Evening journal., 1921-05-27
Chinese TEST
LANGUAGELA
Philippine Merchants OBJ
ject to Act Forcing Them
TO Use Dialects
QUESTION AFFECTS
BOOK KEEPING

MANILA--Chinese merchants OF
thc Philippine Islands have decided
to test through the courts here the
constitutionality OF the law passed
by the recent session OF the Legisia-
tura. requiring all merchants 20
keep their books in English. Spanish
or one OF tho dialects OF the Philip
pine islands Failing in this course.
n was announced through the Chin
ese Consnl-GeneraL Kow Hsien
Chow, that a protest would be made
to the Congress OF the United States
Mr.. Kow. In a statement, said he
had received advices from Chinese
merchants all over the islands. as
well as Manila, telling OF their prob
able departure from the Philippines
unless some way can be found 20
prevent the enforcement OF the law.
Consul-General Kow pointed out
that the bookkeeping law violates
treaties between countries. including
those between the United States and
China He said the Constitution OF
the United States and the various
treaties, including the treaty with
China, accord TO foreigners who de-
sire TO reside in the United States
and do business there exactly the
same treatment as the citizens Of
the United States would themselves
receive, and the only power that can
pass a law that would interfere with
the rights OF aliens who desire TO
enter the United States and do bust
ness there would be the United
States Congress.
In a letter to the then Governor
General. Francis Burton Harrison.
before he signed the bill, Mr- Kow
said:
zone Objectionable feature Of the
\ proposed law, which has already
greatly aroused the local Chinese
sentiment, is that Il attempts no dis
tinction between the larger Chinese
commercial concerns and the small
shopkeepers, who are by far in the
majority and would be the worst gen
orally affected. This latter class con-
stitutes today the principal mercan-
tile population OF the Philippines
and has so predominated for several
centuries.
There has never been a require
b ment in the Philippines up 70 THU
time which so deliberately strikes al
b their business and property. making
-tit necessary for them 70 consider
leaving the country for their home
land or neighboring Oriental coun'
tries. where no such restrictive regu'
lation exists.
The universal custom In tn
. Dutch East Indies. Federated Mala,
T states. Straits Settlement, Frencl
e lIndo-Chlna and OF course in Chin
Is for the government 10 proUd
a the necessary translators and inspec
e tors to examine the books OF Chimes
y merchants in connection with reye
e nue. collections, police measures. etc
J. This plan has worked with universe
satisfaction, causing no friction o
70 misunderstanding TO the Govern
!: ment, upon the one hand, and tn
), Chinese residents, upon the other.
b, In short. the proposed law woull
p be highly detrimental TO the mani
fold interests, commercial. politica
o and social OF both-republics."
s Dee c. Chaun, president OF tn
s Chimes Chamber Of Commerce, est
x mated the number OF individuals an
partnerships affected by the new Law
at more than 10000. The Chimes
2 Chamber OF Commerce decided Z
n ask for the cooperation Of all cham
y bers Of commerce in China and Il
other parts Of the world in the hgh
j. against the operation OF the law.