent certificates.
Mr.. Foster protested against what he
termed ''tlMS spectacular performance.
Whilst no opportunity was given these
two prisoners to appear with counsel
Richard X. Campbell a Chinese inspect
or, said that in his opinion there were
100 900 Chinese in the United States who
were admitted on false certificates.
Mr.. Foster contended that there were
only $1,000 Chinese in the United States
but Mr.. Campbell declared that the de
partment' information was that the Chi
nese in this country numbered at Least
300 OG0.
The committee will consider the subject
further Monday.
Lee Sang and Chan Ling. the Chinamei
whom Commissioner of immigration Pow
derby took to the Senate, today. and VIII,
admitted that tiiev entered the United
States OF fraudulent certificates, were ar
raigned before United States commits
sioner later in the day and held for d
hearing, Tuesday.