The Washington times., 1904-06-19

Bret Harte's opinion that the
heather Chinee is peculiar is shared
by Commissioner General OF Immigra-
ton Frank p. Sargent. who adds the
postulate that. when IT comes TO evad-
ing the Chinese exclusion Laws. he is a
most willy and resourceful customer.
Perhaps there Is no class OF foreigner
about whom there is more popular mis-
apprehension. When. two months ago,
China served notice. as was her right.
~abrogating the existing treaty between
her and the United States SIX months
later. It was printed broadcast that the
reason for dissatisfaction was the treat
ment or her merchants who came 20 eX-
hibit at the LOUISIANA Purchase GSpp-
sition. in their detention for a time at
San Francisco. 1t was also stated in the
spa that when the merchants
were finally permitted to proceed to St.
Louis. II was under bond not TO stop
en- route. leave the Fair Grounds while
there. and to return to China within
thirty days after the close of the far.
Merchants Not Restricted.
As a matter of fact no such restrIc
lions appl TO Chinese merchants seek
ing to make a display of their goods
The only requirement in such case is the
presentation OF a certificate setting forth
that he is a merchant on such a mis-
sion. issued by the Chinese government,
and vised by the United States consul
lar or diplomatic officer at the port Of
departure.
This requirement was made clear to
the Chinese government and our con-
suIar and diplomatic agents in CHINA
more thar a year ago. Yet a number OF
exhibitors neglected to provide them
selves with the necessary certificate,
and came over here with nothing TO
show them exhibitors but their bare
word.
Such were. indeed. detained a short
time, but upon satisfying the immigr1-
ton authorities that their claims were
bona hde. the regulations were in every
case waived. as a matter OF courtesy.
and they were allowed 10 proceed.
There is a provision for a $500 bond
to observe certain conditions and return
10 him at the close Of the fair. This
applies. however. TO the laborers brought
over by exhibitors 10 work for them
Its raison d'etre is obvious. II exclusion
laws are 10 be enforced. Even these can
leave the grounds for forty-eight hours
at a time by applying TO the proper off,
Ger for a pass.
Another false impression is created by
trials before United States commission
ers along the Canadian border. in which
are heard the cases OF Chinese arrested
for being unlawfully within the United
States. II so happens that in a vast
majority Of these cases the ruling Is
in favor Of the Chinaman. This gives
the idea that the 800 odd now detained
pending investigation or trial. who make
the same claim. are being subjected to
an undue hardship.
The truth is. Commissioned General
Sargent has solved John Chinaman's
little game. Like every other immigrant
seeking to evade the laws of the United
States. he comes thoroughly coached for
his part. He avoids seaport entry, and
announces his Intention OF settling in
anada once in n he walks bold
~ across the line. When arrested he
looks at his captors with an expression
Of childlike simplicity. and says;
Non-Committal Answers.
Il was born In the United States"
"Where?'
II don't know"
How long did you live here?'
II don't know"
"when did you go to Gilman"
Il don't know"
why did you go?"
81 don't know"
And so on. TO each and every question.
And. mind you. this conversation is car
ried on In Chinese-not a word OF Eng
fish does he know. AS General Sargent
says. would an Italian or Hungarian
immigrant be believed under the same
circumstances? Assuredly not.
But what happens IN the case OF the
Chinaman? He demands a hearing be-
fore a United States commissioner. IL
IS his right. and he has been properly
coached
He is not present at the hearing. but
a single Chinaman appears as a witnessl
and swears that An Sing or Wun Lung
or whatever his name may be. was born
In Chinatown, San Francisco. twenty
Ave years before. to his personal knowl-
edge. IT is estimated that every Chi
nese woman here at that period must
have had at least 800 children.
This detail also has been fixed before