The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-17
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17. 1904.
A PETITION FROM CHINA.

The Advertiser is indebted to MT. Hampton c. DuBose. of Soochow. China, for a copy of the following petition sent to Secretary of State John Hay, at Washington:
 Honorable Sir-Being firmly convinc- ed of the superior advantages offered by the colleges and universities of the United States to students from China, and of the enlightening influence con- sequent upon a visit to our home land of men of wealth and influence, we citizens, of the United States of Ameri- ca resident in China, feel called upon respectfully to present this petition in behalf of the classes of Chinese mem toned above, who from time to time wish to visit our land.
 China as a nation feels most grateful to our government for the kindly in terest always shown toward her and the fair treatment always accorded her. And we may safely say that in any hour of distress or national calamity China looks with confidence to our gov ernment for aid and sympathy. Thus is shown on the part of the Chinese in- dividually and as a nation a decided tendency to turn to us for help. What are we doing to foster this good feel ing?
 Recently we have had our attention directed to the fact that the Chinese are very much humiliated by the treat ment accorded to bona fide students and travellers who wish to visit our coun- try. According to the present inter pretation of the exclusion act these desirable classes of Chinese are being forced more and more to turn their faces toward countries where they are accorded q welcome and do not meet with almost insurmountable obstacles.
 Are we to let other nations have the privilege of moulding the young life of China, and our nation say in actions mf desire your students in our institutions of learning, or your men of wealth and Influence to travel in our country"
 We in China, who stand for America with its high ideals. respectfully peti- tion that these obstacles be removed and that students and travellers be extended such a welcome to our shores as shall foster the desire of the Chinese to avail themselves of the superior ad- vantages offered by the institutions of our country
 This petition is signed by some 225 Americans. men and women, and ex- plains itself. Our relations with China are every year becoming more intimate and it certainly seems that the restrictions imposed by the Chinese Exclusion Act might be modified in the manner suggested. so that the bet ter class of Chinese who wish to visit tins country for study and observation should find no obstacles in their way Some restriction against the great mass of ignorant and vicious Chinese is un- doubtedly an absolute necessity for If our gates were thrown wide open the country would be flooded with horde of immigrants not only undesirable, but who would be an actual menace to the peace and well-being of the gov- ernment This exclusion should not apply to all. however. China has great men and scholars who visit the United States. and she also has am bilious and intelligent youths who would like to come here for the pur- pose of acquiring an education in American schools and colleges, and of informing themselves in all that re- lates to our civilization and govern ment. Certainly there could be no harm in admitting such as these, just as they are admitted to other coun- tries. The petition does not ask too much. in our opinion.