The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-02-10
CHINESE OF CALIFORNIA WANT
EXECUTIVE INFLUENCE USED
IN THEIR BEHALF.
M|STREATMENT CHARGED
In Lengthy Petition to Roosevelt Ce-
lestials Aver That They Are Dis
criminated Against and Charge That
immigration Inspectors Openly vio-
late Treaty Stpulations.

san Francisco, Feb. 9,-In tele-
graphic communication addressed to
President Roosevelt and sent today
by the Chinese Consolidated Benevo-
lent association, better known as the
Chinese Six companies, attention of
the president is called TO the certain
instances wherein it is affirmed the
executive department sought for the
Japanese residents of California many
rights and privileges that the Chinese
have long been denied. Its text In
part follows:
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Presi-
dent of the United states, Washing
ton--In view of the commendable and
just efforts recently made by you on
behalf of the Japanese. in regard to
certain laws lately proposed and at
the present time partially adopted by
the legislature of California now con-
vened at Sacramento, we, the Chinese
Consolidated Benevolent association,
people of the United States feel tusti-
fed in respectfully calling your atten-
ton to certain conditions pertaining
to the Chinese, both citizens and
aliens, in this country, which are di-
rect and fragrant conflict with the
sentiment expressed by you both late
ly and heretofore relative to the Japa-
nese. We also feel 1t our duty toward
those whom we represent respectfully
to PROFOUND to you centain questions
which are of the most vital interest
to the Chinese residents of these
United States, and answers to which
we respectfully but earnestly request
These things we do with all due re-
gard to the dignity of the executive
department of the United States, but
also In the belief that you, having so
unqualifiedly expressed your views in
favor of the japanese, cannot fail to
render the same justice TO the Chi
nese when the facts have been laid
before you
Discrimination.
I'VE beg leave to refer you, Mr..
President to the fact that there is a
discrimination in favor of the Japa-
nese aliens as against Chinese citi-
zens, residents and privileged classes
of this country. Such discrimina-
tion is very apparent from the fact
that the department of commerce and
labor, governed by the policy of your
administration, imposes upon the citi-
zens of Chinese descent, domiciled Chi
nese merchants, their families, the
privileged classes of Chinese under the
treaty, every conceivable embarrass-
ment which is in no way suffered by
the Japanese.
I'VE appeal to you, Mr. President, to
right the wrong suffered by the Chi
nese Of Reno, state Of Nevada, whose
property, without due process of law,
was destroyed and the occupants
turned out in the streets, homeless
and destitute.
Strong Protest.
We ask of you to exert strong
protest against the present school
laws of California which discriminate
against Chinise children, whether citi-
bCiio vi tiic'iS, anu we ieSptttIul
ask you to assist us in taking these
laws into the courts to test their con-
stitutionality, as you have stated you
viii do regarding any law which may
become such affecting Japanese chill
dren.
1t is well-known fact that in
spectors of immigration throughout
the United States, where Chinese are
concerned, are violating every letter
of the fourth amendment to the con-
stitution of the United States. Chi
nese are arrested, searched, and their
papers, the only means by which they
may be identified and saved the hu-
initiation of arrest and deportation
confiscated. Is there no remedy to
protect these people from such flag
rant injustice?"
Continuing, the telegram cites var
ious alleged abuses that are charged
to the United States immigration Of
ficials.
Like Criminals.
1T is a Wellknown fact" 1t states,
that under your administration the
immigration inspectors treat the Chi
nese en- route to the east from San
Francisco as If they were escaping
criminals"
1t is pointed out that domiciled Chi
nese. applying for admission to the
United States, are held incommuni-
cado while their right to enter is in
vestigated; that Chinese homes are
invaded by immigration inspectors
without fear of reprimand; that Chi
nese are dragged from their hearths,
confined in prison without bail, denied
the advice of counsel, and even re-
fused the right to consult their own
medical advisers. Other alleged
abuses are described and the me-
mortal suggests that, Of course the
immigration officials are merely obey
ing departmental rules and regula-
tions. President Roosevelt is asked to
recommend to congress the enact
/ ment of laws eliminating from juris-
prudence the "pernicious doctrine laid
down by the supreme court of the