The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-04
Especial to the Advertiser.1

SAN f4sANCISCO. Dec. 26.-The Jour
the leading commercial paper of the
world, says anent the Gesirability of
more liberal treatment of Chinese visit
ors to the United States:
| movement is taking shape among the
export and import houses engaged in
trade with China to secure more liberal
| treatment for Chinese merchants and
others visiting Inns country. A represent
tative of this journal called on Silas d.
| Webb, President Of the China &c Japan
Trading Company. to obtain his views on
this subject. MIR. Webb resided in Shang-
hal for over fifteen years and is thor
oughly familiar with the conditions af-
fecting the development of American
trade with the Far East, the corporation
OF which ne is the head doing a very
large business with China through it's
various agencies in the chief treaty ports
OF that Empire.
Mr.. Webb said: 1.-THE insulting and
humilating restrictions which the Chi
nese exclusion act had placed on the en-
try of Chinese merchants, travellers and
students into this country seemed likely
to undo all the advantage we had gained
through the friendly attitude of our gov
eminent during the recent negotiations
between the powers and China. Presl-
dtEl 1hOOSeNGtt very justly EeDNaThSQ IN
his message to Congress that throughout
the troubles which recently beset China
our government has unSwervingly advo-
Gated moderation, and has materially
aided In bringing about an adjustment
which tends to enhance the welfare of
China and to lead to a more beneficial
intercourse between the empire and the
modern world With equal propriety he
recommends that we continue in these
paths, doing what lies In our power to
foster feelings of good will, and leaving
no effort untr.ed to work out the great
policy of full and fair intercourse be-
tween China and the nations, On foot
ing of equal rights and advantages To
all
But why speak OF equal rights and
advantages If we are to treat as If they
were criminals or Migrants Chinese who
visit us for the purpose of studying our
industrial capacity, familiarizing them
selves with our commercial needs or
making arrangements for that exchange
of merchandise against merchandise
which is foreign trade? If an American
merchant visiting China received the
kind Of treatment we accord to Chinese
merchants who come over here there
would be prompt severance of diplo-
matte relations between the two coun~
tries. What foolishness it is to advocate
the open door, with all that it implies,
to seek not merely, as President Roose-
welt expressed it, the procurement of en-
larged commercial opportunities on the
coast, but access to the interior by the
waterways with winch China has been
so extraordinarily favored and yet to
adopt policy calculated to let China
that we regard all her people,
the best and the worst alike. as equally
visitors. 1t is bad enough
to single out the Chinese Iaborer-one OF
the most docle. temperate and indus !.
tTious of human be.ngs-aS if he were
the bearer of moral and physical conta- .
Sion, while freely admitting to the hos .
p'taity of our shores the dregs of every
other nation on the face of the earth +
But it is the height of absurdity to be
every nerve to cultivate closer
commercial relations with China, while
making it impossible for any Chinese :
merchant to come here without sacrific-
7S his self respect. By what right can
We talk about bringing the people of
China into peaceful and friendly commu-
li,y of trade with all the peoples of the
Earth when we record it as the delibera ie
of our lawmakers that they are
lot lit for civilized people to associate
With! The President says in his mes
age; In the attainment of this purpose
We necessarily claim parity of treatment
ihoer the conventions. throughout the {
mpire Tor our trade and our citizens
Win those of all other powers. / fail to '
ee "here the necessarily comes In 1t
Just possible that In negotiating the {
eW treaties the Chinese may not see It {
timer, and they may mildly sussest W 7
IS the propriety of having the measure i
iItn which We mete measured out to Us a
gain. .
Il certainly should not be able to blame Y
nem Tor seeking some method of retaIi- q
tion If the eXtraOrd mary PROPOSAL, nrw ! &
efore Congress should be embodied IN Z T
ew exclusion law. The bin of -..r Kahn h
f California. which 3 now before the h
louise Committee on Foreign Affairs, I .
aenls TO be the measure most in favor s
18th the rabid eXclusionists. 1t provides S
monS other things that every Chinese c
erson or person of Chinese descent seek O
x admission a any port OF the United Il
iates or Its territory upon the ground s
lat he is an official of the Chinese gov e
-nment. teacher. = student, ner- 4
hant. or a traveller for curiosity or b
leasure. shall be required, as a pre- h
7quisite 20 such admission. TO deliver to C