New-York tribune., 1905-06-25
FEAR CHINESE BOYCOTT.
Portland Merchants Urge Pres'dent
tn Take action.
rw,ou THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

-, T,,a o4-Tbe question OF Chi
nese exclusion and the threatened ooSoo'e
American goods by China is the occasioi
some anxiety TO the administration II Is We"
annreciated that the spread of the sehtiiiieh' -
china that the United States is unjust 10 Ciiii,a
rne, of the better class might undo the sp'eiioo
work of Secretary Hay incultvafins 'he iriehu
shin of the Celestial Empire oy staiiu.ns ta-'
for China's administrative entity anu iii'i'' 'No
on the open door policy in the Orient
II IS not believed that the policy OF e1chioins
,oo,,e labor would work serious harm, but II is
.,,rec,ated that drastic methods of enforcing
.ba. law. which may result In subjectfng to
tndisnsties Chinese merchants Of the better
classes and Chinese students. who are parflcu-
larry courteous and cerenonfous. VIII neces-
sariiy be accompanied by perils to the prestige
of the United States in its commercial relations
with nation which appears to be at the door
OF an epoch Of great development.
II will be only with great difficulty that the
administration can devise effective methods Of
enforcing the present law without the modihca-
ton by Congress OF certain Of its provisions
but that the administration is aware of the
danger accompanying too harsh methods OF
dealing with the better class of Cinnamon Is
obvtouS
It is further appreciated that the very pur-
pose for which the law was enacted would be
defeated were the sentiment peremitted 10 take
root In the Celestial mind that this country WAS
disposed to be unfair or inconsiderape IN i's
dealings with Cinnamon Of the better ciass'
While the protection OF American LABOR from
,1ndu. competition is the chief purpose OF the
law the curtaiIrnent OF the market for AIneri-
osn exports would almost as certainly result 10
IN. injury of American workmen, and IT is De-
tvsen the two courses. Of undue harshness oh
The one hand and undue liberalfty on the otheF'
,ho4 ,ha administration must shape Its course.
r,,e President to-day received a communica-
tion from, the Chamber of Commerce or PORT
land Ore which is regarded here as hishiy
esenfAcant. and It would occasion no surprise II
80 Iatters of this type were to reach the
white House In the near future
THE letter received to-day is as follo"s'
Portland. Ore. June g. 1906
The President washington: e,,,,,,
sTfa Portland Chamber of Commerce respeotnulty. p.
y oI,ntr1s relations with China. the flrst con-
"a being a regard for the natlonS loIlots
which demands faithful and far 1c;at al
tnsaraete are seriously threatened by the severe
,nannar In which our present laws regulating Ine
admission Of the Chinese INTO tgsi tiS ynorking to
contraI-eTe treaty obligations we earnestly 4SC-
Commend that a liberal interpretation OF Ine
laws be enjoined upon the lrnfllsrdI
srd mean time the announcement OF the appoint
n,ent by your excellency OF a commission 20 N
uirs into to sr s penforeent With Instructions
recommend to Congress such leglslat.on as shti
lions would have a beneficial effect. We ad
vised to-day by cable from Hong Kong that tTnrne
diate action is necessary by our government, or
PORTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
By William D. Wheelwright, President.