The San Francisco call., 1905-06-15
President in Favor of Mere
Liberal Treatment for
Those Who Have a Right
TO Enter United States
INFORMS METCALF
OF HIS ATTITUDE
Secretary Wants Legislation
Providing for Inspection
of Certificates in China
TO Put an End to Frauds
Special Dispatch to The CAN.

CALL BUREAU, POST BUILDING,
WASHINGTON, June 14.-Prcsiient
Roosevelt has sent 10 Secretary Net
calf of tho Department of Commerce
and labor note expressing disap-
proVal Of fsie treatment Of Chinese who
have a right TO enter this country de-
spite the exclusion laws. The PreSi-
dent is safe TO have requested his Cab
i8et officer SO see that the ofTcase to
Chinese merchants and students be not
repeated.
The secretary of the Chinese -Iega-
tiOn has been subjected to indignities
at a Texas port Other cases have
been cited. The Boston episode has
stirred the President to action.
Secretary Metcaf defends the posi-
tion taken by the immigration officers
on the ground that they are simply
following the letter of the law and that
there is left no alternative.
The questions Of Asiatic exclusion
are recognized here TO have become Sc
rious enough for investigation by the
Government. Those opposed to modi-
fication Of the treaty as enacted in 1884
say that a modification would mean an
other race question on the Pacific Coast
that would be difficult Of solving. Not
only viii the Far West be against TAX
ing down the bars to Chinese, but its
people viii be for the exclusion of the
japanese.
The Chinese and japanese recognize
this and their representatives here are
practically Of one mind on the subject
OF the exclusion of their people.
METCALFsS POSITION.
Secretary Metcalf did not care to dis
cuss the question Of Chinese exclusion,
saying that he knows nothing of any
differences arising from the acts of offi-
fa1 f-, hi ~
jurisdiction Nevertheless. it is known
that while the President is inclined TO
uphold the immigration office. it is his de-
sire that it should use more discretion in
dealing with .Asiatics who have right
10 enter
Secretary Metcalf is defending his posi-
tion by saying that he has always endeav-
ored TO protect the country from an inva-
sion Of Chinese He is not responsible
for the exclusion laws. but must enforce
them so far as lies in his power defined
b. the United States statutes
Some Eastern papers will go so FAR to-
morrow morning as to declare that Secre-
tary Metcalf has received s severe repri-
mand from the President but the chief
executives note merely calls attention 10
the protest Of the Chinese students and
travellers" and requests that something
be done for them, if il be shown that they
have been subjeced TO indignities.
The complaints Of the Chinese Govern
ment about the alleged humiliation to
which members OF the exempt classes OF
Chinese often are subjected upon their
arrival IN the United States, together with
the threats-of the commercial guilds Of
China to retaliate by boycotting American
made goods. have aroused the business
men Of this country TO protest against
what they regard as unreasonable dis
elimination in the enforcement of the
Chinese exclusion laws.
MANY BOGUS CERTIFICATES.
1t is pointed cut that great difficulty is
experienced by the immigration officials
in executing the law. because Of the
many bogus certificates which are pre-
sented by Chinese. 1t is a well under
stood fact that for g consideration Chi
nese coolie may procure in China GER
tiicate that he is a merchant or trav-
eler or a member OF the other exempt
classes. On its face the certificate en-
titles him to admission to the United
States. So many frauds have been dis
covered in the matter of these certificates
that the immigration officials examine
all Of them most carefully. That fact ac-
counts for the trouble experienced by
genuine merchants and travellers when
they arrive at United States ports.
Thus far no feasible plan has been
worked out to remedy the trouble. Of
which the Chinese complain. Secretary
Metcalf is in favor of Congressional leg
islation on the subject, providing for a
rigid supervision Of the issuance of GER
tificates in China, the idea being to hold
absolutely responsible for the accuracy
Of the statements contained in the certih-
Gates the officials who issue them.
SCRANTON. Pa, June H.-At the
third days session of the executive coun-
ell Of the American Federation of Labor
here to-day President Gompers, Vice
President O'Conneu and Secretary Nor
rison were appointed committee to wait
upon President Roosevelt to present to
him the subject of Chinese exclusion and
other matters affecting the interests of
labor.