The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-16
The GEARY LAW

The objections to the further extension
of the Chinese exclusion law made by Sec
rotary Hay to the senate immigration
committee yesterday, are worthy of con-
sideration. Our government has been en-
deavoring to promote our trade relations
with China and it would be an affront to
the Chlnese government to extend exclu-
sion without comforting with the latter on
the subject of renewing the treaty ap-
proving the law which expires in 1904
China may terminate the treaty by giving
notice, before it's expiry; otherwise it will
extend another ten years.
IT China does terminate the treaty and
congress re-enacts the exclusion law. the
latter will not have the support of the
treaty for China is not likely to consent
to bind herself to such a stringent law
again. She can hardly be expected to do
so. The administration is committed to
the policy of excluding Chinese laborers
and the proper way to proceed is for the
government to negotiate with the Chinese
government for restriction upon the emf
grafton movement which is confined to
one or two provinces in China and can be
controlled by the provincial authorities
Restriction should begin at the point
OF departure. The government of Japan
has agreed to restrict the emigration of
Japanese laborers to this country, and the
same thing may be accomplished in China.
Chinese immigration into this country is
comparatively light. There are only about
l25,0OO Cinnamon resident in the United
States and most of the evils originating
with them, as alleged, could be removed
If the cities where they live enforce their
own ordinances. For instance, in San
Francisco much is heard about the
Chinese quarter being plague spot 1t is
such through the neglect of San Francisco
to enforce her own ordinances. When the
bubonic plague broke out there last year,
the locality was cleaned up and fumigated
and disinfected for the first time The
plague spot exists simply because the city
will not enforce it's sanitary laws
The Chinese were invited to this country
on equal terms with immigrants of other
nations. They were coaxed to come and
build the transcontinental railways They
were made to believe that they were an
absolute necessity to the nation. 1t was
discovered that they were menace to
white labor on the Pacific coast and the
sentiment changed from satisfaction to
hatred and persecution and hostile legisla-
ton. The Chinese being disfranchised
take the place of the under dog. Our gov
eminent cannot undertake to deport them
The laws of exclusion could hardly be
! more severe than they are, and, just now,
on the ground of self-interest alone, it
would be very bad policy to anger the
Chinese government with whom it is de-
sirable to negotiate commercial treaties
which will give our manufacturers and
merchants large trade advantages in
China.
It is the duty of congress to effect an
understanding with the Picking govern
| ment on the subject Of restricting immi-
grafton. The Geary exclusion act was
passed without notifying the Chinese gov
| eminent or4securing it's assent. That as
sent was obtained some years after in q
treaty with China. 1t was an entirely
improper mode Of procedure on the part
Of congress to ignore the views Of China,
and such methods ought not to be OF rec
ord in the future. If China had been
treated in the past with some Difference
!sto her rights, It Is probable that the
! Boxer tragedy would not have blackened
the pages Of modern history.