Speech #470058177

I can only repeat what I have already said in answer to the Senator from Vermont. that inasmuch as the President of the United States has communicated to Congress as one of the supports of the veto message this interpretation of the treaty. by the highest authority of China in this land. an interpretation which I venture to say is contrary to that given to it by nineteentwentieths of the people of the United States. and evidently contrary to the interpretation given to it by twothirds at least of the members of Congress. it is our duty in the interest of open and frank legislation to put also our interpretation upon the words of the treaty. I go further. I say that good faith toward the officers of this Government whom we charge with the difficult and delicate duty prescribed bv this act. good faith to the Chinamen who may come to this country believing that they are within the exceptions of the law and as to whom we intend to apply the strong measure of deportation. good faith to both these classes requires that we should speak with no uncertain voice and that we should put into this law the interpretation of the treaty which we believe that it can fairly bear. And I have the less difficulty in coming to this conclusion because I find here in the treaty itself a provision looking to the fact that the legislation of Congress may seem to the authorities of China hard. unjust. inconsistent with the treaty. and stipulating that the legislation shall be comiuinicated to the imperial authorities of China by the Secretary of State in order that representations may be made by the Chinese minister to the officials of the United States and a conference may be had to the end "that mutual and unqualified benefit may result. Therefore it is that I would pit into this law our interpretation of the treaty. andif in the opinion of the Chinese authorities such legislation shall seem to transgress the limits of the treaty in any respect. representations niay be made to us. which I ani sure that the execulive department in its diplomatic capacity. and the legislative department will respectfully heed. Mr. President. I do not like the feature of deportation contained in this bill. It does not meet the hearty assent of my judgment. I yield my objection very reluctantly to the opinions and wishes of my friends who have charge of the bill.