The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-05

intelligently progressive peoples oi ZIG
earth, regardless of political divisions.
Tie population of China has recently
been ascertained to be 426.ooo,ooo souls with
such overwhelming numbers to draw upon
no emigration movement could be cneckeo'
and those who were interested in securing
contract or coolie labor would have no dit-
ficulty in getting all the material necessary
to control the labor situation in any coun-
try where the importation of the Chinaman
was unrestricted.
Jamaica is a near example of an attempt
to educate an ignorant and shiftless popu-
lation into prosperity. The attempt mas
failed. The natives have a smattering OF
education. and it has ruined them so far
as responsibility and ambition are con-
cerned. The banana industry was fallure
until Chinese coolies were imported They
do not lower the tone of the natives, Tor
that would be impossible. They do what
the natives will not do-take advantage OF
the opportunity to work. Through the use
of coolies in Jamaica the great fruit IN
dustry of Boston has grown to what IL Is.
II Jamaica had belonged to the United
States this industry would not have been
developed, for coolie labor was necessary
feature.
British administrators familiar with the
Malayan peoples believe that it will not be
long before the American people will con-
sent to a modification of Chinese exclusion
as applied to the Philippines. and that this
change of front will be brought about by
a more intimate knowledge and experience
of the Malayan character in the class
which in the tropics must be depended upon
r. Ill xrft IN ha
London Times, who is vouched for by that
staid journal as a man of wide colonial ad-
ministrative experience. sums up his belief
by saying that Chinese immigrants should
be freely admitted-nay, encouraged-in
every legitimate way into all countries
whose circumstances render the Chinese
race the fttest TO survive under the work
ing of the natural law; that they should
be rigidly excluded from lands suitable TO
Europeans, where their competition would
seriously injure the higher race; and, f1anl-
ly, that the special conditions of the native
population of South Africa render the ex-
clusion of Chinese from that country a
matter of the first Importance. The ques-
ton is one which is agitating the minds of
thousands of Anglo-Saxons, both in and
beyond the British empire. to-day
NEW PROBLEM FOR ENGLAND.
While this question of Chinese exclusion
is an old one, England confronts it to-day
for the first time as a part of important
national policy in the reconstruction OF a
great but war-devastated portion OF her
empire. AS is the English custom. the
question is approached slowly, circumspect-
ly, and with a certain ponderosity which
makes all things seem very serious and i'm
portant and ii is rather difficult, in this
general air of seriousness over all things.
to discover the relative Importance of ques-
tions under discussion. The alien observer
is tempted at times even when his respect
| and admiration for the country and its peo-
pie are unqualified. to wish that some one
| would dispel the gloom by making few
frivolous remarks or doing a song and
| dance at critical moment of elaboration.
| The effect might be shocking. but possibly
not entirely without compensation.
The English people are now overwrought
as to the future of South Africa. The Chi
naman is threatening a descent upon that
| land to compete with the Kaffir in the labor
of the mines-hence the Chinese question.
With the usual British thoroughness the
| local application is not considered enough.
and the world is raked with fine-tooth
comb to discover facts, precedents and
| opinions. They are arriving daily in vast
array. The history of the Chinese in their
| own and every other country is at hand
| The opinion of every past, present or
| would-be administrator Of colonial affairs
| is forthcoming, and, as usual, the employer
| and the employed differ widely as to what
should be done, politicians following in the
wake of either party, as their interests die
| tate.
Some authorities believe the Kafir is as
bad as the Malay, and should be allowed
to become extinct or retire to the bush
| from whence he came. Others assert that
he has labored in a fairly satisfactory man
ner in the past, and can do even better in
the future IL properly protected and guided
The general opinion, however, is adverse
to admitting Chinese labor to the African
colonies. SO it will probably be kept out
| There is absolute agreement, however, that
Chinese labor will be required in the Phil
ippines before that country can be devel
oped, and that all the education in the
world will not enable the indolent and fee
BILE natives to render a days work for
days wages with reasonable regularity. ant
there are many Americans now engaged in
the commerce of the Philippines who EN-
phatically agree with this conclusion. The
exclusion of the Chinese appears to be
recognized worldwide principle of govern
ment among civilized nations. but one Il
be administered according TO local need.
and not necessarily following the flag"
j. d. wHELPLEY.
| rrrrrYyHYr ED mr. rUnrYnYn