The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-26
More Courteous Treatment Of
Exempt Glasses Of the Chinese
PRES. ROOSEVELT HAS" ACTB
U. S. REPRESENTATIVES In China Instructed
TO Use Greatest Care With Papers Of
Exempt Glasses Coming Over Here.

Washington, June 26.-By direction OF
President Roosevelt, action has been
taken by the administration which will
not only facilitate the landing in this
country OF Chinese OF the exempt classes
but also will eliminate from the immigra-
ton bureau such administrative features
as have been the subject OF criticism py
Chinese.
1t is the declared intention OF the presi-
dent to see that Chinese merchants. trav-
elers. students and others OF the exempt
class shall have the same courtesy shown
them by officers OF the immigration bu-
reau as Is accorded TO citizens OF the most
favored nation.
Representations have been made to the
president that In view OF alleged harsh
treatment accorded to many Chinese seek
ing a landing in the United States. the
commercial guilds OF China have deter
mined 10 institute boycott on American
manufactures.
The representations. backed by the au-
thorty OF the American Asiatic society
and commercial bodies throughout the
country, induced the president to make an
investigation OF the situation.
The subject was discussed thoroughly
by the cabinet. and the president took II
UP personally with Secretary Metcalf OF
the department OF commerce and labor.
who has supervision OF the immigration
bureau.
NEW ORDERS ISSUED.
AS a result OF the inquiry orders have
been issued 10 the diplomatic and consular
representatives OF the United States in
China. by the President himself that they
must look closely TO the performance OF
their duties under the exclusion law and
see 10 II that members OF the exempt
classes coming TO this country are provid-
ed with proper certificates.
These certificates will be accepted at
any port OF the United States and will
guarantee the bearer against any harsh or
discourteous treatment. Such treatment,
indeed, will be the cause OF the instant
dismissal OF the offending official who
ever he may be
In addition 10 the presidents orders.
Secretary Metcalf has issued instructions
TO the immigration officers which. IL is
believed, will remedy the difficulty hereto
fore complained OF by the Chinese gov
ernment and individuals
II is anticipated that the prompt action
taken by this government 10 meet the OBJ
jections made by the Chinese will elinn-
ate the possibility of serious trade diff
culties between China and the manufac-
tnres- of this country. y.-
The text OF the official correspondence
and orders on the subject was made pub
lie yesterday. by authority OF President
Roosevelt. The presindent's orders 10 the
diplomatic and consular officers OF this
country in China were transmitted
through the state department, and are as
follows:
TEXT OF CIRCULAR
The White House
Washington. June "a 1905.
ITO the Acting Secretary of State:
THE state department will Immediately
issue a circular to all our diplomatic and
consular con. REPRESENTATIVES in China, set
ting forth the following facts and stating
that II Is ISSUED by direct order OF the
president:
Under the laws OF the United States.
and In accordance with the spirit OF the
treaties negotiated between the United
States and China, all Chinese OF the
coolie or laboring classes. that is. all
absolutely prohibited from coming to the
United States: but II is the purpose OF
the government of the United States 10
show the widest and heartiest courtesy
toward all merchants teachers. students
and travellers who may come to the
United States. as we'll as toward all
Chinese officials or representatives. In any
'All individuals OF these classes are
allowed to come and go Of their own free
will and accord and are TO be given
all the rights. privileges, immunities and
subjects OF the most favored nation. The
president has issued special instructions
labor and while laborers must be
strictly excluded the law must be en-
forced without harshness and that all
unnecessary inconvenience and annoy
ance toward those persons entitled 10
enter the United States must be scru-
pulously avoided.
"The officials OF the immigration de.
partment have been told that no harsh
ness in the administration Of the law
will for a moment be tolerated and that
any discourtesy shown to Chinese per-
sons by any official OF the government
will be cause for immediate dismissal
ASm the service.
OF REAL VALUE.
THE status OF those Chinese entitled
freely TO enter the United States is prirna-
rily determined by the certificate pro-
vided for under section OF the act OF
july 5, 1854.
Under this law the diplomatic and
consular representatives OF the United
States have by direction OF the president
been instructed before vizing any certifi-
cate strictly to comply with the require
ments OF that portion Of section which
provides as follows:
And such diplomatic representatives
or consular representatives whose In
dorsement Is so required Is hereby en-
powered and II shall be his duty. before
indorsing certificates as aforesaid TO ex-
anime into the truth OF the statements
set forth I'm said certificates. and II he
shall find upon examination that said or
any OF the statements therein contained
are untrue. IL shall be his duty TO refuse
10 ndorse the same
THE certificate thus vized becomes
prima facie evidence OF the facts set forth
therein. The immigration officials have
now been specifically instructed to accept
this certificate. which IL not to be upset
doing.
Unfortunately. In the past II has been
found that officials OF the Chinese gov
ernment have recklessly issued thousands
or such certificates which were not'true.
and recklessness has also been shown In
tho past by representatives OF the Ameri-
can consular service in VIKING these GER