Speech #500117776

President. that the Chinese Government agreed to a modification of the Burlingame treaty by the treaty of 1880. by which the Government of the United States is authorized in case of Chinese laborers to regulate. limit. or suspend such coming or residence. but may not absolutely prohibit it. The limitation or suspension shall be reasonable and shall apply only to the Chinese who may go to the United States as laborers. other classes not being ineluded in the limitation. And that legislation. taken in regard to Chinese laborers. will be only such as is necessary to enforce the regulation. limitation. and suspension of immigration. You will also observe that laborers who are in the United States at the time of the ratification of the treaty of 1880 shall be allowed to go and come of their own free will and accord. and there shall be accorded to them all the privileges. immunities. and exemptions which are accorded to the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation. In other words. a Chinese laborer who was in the United States at the time of the ratification of thetreaty of 1880 has the right to come aud go at his own good pleasure with as absolute protection. if the guaranty of the treaty is carried out. as is accorded to an Englishman. an Irishman. a German. or a Russian.