The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-24
Ex-Secretary Of state Makes n Nigor-
GUS Protest Against the Proposed
Exclusion Act.
TREATY WILL BE VIOLATED
IF THE MITCHELL BILL BE PASSED
AND PUT IN FORCE.
Gen. Foster Also Strongly Objects TO
Commissioner POwderIy's "Spec-
tncuIar Performances"


of State John w. Foster appeared before
the Senate committee on immigration to-
day and spoke in opposition to the Chinese
exclusion bills which have been introduced
in Congress. His remarks We're directed
more particularly to the Mitchell, or Paeihc
coast bill, which, he said was a plain vio-
lation of our treaty with China. Mr.
Foster said our government had four times
asked China to modify existing treaties in
the interest of American citizens, and that
in every instance China had acceded to our
request. He then submitted for the consid-
Grafton of the committee three PROPOSE
tons:
The first was that any law passed by the
present Congress which continues the ex-
clusion of Chinese laborers beyond 1904
would be not only without international
authority, but would be in violation of
treaty stipulations He said that during
the negotiations resulting in the treaty of
1894 the United States sought to have the
exclusion of Chinese laborers extended to
twenty years and that the Chinese gov
eminent refused to make it for more than
ten years. He also insisted that when the
treaty of 1894 came to an end the Burlin-
game treaty of 1868 would be revived and
come into force, which treaty stipulated for
the free and unrestricted emigration OF
Chinese Of all classes into the United
States. The treaty, he said, had only been
suspended as to immigration, not aoro-
gated.
His second proposition was that the eX
clusion laws should not be made applicable
TO all our insular possessions. and said the
Hawaiian islands presented the exact state
of affairs which was contemplated by the
American negotiators of the exclusion
treaty when they gave the assurance that
TO such a condition OF affairs the exclusion
laws would not apply when all the interests
of the islands asked for Chinese immigra-
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 legislation
proposed are in clear disregard Of treaty
stipulations. He cited the stipulation of
the treaty of 1894 which guaranteed to all
Chinese in the United States the most IA
vOred-nation treatment and the provisions
of treaties with other nations guaranteeing
to them the same treatment as TO the pro-
lection of their persons and property as
that enjoyed by native citizens.
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 immigration
officers.
Major General o. o. Howard said he in
dorsed all that Mr.. Foster said. He had
come in contact with the Chinese on the
Pacific coast and characterized the alleged
undue diligence of Chinese inspectors in
the Performance of their duties as among
the iniquitieS of the present execution or
the exclusion law"
Senator McLaurin, of Mississippi asked
Mr.. Foster if Mr.. Wus statements were
not ex parte. Mr.. Foster responded that
the statements had not been contradicted
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.. Foster
protested against star chamber proceedings
with respect to the Chinese, saying they
were given no opportunity to go into court
and be heard.
Mr. Powderly spoke of the matter re-
ferred 10 by Mr.. Foster. and said he
thought il grew out of an anonymous COM
munication. The case, he said, was in
scintilla of truth. Mr.. POwderly brought 10
the committee room in custody of a United
States marshal, two alleged Chinese mer-
chants who, he said, were talr samples OF
the merchants" Minister WI had re-
ferred to. Through an interpreter the pris-
oners. Lee Sang and Chan Ling, admitted
they had entered the United States in 1897
on forged certificates, alleging that they
were merchants and that they knew OF
the deception. Asked what disposition was
TO be made OF them Mr.. Powderly said they
would be given a fair hearing, but that
they would ultimately be deported.
The interpreter, Charles kee, a treasury
OHlclal described l0elDOOS pursued ny q
Chinese company of Chicago in manufac-
turing fraudulent certificates
Mr. Foster protested against what he
termed this spectacular performance,
without giving these two prisoners an op-
portunity to appear with counsel.
Richard X. Campbell, a Chinese inspector
said that in his opinion there were 100 00
Chinese in the United States who were ad-
mitted on false certificates.
| Mr. Foster contended that there were
only 90 600 Chinese in the United States. but
Mr. Campbell stated that the department
information was that the Chinese in this
country numbered at least 100000. The com
mittee will further consider the subject
next Monday.
Lee Sang and Chan Ling, the two Chinese
whom Commissioner of immigration Pow.
derby took to the Senate to-day and who
admitted that they entered the United
! States fraudulent certificates, later il
! the day were arraigned before a United
/ States commissioner and held for a hear
! ing on Tuesday.
Former Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury Hamin, representing commercial or
| CARNATIONS of Boston. and s. G.. Mead o
/ the Merchants Association of New York
/ appeared before the House committee OF
! foreign affairs to-day in opposition to tn,
/ enactment of the Mtchell-Kahn Chimes,
| exclusion bill. They made arguments SINH
/ lar to those made when they were before
| the Senate committee on Tuesday