The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-20
WOULD DIE IN AMERICA
MONTGOMERY CHINAMAN WILL NOT
 BE DEP0RTED.
Frank Lee Says He Was Born in San Francisco and Prefers Death to
 Banishpaent to East.

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 T am an American citizen; will not go to China: will not eat; will die." In these laconic sentences Frank Lee, concluded a remerkable story, a story which may have a tragic ending if the machinery of this government finds that Lee has violated the Chinese exclusion act and he Is condemned to be deported to the Far East.
 Lee told the prosaic history of his life to United States Commissioner John A. Fillmore after he had been arrested in the laundry of Sam Lee at 106 North Court Street by Major A. J. You of Mobile. Immigration Inspector for Ala bama and Georgia. The story was narrated in Pidgin- English and although his language was imperfect his meaning and his manner were none the less sincere. Inspector You had sworn out warrant charging Lee with being in this country without a regis tration certificate. Lee claims that he was born in the United States and has never been outside of the United States. He asked naiveiy if he was to be pro- secuted for being a good American. Briefly chropicled the history of Frank Lee is about as follows accord ing to his statement. He was born in San Francisco twenty -four years ago. When he was six years old his father and mother returned to China leaving him in charge of his uncle. This uncle took him to Chicago where he remained until he was years old. Then the uncle went back China leav- ing the lad to shift for himself He went to Pittsburg where he secured position as clerk in Chinese store. He was ambitious and he picked up a fairly good education In his travels. Some time ago he came to Montgomery to visit his kinsman, Sam Lee.
 But you must get you lawyer and prove these things, Frank" said Com- missioner Elmore kindly, explaining that under the act of Congress the burden of proof rested upon the China man without a registration certificate.
 T will not spend a cent" said the young Chinaman blandly T am an American citizen"
 Suppose I send you to China, what then?" asked the Commissioner.
 q will not go China: know nothing of China; China knows nothing of me; will not eat, I wil die"
 Do you mean you would kill your self before you would leave American queried the Commissioner with in- terest.
 If I do not eat will die and I will not eat" replied the Chinaman dispas- sionately, almost stoically. T am an American"
 Lee appeared in the Commissioners court nattiy dressed. He wore a fashionable suit of clothes. neglige shirt, turnover collar, Windsor necktie, leather belt and a Panama hat. He was desperately in earnest declaring more than once that if the decision was against him he would refuse to eat another morsel until death ended his existence
 The Chinese youth made bond for his appearance before Commissioner El- more at 10 o'clock this morning when two other cases of a similar nature. those against Chung Hi and Joe Get, are to be heard.
 Commissioner Elmore said that ample time would be given Frank Lee to prove his statements as to birth in this country. It was doubtful, however, he said, if the proof could be secured as the records of Chinese in this country are imperfect in all cities.
 United States Commissioners have final Jurisdiction in eases brought under the Chinese exclusion act although ap- peals lie to the higher courts from their decisions.
 Inspector You has been in and about Montgomery some time Investigating the status of Chinese here. Chung HI and Joe Get were arrested by him several weeks ago while working in a laundry at 10 North Perry Street. They have been allowed time to prepare their defense which will be made at the trial of their cases before the Commissioner this morning.
 Chung Hi claims that he came to this country as a student and Joe Get will plead that he was brought to America as child by his father, Chinese mer- chant.
 Chung Hi and Joe Get have employed counsel, but Frank Lee says he has no defense to make. He professes loyalty to the government of President Roose- welt and makes his position so clear that it cannot be misunderstood.
 'Tf you banish me from my country" he says in substance, T will die like an American citizen. albeit choosing a Chinese method. I will not eat and death will come to me-"