The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-10
WI TO LABOR
The Chinese Diplomat Writes
a Fatherly Letter to
Minneapolis.

WI Ting Fang's official reply to the
resolution passed by the Trades and La
Dor council some weeks ago advising him
not to accept the invitation of RaWlins
Post G. a. RIO visit Minneapolis this
summer, has been received by Secretary
Boreen. The councils resolution was in
spired by the then pending agitation
against the local Chinese restaurants. by
and in behalf of the Cooks union, the
council taking the ground that the Chi
nese minister's presence might intensity
the feeling against his countrymen. Min
listers Wu's3 letter shows keen feeling at
the action Of the Trades and Labor Coun-
ell, but he writes with entire composure
and with dignity well BETTING his sta
ton and fine intellectual training. HIS
letter is as follows: y
| have to acknowledge the receipt of youl
letter of the 18th ult. in which YOU enclose
q copy of the resolution passed by the Mime
apolis Trades and Labor Council, requesting
me to decline the invitation extended to me
by the Rawlins post, G. "A. r.. to deliver an
address in, your city. Coming, as, this resolu-
ton does, from the representatives of so
large a number of organized workingmen in
the city Of Minneapolis.I cannot do otherwise
than give 1t my serious and careful considera-
t;on.l l have not yet made po my mind
whether I shall go to Minneapolis or not In
any case should find that my presence
would .iniuriously affect the interests or Or
gained labor in the least, you might depend
upon, it that 1 would not leave Washington
for that purpose. But am inclined to think
that the purpose of nv proposed visit has
been misconstrued. 1t has nothing to do with
the labor disputes in your city. am not a
labor agtator> in any way. l have been in
yited only to give an address on an occasion
having no connection with labor questions. l
fail to see now my presence under such cir
.cumstances could affect the interests of or
gained labor in YOUR city one way or the
OF her Grant that you have some trouble
with my countrymen in your city. This !
hope, will be, settled in manner satisfactory
to 10th sides. l have too much faith in the
good sense of American Workingmen to& be-
.lieve that my. presence at this Juncture
s.would tend to Intensity the already heated
public sentiment against my countrymen" on
that account. C..i-s- -@,'
--s, A Friend to Labor. r. 4
I need not tell you that am a friend to
labor I heartily sympathize with the hopes,
aims ana aspirations Of laboring men the
world over ! know that superintendent
supply Nf labor is great evil. because 1t
leads to cutthroat competition. But an IN
sufficient supply Of laborzis no less all evil,
because it checks the process of production
"
the comforts of life. ! fear that economic
questions are often studied not in their proper
bearings, but only in certain restricted direc-
tions. For this reason. steps are sometimes
taken which in the long run are not scalcu-
lated to advance the true interests of the
laboring class. 1t seems to me that there is
a community of interest in labor. The hand
of ever.y man should not be against that oil
every other, Tut should grasp that of every
other in friendly sympathy. There should be
no dog in the manager policy. The world is
big enough for ALL There is work enough
for all who really want work, and herein lies
opportunity for mutual assistance. )
1 desire to thank the Trades and Labor
Council for the complimentary references tt
myself and begEto assure you and the coun.
Gil that remain, your true friend,
WI Ting-fang.