New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-15
CHINESE EXCLUSION DEBATE
THE PENDING BILL OPPOSED BY SEN
ATORS FORAKER AND M'LAURIN.

Washington April 1.-THE Chinese Exclusion bill
occupied the attention of the Senate to-day MI
Foraker of Ohio, and Mr.. McLaurin of South
Carolina making extended speeches in opposition
Mr. McIaurin said that the bill was calculated by
ito restrictive action and inimical spirit to Kill
American trade with China. This was considera-
ton OF vital Importance to South Carolina with
its vast cotton production and the growing snip
nents of cotton goods to China
Mr. Foraker said he desired to, emphasize the
fact that he was opposed to the general propo-
sition that Chinese laborers skilled or unskilled
should be excluded. His opposition was not on &C
count of the prohibition policy. but was on account
Of other features of the pending bill. chiefly those
relating to exempted classes. These features. he
declared were IN violation OF treaty rights. and
were calculated to work serious injury to the peo-
pe of this country especially to the wage workers
Mr. Foraker took up the various treaties, showing
the development of the exclusion policy and the
rights given and the restrictions imposed.
Replying to a question from Mr.. Platt. OF Con-
necticut Mr.. Foraker said that Ii Hung Chang
would have been excluded from this country under
the provisions of pending BILL and China could
recinrocallv exclude our missionaries engineers and
students He contended that the treaty of 1894 was
visions on exclusion and that the only prohibition
under that treaty was against laooIers an other
No had pointed out any y, harm resulting from
the admission OF the educated hi chinese He there
treaties and begnnins an u r policy c,
nese policy Of sending youths to American schools
would not make each one or these youths an ad-
vance agent of American civilization.
Mr. Foraker responded by reading recent edicts
sent abroad to study And yet he declared. at this
moment Senators asked to vote to exclude
Chinese students from our shores. In his Judgment
n more unwise provision. and one more violattve OF
our treaty obligations, had not been proposed since
he entered the Senate. Mr.. Foraker denied that
the proposed measure was in the interest OF wage
earners The United States. he said has an enor-
nous surplus product which must be disposed Of in
the outside world Europe could take little more
than at present We must look to the Far East
na rticulsrly now that have foothod in the
Philippines In China declared the Senator is the
Greatest opportunity for a market that the world
sffords to-day We sell less than 10 cent OF the
amount China buys Under the mastery diplomacy
of William Mckinley our MERCHANTS had secured
the '.open door In China. The pending measure
in his opinion would overcome all the good secured
by this open door.
Mr. Lodge proposed amendments to what IL
known as the seamen's clause. One of the amend
ments struck out the entire clause prohibiting Chi
nese sailors American ships. and the other In
creased $4,000 the bond to be given by foreign
ships not to permit the landing of Chinese sailors
The amendments went over
RESPONDING to Mr. Foraker's contention that the
nending bill was vioave of the treaty with China.
Mr.. Teller pointed out that the right to aoroGate
treaty completely recognized.