The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-09
RAPS EXCLUSION
SECRETARY STRAUS WANTS
LAW REVISED.
Commerce Chiefs Report Favorine
orientals Expected to Arouse
Westerners' Ire.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 9.-The annwlI
report of Oscar S. Straus. Secretary az
Commerce and Labor, makes recommended
tions of legislation in the matter OF the
immigration of orientals which ia cascl-
lated to arouse expression from the Far
Western delegation IN Congress. Though
he does not specifically mention the Jap
anese by name. Secretary Straus intimateS
that in some places restriction mey work
a hardship and he comes out strongly FIR
a revision Of the Chinese exclusion laws.
Mr.. Straus states broadly that in his be.
lief a hard and fast rule OF exclusion can
not be construed fairly in all the insuiar
possessions of the United States.
ALREADY Congress has distinguished to
some extent between the continental and
possessions in the regulation OF
Oriental immigration. says the Secretary,
but a further differentiation in this regard
not only be WISE, but would NC
initiate against the continued enforcement
OF present restrictions on the mainland.
Says the Secretary:
THESE outlying possessions not only differ
from the body Of the continental territory
as to their position and needs w1th regard
to labor ard immigration. but they differ
likewise among themselves. II is not TO be
expected, therefore, that a particular poll
cy of restriction in the matter of immigra-
ton, expressly designed to meet the situa-
ton on the mainland, should be perfectly
adapted to the needs of insular commune
ties. Each of these communities has its
own industrial problems to solve, and the
conditions in each should be considered De-
fore it is brought within the oper alton OF
a general rule. The need of differentiation
in the regulation of immigration I believe
to be obvious for the reasons stated"
a. IL us-..- -T--.-
Secretary Straus takes a more definite
stand. China has chafed under our present
exclusion laws, and particularly under the
way they are administered, for many years.
says the secretary, and her resentment led
to the boycott. which was more potent as
an index of what the Chinese might really
do than as a blow to our trade In itself.
The drop in our exports TO China between
the years 1905 and 1907 has been just 80
per cent; part of this is explained by the
boycott, and in part 1t represents the over
loading by the Chinese in anticipation OF
the close of the Russo-Japanese war.
"A more opportune moment than the
present can hardly be desired" says the
Secretary, for reaching a better under
standing with China on the subject OF
Chinese immigration and for adjusting our
policy In this. regard to the demands or
justice and equality"
Ani. 0ldAE lint ~ NAf@1(
policy OF excluding laborers of the Chinese
race, either skilled or unskilled, is not sug-
eested by his statement. Yet so rigtdly
has the exclusion law been enforced that
only about 10000 Chinese, less than one
tenth of / per cent. of the total population
of the country. are at present In the coun-
try. Only S5 Chinese were admitted to the
country during the past fiscal year. rms
would seem to indicate tnat the Chlhsse
are hardly a meDace.
In advocating a change In the present
provisions for executing the Chinese ex-
cIusion laws, Secretary Straus says:
'As the laws are framed it would appear
that the purpose was rigidly to exclude
persons of the Chinese race In general
and TO admit only such persons Of the
race as fall within certain expressly stated
exemptions-as II. in other words. ex-
clusion was the rule and admission the
exception"
The report gives facts and figures con-
corning immigration on the Atlantic sea
board. The total number of aliens adj
United during the year was 1,286,S49, which
exceeded hat for The fiscal year 1906 by
| 8 ,6l4, and TINT for the fiscal year 1905
by 25S, $50, being increases of II and 20 per
cent, respectively.
During the fiscal year 1864 aliens were
| rejected. an increase over the reflections
for the fiscal year 1906 of 6s2. The. total
number seeking admission in 1907, there
fore, was 1, 29e, 413. an increase over the
total number applying in 1906 of 1s5, BAG.
The Secretary frowns upon the mooted
international conference or immigration,
provided by Section 30 of the new immi-
grafton act, for the general consideration
of limiting by the agreement of the ma
lions certain classes of immigration. The
proposed scheme Of having American inn
migration inspectors in foreign ports to
pass upon the eligibility OF immigrants is
particularly impraetieable. says Mr.. Straus.
Secretary Strauss report gives figures
to show the advance of foreign and domes-
tic commerce over previous years. The
citation is as follows;
THE most strongly marked character
istic of the years commerce is an increase
in imports. which grew from 81, 226, 562, 446
In 1906 to 81 .434, Al ,425 in 1907, while the ex-
ports of domestic merchandise grew from
81, III, 953, 3S2 in 1906 to $1,S53, 1904 In 1907.
Both imports and exports show a larger
total value in 1907 than in any earlier
year"