The Washington times., 1903-09-10
CHINESE
FACE HARD RULES

men, after having made its investiga-
tion, Is satisfied the applicants are en-
titled to re-enter the United States after
their sojourn in China Ample time,
Under the rules, is given the department
for investigating the truth of the state
ments of the Chinese applicants, and if,
upon investigation, it is found that the
statements in the afidavits are not based
upon facts warranting the Cinnamon to
re-enter the United States. the oppor-
tunity is then given the proper officials
to deport the Cinnamon for being un-
lawfully in this country The course
which has been pursued by the depart
ment would seem, upon its face, TO be
harsh.
The Investigations are regularly
made before the Cinnamon depart. and
they are permitted to go to China, in
the belief that upon a proper showing
at the port of entry on their return
they will be readmitted for the pur-
poses of pursuing their various busi-
nesses-
Unnecessary Hardship.
In these instances a refusal to admit
fact. disclosed by the testimony elected
by the inspector through his interpreter,
that the Cinnamon had not registered in
the years 1882 and 1898, when, under the
law, they should have done so. This is
a matter that could have properly been
investigated by the officials at the time
the application was made for leave to
depart and return to the United States,
and if that condition of facts was found
TO exist. appropriate action could have
been taken at that time without entail
inc the expense and hardship inflicted
upon the Chinese by the present course
of action.
In the cases cited. it is well estab
lished that the two merchants have been
in this country, one OF them for period
of over twenty years and the other for
twelve or fourteen years. both of them
having been engaged in mercantile busi-
ness at the time the registration of resi-
dence law affecting laborers went into
effect. These three men have between
them close 10 $4,000 invested in busi-
nesses in this city. and yet because Of
failure on the part of the inspectors to
question them as to registration upon
their presentation of their certificates in
the first Instance. they are denied ad-
mission.
Rules Are at Fault
at must be admitted that the immi-
grafton officials are acting well within
the rules which guide their actions. and
no criticism can be had as TO their hold
ings in the matter, but the severest
/ criticism is due to the rules under
which they reach their conclusions.
1t is suggested that in order to avoid
the hardships. action should be taken
1 by the proper authorities which would
require a full and complete investiga-
| tion of the right of a Chinaman not only
| turn after his departure from the United
States al the time of his application. so
that all that would be required would
! be a veriication of the truth OF the af-
| hdavits incorporated in the certificate
and an Identification of the applicant"
| Commissioner General of immigration
| Sargent received dispatches this morn
/ ing announcing that the agents Of the
\ Department of Justice and the Depart
! ment OF Commerce and Labor. who are
| to aid the Canadian Pacific Railroad in
the fight to prevent certain Americans
from compelling the railroad 10 deliver
| Cinnamon at all points along the border
/ instead of in bond at Malone. n. Y, had
arrived at Montreal and would take part
| in the hearing today.