The Detroit times., 1909-12-30
CHINESE EDUCATOR
TURNED BACK
At BORDER
w. G. Chen Not Allowed To Enter
Canada on Way To Attend Stu
Il dent Volunteer Convention
~ In Rochester, N. Y.
Much Bitterness Felt Toward Domin
ions Rigid Laws, which Result
,. in Palpable Injustice.

W. c. Chen. Chinese student OF
international law In the University OF
Michigan and formerly a professor or
English In the Pekin University, was
held up by Canadian immigration OF.
ficials when he attempted to enter tho
dominion at Windsor, Tuesday night.
In company with a party OF 60 other
Michigan college men on their way to
the Student Volunteer convention In
Rochester. n. Y.
The officials refused TO allow Chen
TO proceed with the party until he
had paid the head tax OF $500 which
the Canadian exclusion laws impose
on all Chinese coming into the coun-
try Mr.. Chen refused to pay the head
tax. declaring that on a recent visit To
Ottawa no tax was required OF him.
He understood. he said. that the law
had been modified so as not to apply
In cases such as his.
Michigan Central officials explained
that he could reach Rochester by go.
Ing around the other way, through
the states. and offered him every
courtesy, but Chen declared that I'M
less he could accompany the party
tax he would not attend the conven-
ton at ALL The immigration officials
were obdurate, pointing out that the
law was most explicit and that they had
no authority to make any exceptions.
Accordingly, Mr.. Chen returned to
Ann Arbor and the delegation con-
tinued on its way without him.
Several OF the students suggested
ways for eluding the officials. but Mr.,
Chen frowned on all OF these PROPOSE
tions, refusing to stoop To trickery.
The party occupied two special sleep
ers and il would have been an easy
matter to smuggle Chen through had
he consented to be party TO such a
plan.
l.. +. Buell., secretary OF the state
Y. NJ G.. A., felt the indignity TO the
Chinese delegate very keenly, as his
record as a Christian student and mis-
sionary has been irreproachable. Buell.
appealed to J. S. Hall. general passen.
ger agent of the Michigan Central.
who cited the Dominion law on the
subject, the technical violation OF
which would mean the imposition OF a
fine of $500 against the railroad. The
United States government has modi-
fed its exclusion policy TO guard
against palpable injustice in a case
like this, but the Canadian rule has no
elasticity.
The Student Volunteer. convention
is held every four years for the pur-
pose OF presenting the claims OF the
missionary movement TO the colleges.
An attendance OF about 5000 dele
gates. representing 700 colleges and
mission boards. is expected at the
Rochester convention, which lasts
over Sunday. and many mission
aries from foreign countries will be
in attendance.
Mr. Chen is devout Christian and
Is deeply interested in the missionary
movement. He had looked forward
with keen anticipation To the Roches.
ter convention IL is told OF him that
when some Of his kin were killed In
the Boxer uprising in China several
wears ego and he learned that friends
we're preparing to avenge their deaths.
he went to- the would-be avengers and
persuaded them TO abandon their plan.
as he had forgiven the slayers. He
was then professor in the Pekin
university