The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-07-07
FAIR TREATMENT
FOR TUE CHINESE
Honolulu, July Z, 1905.


Editor Advertiser: In their rela-
tions to the American government, all
the Chinese ask, is for fair treatment.
And it is to the highest and best in
terests of the United States that the
Chinese should be so treated. For many
years China has looked upon America
as true friend to her country. Will
the coming treaty be SO framed as to
prove that she is indeed real friend
If so, America may reap advantages in
the Pacific trade, and the development
of China great wealth, that will sur
pass those of any other nation. Are
we to lose all this oy continuing laws
that are unamerican, unnecessary and
unproftable2
The feeling of the Chinese, not only
at the coast ports, but far in the in
terror of China is becoming bitter to-
ward America. And the exclusion laws
will more and more create only feel
ing of antagonism for everything
American, if, as in the past, the laws
are made and carried out, without re-
gard to humanity and justice. When
by the laws Of so-called Christian ma
tion, wife may not join her husband,
or husband come to his family, it
must make the thoughtful Chinese feel
that he had better consider well, all
his relations to such country. In
case where Chinaman was prohibit
ed from returning to his wife and child
land business in the United States, At
torney- General Knox, in his opinion
furnished, Feb. IL, 1902, said: ~
must find that under the peculiar ma
ture and language of these laws, it, is
not possible to recognize the appeal to
considerations of elementary justice
and humanity (even if well-founded),
or to bring the case within the scope
Of an act Of executive clemency. The
Chinese exclusion laws are necessarily
Vigorous, and of the highest degree of
technicality, and do not permit the i'm
position of maxims of equity" Is this
fair treatment to the Chinesef Should
not an American law, in which 1t Is
'not possible to recognize considera-
lions of elementary justice and human
lity" be changedi
On the steamer on which I sailed to
China, few months ago, was China
man, who jumped overheard and end
ed his life in the deep Pacific Ocean.
Why was it, This Chinese had livea
and worked in Am 'rica. He returned
on visit to China. He wished to go
back again to his work in the United
States. With what money he had left
| he bought his ticket. He had his
papers. After some delays in Hong.
kong, medical examinations, and other
unpleasant things, like being fumigated
with sulphur, (passipg through hell the
Chinese sometimes call it), he was pass.
ed, and startea on his long voyage over
the Pacific, with hopes of life. liberty
and work in America. At San Fran.
cisco, he was detained, some little point
in his papers not being just right, per.
haps the delays in Hongkong had made
it few days over the time limit. And
because the exclusion laws are "vigor
us and of the highest degree of tech
nicality," he could not enter, wal
ordered to be sent back. Without
. money, not allowed to see his old
, friends, not permitted to go and take
|, lup his old work, he was discouraged
and so ended his life in the deer
ocean.
This is but one case, of hardships
suffering and injustice, among many
others. Are we treating the Chinese
fairy Can good Americans stand fol-
such lawf Because Of chiefly for
eign laborer vote in California, shall
America loose the friendship of China
) and millions of dollars in Orienta
tradef The Chinese are the best la
borers, they have been the great fac
tors in the development of Hawaii, ant
of the West. They have opened oul
mines and built our railroads. They
: are still needed in large numbers botl
here and in the West, on plantation
: in the rice fields, and the fruit OF
chards. They bring more wealth thar
they take away. They are entitled Il
the treatment accorded to the most fav
ored nation. If the friendship Of tn,
/ Chinese is lost now it may be hard Il
regain it. During recent travels
through Southern China, the cry OF