Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-05
CHINESE EXCLUSION law
. EVADED IN MANY WAYS
Commissioner General Keefe
Proposes Extensive Changes
in Regulations.

Crossing the boundary in sealed freight
cars. packed in the holds Of vessels and
landing under cover of darkness, or sue
cessfully facing inspection by immigra-
ton authorities. fortified with certificates
and carefully coached testimony-these
are some of the devious ways of the
willy Chinee'' to get into the United
States in defiance Of measures to ex-
clude him.
AS minor sons Of merchants. as native
born, or as sons born abroad to Chinese
residents in America, young coolies are
brought through the ports Of the nation.
These are favorite schemes. the success
full working Of which i; difficult to de-
feat.
Despite the structures of the immigra-
ton laws and of their enforcement,
thousands of coolies continue to defeat
the restriction and land safely. During
the year 1911, 5,1U7 Chinese were regu-
iarly admitted. il per cent less than In
1907, and - per cent less than In 1!s,s.
but 81 per cent greater than In 1901.
During the year 1911, 632 Chinese were
excluded as not entitled to enter.
Statistics Given in Report.
This exposition Of the conditions and
these statistics Of immigration are given
in the report of United States Commits
sioner General Of Immigration Keefe for
the fiscal year 1911. Commissioner Gen.
eral keefe suggests remedy. proposing
extensive changes in the laws. The
principal changes he recommends are:
That the Chinese exclusion law be
merged into the general immigration
statue; that the useless restriction now
enforced against Chinese lawfully resid-
ing in this country who wish to depart
and return be eliminated; that q new
start be made by authorizing a thorough
registration of all Chinese now within
the country, comforting upon them the
privilege OF ingress and egress on identi-
ncatiOn; that the exempt class OF Chinese
be extended to include all Chinese en-
gagged in similar high-ciass occupations,
and that the penalties for bringing
prescribed chinese into the country he
materially increased.
difficulty is to distinguish between good
and bad cases. as they are all handled in
practically the same way by the promo
tiers and 'steerers'' Of Chinese immigra-
ton. Many Of the Chinese have no re-
spect for the law, and in its violation
are often aided by INSCRIPTIONS Ameri-
cans: in fact, the Chinese seem to regard
a successful evasion of the statute as q
meritorious act. Many engage in syste-
matte smuggling out OF friendship for
relatives and clansmen. while others have
enormous fortunes by promoting
the unlawful immigration Of laborers.
'Of minor sons ~; entered during
the year: and of natives 1856, the
average for the last three years being
], 422 per year.
In his report Commissioner General
Keefe suggests that there be applied to
all aliens coming to perform labor q
physical standard similar to that required
OF recruits for the navy: that the fine
assessed against steamship companies for
aliens afflicted with certain men,
tai defects or contagious diseases be in
creased from 500 to 5000, and made to
apply also to the insane; that a smaller
fine be assessed for bringing aliens less
seriously diseased, and that the provis-
ions concerning criminals be so strength
ened as to reject all those who have COM
nitted crimes, irrespective Of whether
they have been convicted or admit the