The definitions have been found absolutely necessary to give force and practical effect to existing treaty provisions and to prevent their absolute annulment by fraud and evasion. Answering the Senator somewhat generally and without pausing to analyze the bill critically or at length. I think he will find that the provisions of the proposed law said to be in contravention of our treaty obligations with China neither enlarge nor restrict the rights. the powers. and the duties of the United States under existing treaties with respect to Chinese exclusion. nor will they serve to exclude the bona fide excepted classes. The definitions which the executive department has so long given the classes entitled to admission would seem to be the reasonable definitions to be placed upon the statute books. The Chinese Empire seems to have fully acquiesced in them for many years.
Keywords matched
Chinese exclusion