The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13
SPANS EXPERIENCE WITH THE
CHINESE,

While the Chinese exclusion bill was un-
der discussion in the Senate few days ago
senator inquired if there were any re-
strictive laws against the Chinese in the
Philippines during Spanish ownership of
the islands. The senator who had the floor
answered that he was not positive, but he
thought there was head tax at that time.
The senators were not we'll informed on
the subject. The fact is the question of
Chinese immigration was a live one in the
Philippines for more than a hundred years,
and at different times it gave the Spaniards
a great deal Of trouble. The history of the
Chinese in the Philippines shows that under
certain conditions they may become agrees
sive-hard to control and still harder to
root out.
The Chinese had traded with the Philip
pine islands from period long before
Spanish dominion was established there,
and the natives hated them. Manila was
founded in 1911, and by 1885 the Chinese had
become numerous in the islands At first
the Spanish government protected them
and encouraged their coming, but the i'm
migration finally became an invasion. About
the middle of the seventeenth century they
revolted against the Spanish government
and laid siege to Manila. The rebellion
was suppressed, and the Chinese were
slaughtered in great numbers This led to
restrictions on their immigration, but they
continued to come. In 1755 the Spanish
government issued a decree for the expul-
sion of all non-Christian Chinese from the
islands. The decree was to take effect on
June 30 of that year. Before the day ar
rived many Of the Chinese had embraced
hristianity-probably with about as much
sincerity as they do nowadays-but more
than 1900 were banished from Manila alone.
This edct was followed by a war of ex-
termination, which reduced their numbers
to minimum. and the immigration nearly
ceased. In 1910 it was estimated that there
were only 5000 Chinese in all the Philip
pines. but they were still disturbing ele-
ment. In 1859. long before the Chinese
question had become a serious one in this
country, the Spanish governor general of
the Philippines wrote paper in which he
said:
One of the most difficult questions re-
mains To be solved on my giving up of my
| command-that OF the commerce carried on
| by the Chinese in the provinces. The
/ clamor against these Asiatics is general in
the country because competition with them
| Is not possible. Spaniards. mestiZos, In
/ dams, all give them free field in retail
/ business when they enter. Their few needs,
/ their patience under every insult and veX-
| alton and sacrifice, and personal labor
| which they can utilize, except agriculture,
| the ease with which they adapt themselves
/ to the customs of the natives, and to the
/ exchange of produce and to all the needs
| OF the consumer, the insignifcance of their
/ the close corporation which they maintain
| among themselves, all place them I'm a sit
4 uatio-, advantageous TO them, but not al
/ ways TO commercial progress. The truth
/ is that they have practically monopOliZed
retail business In the provinces IL is, in
general, true that they do not start any
enterprise or undertaking OF any impor-
lance. They hoard by instinct, and hide
/ or take away their capital from the coun-
| try, which capital. in other hands, would
| be a powerful element OF progress and ad-
/ vancement; but is IL possible and would II
be prudent 10 at once reverse the customs
1 OF the country, which Is now accustomed
/ TO the services of the Chinese in the retail
/ business referred to?
II is interesting 10 compare these views
with the conditions which have developed
In this country. In 1886. two years before
our war with Spain. a number OF the lead
/ ing merchants and manufacturers OF the
Philippines united IN a report TO the Spau.