Liang Cheng

“ The treaty of 1894, which expired December last by limitation, containing a provision that no Chinese laborer shall enter the United States, was the result. It should be stated that there is no indication in this resolution that the Senate desired the exclusion of any other class of Chinese than laborers. It is evident that the object of the American government was to secure, and the consent of the Chinese government was given to, the prohibition of Chinese laborers only, and no other class. During more than a score of years of restriction and prohibition, abuses have sprung up on both sides. ”

“ The cause of the recent mob violence has not yet been definitely ascertained, but the Foreign Office at Peking has hastened to inform the American minister that prompt punishment will be inflicted upon the murderers and full indemnity made for the injuries and losses sustained by the missionaries.
Unfortunately the Chinese government, though influenced by a sincere desire to repress lawlessness, is not always able to anticipate and prevent mob violence; but China is not the only countrywhich is sometimes put to shame by the acts of excited and bad people. ”

“ But aside from the laboring class, all other classes should be admitted, and should receive the same treatment as is accorded to similar classes of Europeans entering this "land of freedom." As the laws and the immigration regulations stand today, aside from the five classes named in the expired treaty of 1894, namely, students, merchants, teachers, travelers, and officials, the following classes of Chinese cannot enter the United States, to wit, bankers, lawyers, journalists, priests and the clergy, physicians, dentists, insurance agents, brokers, and traveling commercial agents. ”

“ Any new settlement of the exclusion question, therefore, in order to satisfy the Chinese government and to be in accord with the dignity and sense of justice of this great American republic, must have regard to the unsatisfactory manner in which the laws and regula- tions relating to Chinese immigration, made in pursuance of treaty stipula- tions, have been administered, and should correct the abuses that have gradually sprung up, which render the present state of affairs intolerable. ”

“ The exclusion question and the administration of the exclusion laws are matters which seem to have engaged very little the consideration of the American people; but they are matters of vital importance to the Chinese directly concerned. ”

“ What China asks is only fair play and due consideration, and she can well rely on the justice of the American people and on the wisdom of their law-makers, headed by their illustrious President, who is the champion of peace, of hu- manity, of just dealing, to bring this important question to a successful set- tlement and remove the only serious obstacle to the freer development of our commercial relations. ”

“ It is anticipated that the abolition of the likin tax, as provided in the recent commercial treaties, when fully carried out, will forever destroy that formidable barrier to internal commerce so long deplored by merchants, both foreign and native alike. When her immense natural re- sources shall have been developed, her purchasing power will indeed be greatly increased. ”

“ Nor are her people, who have enjoyed art, culture, refinement for centuries, disinclined to modern luxuries and conveniences. The present foreign trade in that ancient empire is chiefly confined to the coast provinces. ”