New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-25
CHINESE EXCLUSION.
Menace to Orr Trade in Far East
Vie1rs of Charles StezCart Smith

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In the autumn Of 1892 was In japan
At Toxic 7 received n visit from the ambassa-
dor from China Lord Ii Csince deceased. son OF
Ii Hung Chang. Lord Ii was an imposing per-
sonality Of great intelligence and cultivation
evidently a man of the world. He spoks fault
less English and equally conversant with
French and German. Lord Ii opened ths con-
versation by asking II I were the author OF an
article recently published in The North Arneri-
can Review which took strenuous grounds
against the United States exclusion acts and
quoted the resolutions of the Chamber Of Cum
merce declaring these acts to be IN fragrant
violation Of our treaty with the great and
friendly Empire Of China. with which the nsr-
chants Of our country very anxious to
maintain and increase commercial relations.
Lord Ii expressed his appreciation OF the ar
ticle and was highly complimentary to the 40
ton Of the Chamber Of Commerce. asked per-
mission TO publish his views IN the interest Of
commerce between his nation and the United
| States to which he replied: II am IN tfss dfplo-
matte service. and will speak unreservedy upon
the condition that you shall wait five years be-
| fore making my views public" 10 which as
| sented He then said: The Chinese govern
| ment gave the greatest possible expression Of
| their confidence In the American people when
/ they selected Arson Burlingams. American
| citizen. then United States Minister 70 China,
/ and clothed him with full power to make
| treaties Of amity and commerce with the United
| States and the European powers The choice OF
/ Mr. BurIiuzae.e was made after considering the
| claims of OTHER natfonalities to whom their am
| bassador was to be accredited Referring to
| Chinese emigration. Lord Ii stated that Mr.
| Burlingams officially represented 70 the Chinese
/ government that Observation-Disclosures IN par
| ticular-was in great need Of cheap labor, and
requested the Chinese government 10 encourages
the emigration Of their surplus labor TO the Pa
| ciac Coast; that there had never been more than
| about one hundred thousand Chinese IN ths
| United States, and he added. with slight touch
| of sarcasm that the seventy millions Of Amer
/ leans had little to fear from the hundred
| thousand OF so-caIled "heathen." He character
tied our Chinese exclusion act as insulting TO
| proud nation. and said 10 had greatly wounded
the sensibility Of governmental circles IN China
I fnduired with some apprehension Il his gov
eminent proposed retaliatory action toward
/ American visitors and American merchandise. 70
which he replied: My government knows how
| TO wait I am Of the opinion that the consfd-
| crate Judgment OF the American nation VIII be-
| fore long remedy this injustice and the msr-
/ chants Of your country should insist upon such
/ action on the part Of your Congress" he con-
/ tinued: "a simple request from the American
/ TO the Chinese government to prohibit further
| emigration OF Chinese labOrers would have re-
/ ceived q favorable response from my govern
/ ment- The exclusion acts, so offensive to Us.
were rushed through the American Congress
| without waiting to give my governments time to
/ send an official to Washington 70 explain the
| Chinese position respecting these laws. which
| related only to Chinese subjects"
| The United States has been IN recent years
| making extraordinary efforts. through the
| splendid diplomacy Of Secretary Hay. 20 place
| the corlmercs OF this country IN a position TO
| compete with Europe for the supremacy OK trade
/ with the Orient. It Is historically true that ths
nation which for the time being has largely con-
| trollsd the commerce with the Orient has be-
come the first commercial nation OF the world.
This IS true Of England to-day: It was trus OF
| Venice IN the past.
| The Panama Canal f. now an American pos
/ session It's completion. II we are wise, VIII
give US opportunity, never before offered 8
nation since the time Of Columbus to control TIE
| trade with the Far East The enforcement Of
the Chinese exclusion acts and the methods Of
their operation win in the long run parslyzs eur
Oriental commerce.
| hope your readers VIII carefully study an ar
| ticIe in the March number Of The North Amer
| ican Review" entitled "a Menace TO Americas
| Trade IN the Far East" For the sake Of orsvtty
/ forbear TO quote IN fun the extraordinary reg
| ulations issued by our Commissioner General Of
| Immigration and approved by the Secretary OK
| Commerce. They are given in extenso In the
/ article above referred TO. These star chamber
| proceedings are a travesty upon justics and fair
| play and an absolute violation OF the 0oicsn
| Rule. No harsher measure could be devised
/ against criminals OF any kind I have found
| nothing more severe IN any record Of Russia's
| conduct toward Siberian exiles and her Grim
/ inals For example. the physical examination
Of the person Of the immigrant and the applica-
ton Of the BertIllon system. procedure adopted
| only in case Of criminals IN any country. am
/ unable to see how any self-respecting China1nan
can come to the St. Louis Exposition The rules
| and regulations regarding that exposition pFac-
/ tically rnaks him ticket OF leave" man Il ne
| wants to leave the grounds temporarily. Is &c
| possible that members OF Congress havs read
| these rules and rsgulations7 Il concerns the
| dignity OF Congress that an inquiry should %
| made into the whole question
| CHARLES STEWART SMITH
| New-Tort. April %. 1904.