Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-14
THE CHINESE BOYCOTT.


President Roosevelt proposes to give
close attention to the question of ad
ministration OF the Chinese exclusion
law. which has caused the commercial
guilds of the Celestial Kingdom tC
threaten a boycott against American
goods af.er August l. The protest made
a day or two ago by members of the
American Asiatic Association, represent
ing the cotton manufacturing industry
OF this country, which fears its cotton
goods traffic with China of $27, 600, O0C
a year will be injured, has had great ef-
feet in Washington. 1t is realized by
some officials of the State Department
that the United States is dealing with a
reawakened and vigorous China and that
the ban pronounced by the great guilds
is a serious menace to American trade.
At the Chinese Legation in Washing
ton it is stated that the guilds at Shan
ghai have petitioned the Foreign Office
at Pekiug not TO authorize the signature
of the immigration treaty with the
United States unless some provision Is
made for more lenient treatment OF the
so-called exempt classes--merchants,
students, travellers and officials. The
Chinese Minister, Sir Chentung Liang
Chem, has already declined to sign the
treaty which was drawn in Washing
ton to take the place of the treaty which
expired by limitation last December.
The State Department is without ex-
teusive advices of this threatened boy
colt. Several weeks ago the American
Consul at Shanghai cabled that the
guilds had threatened boycott. With
the more detailed information the de-
partment received came from the Ameri-
can Asiatic Association this cablegram,
received May l6, from the American AS
sociatiOn of China:
"Chinese chambers of commerce, gen.
try and guilds advise people of the whole
empire, after August !, to boycott all
American schools, business goods, pro-
ducts and ships unless the exclusion
treaty guarantees equitable treatment TO
travellers, students and merchants enter
ing the United States. The association
recommends Washington's earnest con-
sidera.iOn. "
Mr.. w. w. RockhilI, American Min
lister to China, on his way to Peking,
cabled the State Department that this
was not so serious matter. Members I
the Asiatic Association who were in
Washington Monday said they believe
Mr.. Rockhill has by this time learned
differently and that his efforts to induce
the Chinese government to Immediate
" conclude an immigration treaty will
be blocked unless there is assurance
given. not that the bars will be let down
for the admission to the United States OF
undesirable coolies, but that the exempt
classes be allowed TO come into the United
States without humiliating restrictions
and surveillance.
President Roosevelt brought the sub
iect before the eCabinet meeting yesterday.
Secretary Metcalf pointed out the impor.
tance of the question. 1t is recognized
as question which will prove OF great
popular interest in the United States.
Talk of dieting down the bars" is like
red rag to the labor unions. The
Pacific Coast feels deeply on the subject
also, but the cotton manufacturing inter
ests, as we'll as other commercial inter
ests which have found profit in an in
creasing Oriental trade since the "open-
door" policy was initiated, are as firmly
resolved to stand for their rights.
Mr.. Sargent, COmmissioner-General OF
immigration, is now on trip to San
Francisco and Honolulu in Connection
with immigration.