Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-04
Secretary Metcalf Surprised
at Attitude Of the Cabinet.
ADMISSION OF CHINESE
WOULD INSIST UPON THE GER
TIFIcATE OF CONSULAR OFFICERS
Results Of Adhering to the Presidents
Circular Brought Out In
Full Discussion.

Strong protest will be made by secretary
Metcaf OF the Department Of Commerce
ana Labor against any modification by the
State Department Of the circular OF Juno
20 directing the American consuis in China
to personally inquire into the truth OF state
ments in Chinese certificates before viseing
them. The instructions referred to have
become known as 'the Presidents crcu-
lar" in that 1t was issued by his direction
following the boycott established by China
against the importation of American goods.
1t was the principal subject Of discussion
at yesterdays cabinet meeting, which Sec
rotary MetcaIf was unable to attend on ac-
count of Illness.
He expressed great surprise today upon
learning that in his absence the cabinet
members took the position that the regula-
lions Of the Department of Commerce and
Labor were responsible for the strained re-
lations between the two countries over the
subject Of the admission of the Chinese to
a greater degree than are the laws them
selves.
The Cabinet Discussion.
The consideration of complaints made by
the Chinese against the method Of execu-
ton of the existing Chinese exclusion laws
was fully discussed at yesterdays cabinet
meeting. The important fact developed was
allay the indignation of the Chinese by a
circular of instructions to the American
minister to China and consular officers
therein had in measure failed of its pur-
pose and required considerable amendment
to secure the object sought.
Minister Rockhill himself reported that
it had not been found possible to carry
out the instructions contained in the cir
cular without doing great injustice to
worthy Chinese and imposing burdens too
borne American
sus.
Being freshly back from the orient, Sec
rotary Taft took prominent part in the
discussion of this matter when 1t was
preached by Secretary Root and presented
some of the results of his observations on
his recent trip. 1t developed that the re-
Quirement that American eonsuls identify
the Chinese seeking certificates admitting
upon these officials beyond their ability.
Complaints of Chinese.
The Chinese applicant frequently came
from some place far distant from the
American consulate. and the consul was
consequently obliged to refuse to identify
as proper persons to be admitted to the
United States many very worthy Chinese,
which of course led to bitter complaint
and fostered the boycott feeling. Then a
Chinese merchant who desired to send his
son as a shop assistant to his branch store
In the United States, with view to ulti-
mately admitting the son to partnership,
found that the boy was barred on the
charge that he was coolfe.
Chinese living in the British and French
and Portuguese Asiatic colonies, being re-
ally citizens of those nations, did not see
why they could not be admitted to America
under the proper passports instead of being
required to produce the unpopular certif-
cate. These were only few of the COM
plants made against the administration Of
the existing exclusion law.
The trend of opinion in the cabinet meet
ing was that these complaints, after all.
were directed rather against the construc-
ton placed upon the law than against the
ton given in California to the term coolie,
SO 1t was practically decided that some i'm
portant changes in the present regulations
must be- made.