Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1905 — THAT CHINESE BOYCOTT. [ARTICLE]

THAT CHINESE BOYCOTT.

Loom of Trade Not to Bo Feared—Preferable to Cooly Imgux. A strong effort Is being made to lower the bars so that the Chinese can more easily enter the country. Yet If a referendum vote could be ordered there would be practically a unanimous vote against Chinese Immigration. The present effort Is being backed up by the great Chinese companies that control the emigration of the coolies from China, and these four companies have induced many of the Chinese merchants to boycott American goods as long as onr Chinese immigration laws are so drastically administered. The Chinese government does not seem to be asking that our policy be changed, probably knowing that such could not be. but it is demandiug that our treaty engagements be kept, which guarantee tiie entry of merchants and students and others traveling for business or pleasure. The difficulty of administering this agreement at the custom houses is the well known duplicity of the coolies who desire to enter the United States and the tricks they are capable of to evade the law. which has resulted in the stringent efforts of the officials. There is no doubt that great Injustice has been done In some cases and that those entitled to entry have been ill used and excluded. The trouble is that the class of men who have been appointed immigration inspectors are not competent to Judge between tftse who should and those who should not be allowed to land. The threat of boycotting our goods In Cbina Is not to be feared, for the exports to that country are insignificant compared to the Influx of a horde of such undesirable immigrants as the Chinese coolies are. In 18.93 the total exports to China were less than $19,000,000 in value, the year prevails being about $24,000,000, Indicating that Sbr trade was fast decreasing before the boycott was Inaugurated. We are admitting millions of very undesirable Immigrants from Europe, but they bring their families with them and Intend to make this country their home, and these we hope to assimilate with our population In good time, though the task In the big cities is a stupendous one.