Speech #520046333

Article 5 of this treaty has strikingly shown the want of statesmanship by those who negotiated and accepted it. Ithasproved to be not only unwise. but an outrage upon the social and material interqsts of the whole nation. I quote it: Cordially recognizes the inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance and also the mutual advantages of the migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects. respectively. from the one country to the other for purposes of curiosity. of trade. or as permanent residents. The advantages of this section have almost wholly inured to the benefit of the Chinese. but. conceding the principle. is not the right to prevent for cause inherent? Otherwise it would be illogical and absurd. This article also contains a proviso that certain laws shall be passed by both the contracting powers concerning the forced immigration of coolies and making it a penal offense. viz: For a citizen of the United States or Chinese subject to take Chinese subjects either to the United States or any other foreign country. or for a Chinese subject or citizen of the United States to take citizens of the United States to China or to any other foreign country. without their free and voluntary consent. respectively. In pursuance of which the United States enacted stringent laws for the carrying out of that provision. China. however. has utterly failed and neglected to pass such a law or to take any effective steps to prevent emigration under contract and by compulsion. and it is a wellknown fact that there are many instances where this provision has been ignored. where Chinese subjects have been sold for a certain period to labor. and some for vilest purposes. have been compelled to emigrate and fulfill their contract. I think it is within the truth to say that 50 per cent of those here came in violation of this article and of our contractlabor law. (I have a copy of a contract. authenticated by a ninister of the gospel. which I would append to my remarks were it not too indecent for publication.) China has committed a flagrant violation of this most important provision of the treaty. Article 6 in effect provides. that while "the United States grants to the Chinese the right of access. of travel. trade. or permanent residence." in any and all parts of our country. without restriction.