Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-12

ship and unjust treatment which had been
imposed by over-zealous American officials
on the immigration of Chinese of the ex-
sempt classes had SO worked on the feelings
of the Chinese nation that the regrettabie
boycott had followed.
+. Sir Chen Tung was heard with the greatest
interest by the large number OF business
men who were around the banquet board,
and his address was loudly applauded.
Charles H. Waeker president-of the Mer-
chants Club. presided and introduced the
Chinese minister.
Sir Cheng Tung Liang Chang. spoke of
The Commercial Possibilities Between the
Two Countries" He said in part:
From the earliest intercourse of the
United States with China, the relation be-
tween our two countries have been of the
friendliest character. The constant policy
of your government in regard to the affairs
of the far east has been one of conspicu-
Gus magnanimity and justice. The Chinese
as a government, therefore; are under a
deep sense of gratitude, and, as people,
are naturally most friendly inclined toward
the government and the people of the
United States
"As China is brought more and more
closely in contact with foreign countries as
the people come to learn the necessities.
the conveniences and the comforts enjoyed
by the people of other lands, by travel,
by education and by long residence abroad,
her demand for foreign commodities will be
largely increased China is not, to a great
extent, manufacturing nor is SHe
likely to be in the near future. Her peo-
pie are too easily satisfied with what they
can readily purchase in the worlds markets.
Nor are her people, who have enjoyed art,
culture refinement for centuries disin-
clned to modern luxuries and convent
enceS.
The Present Foreign Trade.
The present foreign trade in the an
cient empire is chiefly confined to the coast
provinces 1t is anticipated that the aboli-
tion of the likin tax, as provided in the re-
cent commercial treaties, when fully car
ried out, will forever destroy that formid-
able barrier to Internal commerce, SO long
deplored by merchants, both foreign and
native alike. When her immense natural
resources shall have been developed, her
purchasing power will indeed be greatly
increased.
at is this commercial growth I long to
see established between the two countries,
and 1t has been my pleasure, as well as
my duty, to smooth all differences which
might threaten its complete realization.
But there Is one difference now engag-
ing the serious attention of the two gov
ernments which ] may be pardoned for
bringing to your notice. The exclusion
question and the administration of the ex-
clusion laws are matters which seem to
have engaged little of the consideration
of the American people, but they are mat
ters of vital Importance to the Chinese
ulrectiy concerned. Alter RECEIVING most
sacred assurances that the restriction
should be reasonable and not absolute
prohibition the Chinese government gave
consent to the American governments de-
mands, having good reason to believe that
the question would be handled with due
leniency and that the American people
would not take advantage of their good
nature.
Americas Evident Object
"It is evident that the object of the
American government was to secure and
the consent of the Chinese government was
given to, the prohibition of Chinese labor
ers only, and no other class. During more
than a score of years of restriction and
prohibition abuses have sprung up on both
sides. Prior to the Presidents order of last
June these abuses had so stirred up the
feelings of the Chinese people that the
boycott against American goods was the
regrettable consequence
In compliance with the wishes of the
American government the Chinese govern
ment has issued an imperial decree warm
ing the people to respect every treaty stiu-
ulation under penalty of severe punish
nlent and urging them to suppress the
boycott, pending action of Congress to re-
lieve the situation; and the provincial au-
thorities have issued sim lar proclama-
tens. The Chinese government, while view
ing with concern the exclusion of Chinese
laborers under undue discrimination is,
nevertheless, not unwilling to take into
consideration the condition of things al
legged to exist in this country.
The Exclusion of Chinese.
But, aside from the labor.ng class, all
other classes should be admitted and
5hould receive the same treatment as is