CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 321

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812

C.O 35344

14048

British Consulate-General

Manila,

SEP 27

August 19, 1913.

12 003

319

Since the Spring of 1911, there has been a great

and gradually increasing number of British Indians arriving in Manila, generally with the object of proceeding to

the United States.

You are doubtless aware of the restrictions placed on the direct immigration into American of Asiatics, and

that a loophole was found in the fact that those who had been resident for six months or more in the Philippine

Islanda were allowed in as qualified by residence here.

In Fay last, the GreatNorthern S.S.Coy's Steamer

"Minnesota", which was always chosen by Indians owing

her destination being Seattle instead of San Francisco,

left Manila with some 200 Indians on board. It appears that, on arrival at Seattle, the influx of this large

number of Asiatics aroused public attention, and a

considerable outcry arose against their being allowed in.

The result was that the Customs instituted an extra strict

investigation into the pecuniary and physical status of

these men, and that eighty or so were refused admission

undesirables. The steamship Company was apparently

held liable for their return to Hongkong or Manila, as

they immediately cabled instructions to their agents here

to refuse passage to all Indians in future. A large

&#

Lieutenant Colonel

Bir A.H.McMahon,G.C.V.O.,K.C.I.E.,C.S.I.,

etc., etc., etc.,

Secretary, Foreign Department,

Government of India.

number