0.
196
A
LOOP HOLES FOR CHINAMEN.
7933
That such inducements wohld have been MAY 2
That the
If one may trust Inte advices from China, offered if the proposed act had become it is by no means certain that the bill pro. law seems sufficiently obvious. It does not hibiting Chinese immigration would have seem to be often taken into account that been an efficient measure, even if it had re- the Chinese who arrive in this coun- ceived the approval of President ARTHUR. try rarely come directly from China, The intent of the act was to prevent the In the groat majority of Cases Chinese from coming in large numbers to the port of departure is the English this country, and so far as the immedi- colony of Hong Kong. By residing a rela ate subjects of the Emperor of China tively short time in that place the proposed are concerned, it would no doubt have se- emigrants could acquire a citizenship which cured the desired end. But it does not would enable them to sail peaceably through seem to have been sufficiently taken into the blockade we established along our coast, account that there are a very large number The documentary evidence which each of of persons of Chinese birth and descent them could produce that they were the sub- who are not Chinese in the technical sense jects of her Majesty the Queen would of the word. Those who have left that em- render nugatory the provisions of our pire to settle in the varions East Indian and act, which was intended to prevent Australian colonies of Great Britain have for immigration by the subjects of the Emperor some reason found it expedient to change of China. Those Chinese laborers who their nationality. In reports made about a chose to go to British Columbia and work year since by several of the British Consuls for a time on the Canadian Pacific Railroad! in China it was stated that this problem of could with equal facility come across the changed nationality was one which gave rise border to Oregon and California after their to a great deal of annoyance. They were period of naturalization was over. constantly called upon for protection by obstacles which the law would throw in the ' those who claimed to be subjects of way would bave some effect in limiting the Queen, but who were in all out-
immigration cannot be denied; under ward appearance no different from the
the most favorable circumstances a change. ordinary citizens of China. These men in nationality would involve delays which had lived for a tiroc at Hong Kong, Sloga
would deter many from making it. But pore, or some other English settlements..
these obstacles would not count for so much had been naturalized there, and had then aa might be supposed with the laboring returned to their old homes. It was of ad- class, in consequence of the systero under vantage to them to retalu the citizenship which this species of Chinese immigration is they had acquired, for if imposed upon is carried on What are known as the Six any way by the Chinese authorities they Companies are interested in organized emi- could appeal to the British Consuls for gration schemes to other countries than assistance. In this respect they occupied this. They could send out several thousand positions somewhat analogous to those held
Chinese to work for a term of years in Aus- by rogular residents in Ireland who claim tralia, and then have them shipped as Eng- to be naturalized American citizens. In one lish citizens to the United States. Isolated case, as in the other, citizenship is locked immigration, which is, on the whole, the upon as a safeguard to be used in possible most desirable kind, might be prevented, contingencies- possession which gives cer-
but it will be hard to frame a law which tain privileges and is not incumbered with would not be of questionable expediency, embarrassing duties
which will act as an effective barrier against this organized method of immigra tion er masse. Let Congress do what it may,
While the disagreeable features of this position were pointed out in the reports re-
The
of the written law.
ferred to, no suggestion was given as to a those who are interested in bringing Chinese means of correcting the trouble.
to this country profess a confidence in their Chinese find no difficulty in becoming natability to find a means of carrying on their uralized in any English colony to which business while keeping within the confines they may go. An empire which includes within its domain such a vast variety of heterogeneous races is not likely to raise scruples over, the admission of a new genus. The point that was made when this question was discussed in England, that it might be well to compel the naturalized Chinese to adopt the European dress and manner of life, was readily answered by the remark that if dress and method of living were insisted upon as guarantees of citizen. ship then what would become of the Eng- lish subjects in India, South Africa, and other colonies? It may be accepted as be- yond controversy that guarantees of this kind will not be insisted upon by Great Britain, and, furthermore, that the Chinese will not hesitate to become naturalized alti- zens of Great Britain whenever they deem it for their advantage to make this change. Although devotedly attached to their coun- try, they are not strongly influenced by sen. timental considerations respecting the Gov- crument, and are quite ready to throw off the form of nationality if by so doing they can see a way to the advancement of their material interests.