The San Francisco call., 1905-08-10
WI DISCUSSES
THE BOYCOTT
China Desires Better Treat
ment for Upper Classes
and Open Door in Hawaii
WILL PRESS THE ISSUE
Former Minister Declares
That He Is Not the Author
of the Recent Agitation

PEKIN, Aug. 9.-Wu Ting Fang, former
Chinese Minister at Washington, and now
vice president of the Chinese Board of
Foreign Affairs was interviewed this
afternoon in regard TO the proposed new
treaty with the United States He said
that the expiring convention was unsatis-
factory from the Chinese standpoint and
hence they desired its revision.
The Chinese Government, he said,
agreed TO the exclusion of coolies from
the United States and this point presented
no difficulty, but the existing regulations
pressed hard on other classes. For In
stance merchants and travellers, while
nominally free to enter the United States,
are forced to undergo an examination
which possibly is necessary, but which is
generally rendered very Objectionable on
account of the manner of its enforce
ment. For example. Chinese of the
superior class arriving at San Francisco
was detained by the authorities while
his credentials were being examined.
This detention frequently involves his
consorting with low class coolies in u
common shed He is thus unable to COM
municate with his friends and is sub
jected to inconvenience and indignities to
which the meanest American would re-
fuse TO submit.
Moreover. the Chinese is not allowed to
his interests and if the immigration au-
thorities decide adversely in his case
there is no appeal That these grievances
are well founded said WI, is demon
strated by President Roosevelts stringent
order that courtesy be shown the Chi
nese by the authorities under pain of dis
missal The Presidents action in the case
of the King family practically admits
the existence of real grievances, it was
argued.
HAWAII THE REAL ISSUE.
WI Ting Fang admitted that European
Immigrants were not allowed representa-
ton or appeal during their examination,
but rejected the argument because the
Chinese are treated in an entirely diff
ferent mannef He said that China agreed
to the exclusion of coolies but urged as
the main points of her contention that
the better class of Chinese be treated on
an equal footing with other aliens; be
given the right TO retain counsel, the
right to appeal If necessary; and that
coolies be admitted TO Hawaii. This last
he regarded as the most important. Ha-
waii. he saiG, requires laborers badly
and since the Chinese have been excluded
the Industries of the islands have suf-
fered. The Chinese he said, do not COM
pete with American labor, The Phillp-
pines have long been the natural field for
Chinese industry, said W. The appiica-
ton of the exclusion act to the philippines
bv General Otis was without Americas
prior approval and it Is generally admit
ted he believes it was uncalled for
SENTIMENT DEEP ROOTED.
Regarding the desirability of Chinese la
bcr in the Far East, WI Ting-Fang in
stanced the prosperity of Singapore He
greatly regretted the boycott against
American goods as it may possibly
estrange the good will of the Amerl-
cans, which is highly priced. Apparently,
however. the Chinese classes most con-
cerned, considering the prospects remote
for a solution of the difficulty, have de-
cided that a boycott is the only means
of ventllating the question. WI Ting
Fang pointed out that the boycott. though
thoroughly organized by the best and
most representative Chinese, was thor
oughly pacific and was not directed
against persons and property. He eX-
pressed surprise at the depth of feeling
manifested not only by the mercantile
classes, but by students and even wo-
men. This expression of public sentl-
n1ent indicates extraordinary progress in
the direction of growth of real national
ity.
He could only conjecture the results If
the boycott were disregarded by the
Americans. but considered the movement
most serious. He trusted that 1t would
soon be rendered superf1uous by sat
isfactory settlement of the complaint. He
ssid he had been credited with direct
ing the movement, but Indignantly repudl-
ated the suggestion. He suggested that
an educational test was the most effect
i've means to prevent the ingress OF