The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-11
CHINESE EXCLUSION.

The Chinese exclusion question is a per-
picking one on account of the various in
terests it involves and the different as
poets it presents. On the main proposition
of protecting American labor by excluding
Chinese immigration, in general, there can
be no doubt or difference of opinion. Our
duty in the premises is as clear as our
right, and that is to erect and maintain a
permanent bar against the admission of
Chinese immigrants of the laboring class
But the question is complicated by very
different conditions in our new island pos
sessions from those which exist in the
States; by the Importance of maintaining
friendly trade relations with China and by
treaty stipulations which we cannot repu-
pretext for repudiating other treaty stipu-
lations which we are anxious TO have OBJ
served. These considerations do not af-
feet our rights or duty on the main propo-
sition, but they complicate the question.
Those who are conversant with the situa-
ton must have noticed that Chinese labor
is desired in Hawaii and the Philippines.
but If the. Chinese are admitted into our
island possessions how can they be kept
out of the States? Yet many intelligent
Americans in Hawaii and the Philippines
say the Chinese are needed there. The
first Philippine Commission, in it's first re-
port of 1900. discussed the question at some
length. During Spanish control of the
islands decided hostility to the Chinese had
grown up and the commission found a
strong anti-Chinese feeling there. The re-
port of the commission presented both
sides OF the case and concluded that in
the development Of many parts of the
archipelago Chinese labor would be ad-
vantageous In Hawaii they are said to be
necessary to sugar culture. but perhaps
their places could be supplied with labor
from other quarters. If they were al
lowed to enter our island possessions they
could not be kept out of the States. Yet
within a few days a petition was presented
in Congress signed by many leading bust
ness men OF San Francisco, asking that
the exclusion be not extended to Chinese
merchants and traders. Neither should it
extend to Chinese scholars and students
who may come here to get an education
or to study our institutions. There cannot
be any menace to American labor in that
In fact, a. number OF boards OF trade in
California and Oregon, representing the
business interests, have adopted resolu-
lions which were presented to Congress
claiming that the anti-Chinese demands of
labor organizations in that section of the
country were excessive and too restrictive.
Another eomplcating feature OF the case
is the existing treaty between the United
States and China. II is thought by many
that If Congress extends the exclusion act
beyond the expiration OF our treaty with
China it will seriously affect our CONNER
cial relations with that country and be
equivalent morally. 10 violating the
treaty. This government should be ex-
ceedingly careful not to put itself In that
position. The question Of the constTuc-
ton OF the treaty of 1894 and whether the
provisions of the proposed law are within
its scope or not is an open one. but the
fact that members OF Congress and law