The San Francisco call., 1910-01-17
PLANNING TO BAR
HINDU IMMIGRANTS
Aslatlc Exclusion League Sends
Letters to congressman
Asking Their Aid
Movement Brought Out at the
Regular Monthly Meeting by
Secretary's Report

Definite and concerted action to check
the tide of Hindu immigration into the
United States by national legislation
has been taken by the Asiatie exclusion
league. letters having been sent to the
California congressman and senators in
Washington asking their aid in this re-
gard. The movement was brought out
at the regular monthly meeting of the
Asiatic exclusion league, held yester-
day in the Labor temple, SIC Fourteenth
street. and was embraced in the report
of A. f. Yoell, secretary of the organi-
cation.
Apart from the efforts being directed
at Washington. the league decided to
start campaigning for the election of
the state legislature which meets in
1911, the aim being to put every candi-
date for election on record in regard to
the matter of Asiatics entering this
country.
According to the report of Secretary
Yoell there are at present 10000 Hindus
In the Pacific coast states, two-thirds of
whom are in California, and their num-
Der is increasing rapidly.
NO RESTRICTIONS NOW
AS the situation now stands there is
no restriction against Hindus entering
the country. They are subjects of Great
Britain and entitled to all the reciprocal
privileges arranged by their govern
ment and that of the United States. A
similar bar met the complaint of the,
Canadians in Vancouver, B. c., when
the food of Hindus turned toward
them. The aim of the Asiatic league is
TO have congress take steps which will
bring about a working and practical
arrangement Of the question. In a let
ter to the secretary of commerce and
labor the league said:
The league understands that
about one and half years ago,
at the port OF Sumas about 30
Hindus applied for admission. and.
after being examined by board
OF inquiry, were denied admission.
The Hindus appealed the case to
your honorable predecessor, but
their appeal was denied
EQUALLY IN FORCE NOW
1t is now admitted that the rea-
sons for keeping those Hindus from
entering. at that time are now
more wanted or needed here now
than they were then.
The league has a petition. signed
by thousands of citizens of Califor-
MIA, protesting against the admis-
sion of undesira BILE Asiatics which
ii viii take pleasure in submitting
to your authorized representatives.
Another feature OF this flux of
Asiatics, to which your attention is
called. is that they also seek to be
admitted TO Hawaii and then come
here. The reason for this pre-
suma bly,, is that there is a scarcity
of labor there and they apply for
admission. thinking the inspection
viii be less rigid. After they are
admitted there they remain one or
two months and then come to this
port
The league has information that
recently, among some so who came
from Hawaii, bout Is were affiict-
ed with trachoma. which afi1iction.
beyond question of a doubt. exist
ed upon their arrival at the islands.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION NEEDED
Daniel J. Keefe, commissioner gem
eral OF immigration, in reply pointed
out that special legislation by congress
would be necessary, and thereupon the
lea que started immediate work toward
securing ii. Letters were written to
every California congressman and SEN
stor and replies We're received showing
that the question would be aken up.
Secretary Yoel9s report reads in part
as follows:
testimony that for several months
the arrival Of Hindus at San Fran
cisco has averaR Red 200, and it is
further known that by a peculiar
ruling OF Oscar Straus a great
many of those AFFLICTED with ori-
entail diseases, particularly ira
choma, have been permitted to land