Speech #500108002

Chinese laborers would be absolutely prohibited from coming to the United States. The Chinese Government may refuse to accede to the changes in the treaty proposed by the Senate. If this occurs. the whole negotiation will fail. but as it is probable the amendments will be agreed to. in view of the public interest taken in the question of Chinese immigration. and the necessity for legislation to carry into effect the provisions of the treaty as soon as it is properly approved and ratified. the pending bill and amendment should pass without delay. The object of the bill is to give effect to the treaty when the ratifications are exchanged. and it presents questions which are worthy of the most careful consideration and the most deliberate discussion. In order to understand and appreciate the great demand for the treaty and for the bill it is proper that I should briefly refer to the treaties heretofore made between the United States and China. and als6 to bills passed by Congress to give effect to those treaties. The treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and China which existed in 1869 was supplemented by another treaty ratified in that year. and commonly known as the Burlingame treaty. By Article V of this treaty the right was conferred upon all Chinese subjects to emigrate to the United States either for purposes of curiosity or trade or for permanent residence. Article VI conferred a similar right upon citizens of the United States in respect to Chinese territory at such places only where foreigners were permitted to reside. The practical effect of this treaty was soon found to be pernicious and injurious to the States and Territories of the United States bordering on the Pacific Ocean.