The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-31
Commissioner Wong Says 1mml-
grafton Act Prevents Youths
From Studying Here.
STUDENTS DENIED ADMISSION.
Thinks Treasury Departments Ac-
ton in Regard to His Effects
May Have Far-Reaching
Influence on Question.

effects belonging 10 wong Kali Kah. tho
Chinese Commissioner to the Worlds Fair,
free Of duty, may have a far wider effect
than anticipated.
ITO st. Louis alone" said Mr. Wong yes
terday. any amelioration of the Treasury
regulations would mean the incoming OF
hundreds OF high-class Chinese to universi-
ties. business colleges and business-houses,
who are row greatly hampered in their ef-
forts to take advantage Of American insti-
tUtions.
l am greatly gratiied at the action Of
the Treasury Department in admitting my
goods. 1 am sure my Government will ap-
preciate It, also. I am using every en-
deavor in my power to induce the sons Of
hlgh-class Chinese-and mean by that not
only the sons Of what you might term vel
TODD merchants. but the sons Of great mer-
chant princes-to come to American, and
especially to come to ST. Louis.
FOLLOW AMERICAN PRECEPT.
II do not mean by that I am merely
urging them to make individual exhibits OF
their great private treasures of art. Of brio
a-brac. which have been in their families
for generations. for that. Of course. Is one
OF the essential objects Of my presence In
St Louis.
II mean that beyond that 1 am anxious
to hove these sol Of great men In emma
young men who. like the sons OF Mr. Gouiu.
Mr.. Mackey, Mr.. Vanderbilt and others, Will
one day become great men in finance, COM
1nerce and especially in the government OF
China, to cone to America and make s!s-
ternatic study of American ways
You know the rich Chinese youths are
essentially students. Their great ambition
caryfPa To On
that YOU know what tremendous study is re-
ouired and how severe are the competitive
examinations
We'll. # all goe: to make Students rather
than men of affairs of our young men L
an, striving now to induce these young men
to come TO ST. Louis and see what the sons
of rich Americans are doing: how they are
taking their coats of. as you say; how they
are going into laboratories, learning prac-
teal electrical work. engineering in all its
varied branches. and how they are. at ..
becoming leaders of great financial estab-
lishnents.
1T is a great lesson. and the young men
OF China, the best class. which you never
or seldom see here. would be glad to come
if you will only let them.
But will you let them come? That Is the
great. the important. question 1 cannot,
and. for manifest reasons, would not, at
tempt to criticise the action Of the Ameri-
can Government in any way. 1t is distinct
Iy not my desire or intention to do so.
TT would be an encroachment on the ex-
elusive rights and privileges of our ex-
celient Minister at Washington. 1t is not
my affair. 1 can only ask you to read the
circular recently issued by the Treasury De-
partnent governing the admission of Chi
nese persons to the United States to take
part in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
DISCUSSES CHINESE CIRCULAR
u shall not, as l have said, attempt for a
momen: to enter upon the merits or disad-
vantages OF that circular. 1 only want yhe
readers of The Republic to peruse 1t. and
ask themselves how they would like to
meet with an order of that kind on enter
ing China.
Il will give you amusing instance of
the lack of discrimination that is manifested
in the American laws about the immigra-
ton of Chinese TO America without distinc-
ton of class.
There was young boy. Is years old.
Tong Pau TunS. the son Of a great tea
merchant at Han-Kow, the greatest tea
port in the world. His father had heard
much from us. who had been in America,
uonal educational advantages of this coun-
try. he sent his son over here TO go to
college He arrived in Vancouver and trav-
e.ed over one OF the Canadian railroads to
Toronto.
There. he came over to America He was
stopped.
a custom oif!cial-I don't know whether
he was 4 tirst-c.ass official third grade.
or what you might call him-questioned
Ions. however. about his reasons for COM
ing tc America. He wanted to know what
Profession he was going TO take up.
The boy said: 4 am only 10 years old. L
Stud 2 'i English ffst and Them no When IS maks
fession.'
IF you want 10 study English. you will
have to go to England. l know your tricks.
You are coming over here to pick up lit
tie knowledge and then start a laundry. O.
go to work. and then skip back to China
well. that boy went back but his father
was SO anxious that he should have an
American education that he asked me in 10
include him in my suite. and did SO, and
brought him back with me. and he Is study
ing under an American tutor, not far from
St. Louis to-day.
BOY REFUSED ENTRY.
II knew the son of another very rich
Chinese merchant. He had received an in
jury TO his eye that threatened to ruin his
sight. His father counseIed every person he
knew in order 20 select the best oculist
money could provide 20 save his boys sight.
Finally from all the world he selected
America That boy came over. He arrived
at San Francisco. The custom officials ex-
aInined him.
They said you have something the mat
ter with your eyes Yes. said the boy,
that is why am here or rather his inter-
prefer said it for him, for his father had
sent an interpreter with him. Well, We
don't allow diseased Chinese to come here
said the official. You can't land He went
to Germany. where he is now having his
eye treated
Il Gle these cases in good humor I am
anxious to have the Chinese youths come
to st. Louis, to go into your universities IL
/ can, but at least to come to the Exposi-
ton I know they will come if you viii let
RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE
Circular No. of the Treasury Depart
ment Immigration Bureau. containing the
rules and regulations governing the adj
mission OF Chinese persons to the United
States to take part in the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition to which Mr.. Wong re-
fetred. contains some curious provisions.
The circular operates under the act of
Congress entitled An act to prohibit the
within the United States its Territories,
and all territory under its jurisd .ction and
the District of Columbia, OF Chinese and
persons OF Chinese descent"
1t provides that each Of such persons shah
furnish satisfactory evidence that he is an
exhibitor at the exhibition. or the holder OF
4 privilege. or employed by such privilege
/. holder.
He must have triplicate photograph of
himself.
He must proceed directly to ST. Louis and
go direct TO the Exposition grounds. and
must return to China within thirty days
after the Exposition closes.
He must furnish bond in the sum of $500
| for the fulillnient CT these provisions.
He must not leave the Exposition grounds
N-r-Srt I'D rr