The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1905-10-05
CHINA OCCUPIES
TIME or CABINET
PRESIDENT AND ADVISERS HOLD
LONG SESSION.
soycoTT QUESTION is UP
Fact Disclosed That Mr.. Rooseveit's
Recent Effort 70 Aiiay Indigna-
tion Of Chinese Failed Of
It's Purpose.

Washington, Oct. 4.--The most inter.
esting subjects discussed at the cabinet
meeting Tuesday were first, the Chinese
boycott against American goods, and
second, the consideration OF complaints
made by the Chinese against the method
OF execution Of the existing Chinese
exclusion laws. The important fact de-
ycloped was that the presidents effort
last summer 10 allay the indignation OF
the Chinese BY circular OF Instructions
TO the American minister TO China and
consular officers therein, had in q
measure failed OF It's purpose and re-
quired considerable amendment to Sc
cure the object sought. Minister Rock
hill himself reported that Il had not
been found possible To carry out the In
sfructiong contained IN the circular
without doing great injustice 70 worthy
Chinese and imposing burdens too
heavy 70 be borne upon the American
consuls
Taft Gives his Observations.
Being freshly from the orient, Secre-
tary Taft took prominent part IN the
discussion N this matter when It was
broached BY Secretary Root and 1r>-
sented some Of the reeults of bis obserya-
tions on his recent trip II devel-
oDed that the requirement that Amer
lean consuIs Identity the Chinese seek
ing certificates admitting them 10
American ports imposed task upon
these officials beyond their ability. The
Chinese applicant frequently came from
some place far distant from the Amer
lean consulate and the consul was con-
sequentiy Obliged 10 refuse 10 ioentify
~ proper persons 10 ~ admitted 10 the
United states many worthy Chinese
which of course led 70 bitter complaint
and fostered the boycott feeling. Then
Chinese merchant who desired 10 send
bis son an shop assistant 10 his
branch store In The United states witha
view 10 ultimately admitting the son 10
partnership. found that the hoy was
barred on the charge that he was a
fooliG Chinese living 81 the British aEA
French ard P6rtng6 a ate colonies.
being really citizens of these nations,
dld not see why they could not be adj
mitted 10 America under proper pass
PORTS instead of being required 10 pro-
duce the unpopular certificate.
A Long Session.
These were only a few Of the com
plants made against the admlnistration
OF the existing exclusion law. The
trend Of the opinion In the cabinet meet
Ing was that these complaints after All
we're directed rather against the con-
strucfion upon the law than against the
act itself, and especially against the
definition given IN California 10 the
term 'tcooile," 80 II was practically do
clded that some important changes In
The present regulations must be made.
This session was the FIRST regular meet
ing Of the cabinet held for some months,
and II was one Of The longest held DUR
ing the administration OF President
Roosevelt II was attended by ali Of
the members Of the cabinet except Sec
retagy Shaw, who IL absent from the
city, and Secretary MetcaIf, who r. III,
Mostofthe time Of the meeting was occu-
pied BY the president and Secretary
Root and Secretary Taft and Attorney
General Moody. Mr.. Moody took 10
with the preAdent two or three appoint.
ment6, which were decided upon, bur
their announcement withheld pending
ecceptances. He also discussed the
status Of the beef trust cases. which are
being pressed BY the department OF
Justice.