Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-26
CHINESE TO
TEST LAW OF
PHILIPPINES
JHr,.,. IS 49,
Legislation Requires AL
Merchants to Keep Books
in Certain Languages.

Manila, March Chimes mes-
chants Of the Philippine Islands have
decided to test through the courts
here the constitutionality of the law
passed by the recent session OF the
legislature, requiring all merchants to
keep their books in English, Spanish, !
or. one of the dialects OF the Philip
pine Islands. Failing In this course,
it announced through the Chinese
consul-general. Kow Hsien Chow, that
a protest would be made to the con
gress of the United States.
Mr.. Kow, in a statement today, said
he had received advices from Chinese
as Manila, telling of their probable
departure from the Philippines, I'M
less some way can be found to pre-
ven the enforcement of the Law.
Consul-General Kew pointed out
that the bookkeeping law violates
treaties between countries including
those between the United States and
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 Unit
and the only power that can pass a
law hat would interfere with the
rights Of aliens who desire to enter
the United States and do business
there would be the United States con
eress.
Writes Letter.
In g letter to the 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 the fact hat 1t attempts
20 distinction between the larger Chi
nese commercial concerns and the
small shop-keepers who are by far in
generally affected. This latter class
constitutes today the principal mer-
camille population of the Philippines
and has so predominated, for several
centuries.
There has never been a require
nlent in the Philippines up to this
time which so deliberately strikes at
their business and property. making
it necessary for them to consider leav-
ing the country for their homeland or
neishboring oriental countries. where
no such restrictive regulation exists.
Provides ~Translatora.
THE universal custom in the Dutch
East Indies, Federated Malay States
Straits Settlement. French Indo-Chi-
ma. n OF course, IN China, IS for the
government to provide the necessary
translators and inspectors to examine
the books of Chinese merchants in
connection with revenue collections
police measures, etc. This plan ha:
worked with universal satisfaction
causing no friction or misunderstood.
ing to the government upon the ONT
hand and the Chinese residents upor
the other.
: I'm short, the proposed Law would
8 be highly detrimental to the mani.
fold interests, commercial. politiea
and social, OF both republics"
= Saburo Kurusu, japanese consul
e general in Manila said he would tax
: no official action at present, but woult
simply report to his home government
the effects of the law on Japanes
e subjects.
8 1.-The law, Of course. hurts a grea
number of japanese in Manila, Blu
the ones most affected are the owner
, of small shops" said Mr.. Kurusu
THE law makes no provision 70
s. these"
u Dee c. Chaun, president Of the Chi
nese Chamber Of Commerce, estin1at
y ed that the number of individuals an
e partnerships affected by the new Law