The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-08-31
EYADE EXCLUSION LAW
HoW WTHECHINESEBECOArEFU
 PLEDGED AMERICANS.

Bret Hartes opinion that "the heath en chinee is peculiar is shared by Commissioner General of Immigration Frank P. Sargent, who adds the postu- late that, when it comes to evading the Chinese exclusion laws, he is a most willy and resourceful customer.
 Perhaps there is no class of foreign CT about whom there is more popular apprehension. When, two months ago, China served notice, as was her right, abrogating tn existing treaty between her and the United States six months later, it was printed broadcast that the reason for dissatisfaction was the treatment of her merchants who came to~exhibit at the Louisiana purchase ex- position, in their detention for time at San Francisco. It was also stated in the newspapers that when the merchants were finally permitted to proceed to St. Louis, it was under bonds not to stop en route, leave the fair grounds while there, and to return to China within thirty days after the close of the fair. As a matter of fact no such restric- tions apply to Chinese merchants seek ing to make display of their goods. The only requirement. In such cases is the presentation of certificate setting forth that he is a merchant on such a mission. issued by the Chinese govern ment, and vised by the United States consular or diplomatic officer at the port of departure.
 This requirement was made clear to the Chinese government and our con- sular and diplomatic agents in China more than 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 immigra- ton authorities that their claims were bona fide the regulations were in every case waived, as matter of courtesy, and they were allowed to proceed.
 There is provision for $500 bonds to observe certain conditions and return to China at the close of the fair. This applies. however, to the laborers brought over by exhibitors to work for them. Its raison d'etre is obvious, if exclusion laws are to be enforced Even these can leave the grounds for forty-eight hours at time by applying to the proper officer for a pass.
 Another false impression is created by trials before United States commission ersers along the Canadian border, in which are heard the cases of Chinese arrested for being unlawfully within the United States. It, so happens that in a vast majority of these cases the ruling is in favor of the Chinaman. This gives the idea that the 300 odd now detained pending investigation or trial, who make the same claim, are being subjected to an undue hardship.
 The trut his, Commissioner General Sargent has solved John Chinaman's little game. Like every other immi- grant seeking to evade the laws of the United States, he comes thoroughly coached for his part. He avoids sea port entry and announces his inten- ton of settling in Canada. Once in Canada, he walks boldly across the line. hen arrested he looks at his cap tors with an expression of childlike sim plicity, and says:
 T was born in the United States"
 s'Wl1ere?n
 I don't known"
 How long did you live here?" I don't know"
 l When did you go to China?"
 II don't knowp
 Why did you go?"
 1T don't know"
 And so on, to each and every ques- ton. And mind you this conversation is carried on in Chinese-not word of English does he know. As General Ser gent says, would an Italian or Hunga- rian immigrant be believed under the same circumstances? Assuredly not.
 But what happens in the case of the Chinalnan? He demands hearing be- fore a United States commissioner. It is his right and he has been properly coached.
 He is not present at the hearing, but a single Chinaman appears as wit ness and swears that An Sing or Wun Lung or whatever his name may be was born in Chinatown, San Francisco twenty-one years before, to his personal Knowledge It is estimated that every Chinese woman here at that period must have at least 800 children.
 This detail also has been fixed before hand. The commissioner general has even ascertained the rate of cost at tached to the procedure of bringing a coolie from China and landing hin safely on American soil. It amounts to about $500 divided as follows: s2( for the perjured testimony, $20 com mission to the soliciting agent in China for securing the immigrant; $20 for in. terpreter's fees; $50 for the attorney and the balance for transportation ant the incidental expenses of the ring"
 On the strength of such testimony the records prove this-the Chinamar is discharged, not as an alien entitled to admission, but as a native of tht United States! Without ever having seen the United States he is turned loose with all the rights of citizenship to use them as his company of six may direct, when thetime shall arise when Chinese vote is important. AnG this to an alien who will remain so al heart should he live thousand years.
 In one feature is this programme va ried. Whenever he requests it, the sus pect is released on bail. Should he mee another Chinaman who wishes to re