Alien labor, Chinese--Legal status, laws, etc.

A translation of an article from the Asahi Shimbun criticizes a labor regulation which resulted in the loss of employment for foreign Chinese railroad workers. The writer argues that the inexpensive yet efficient labor provided by Chinese workers is necessary for Japan to improve its industry and compete with international, particularly German, commodities. The writer acknowledges the potential harm increasing immigrant labor could cause local Japanese laborers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-02

Creator(s)

Unknown

A clip from the Japan Chronicle describes the plight of the Chinese laborers brought to work on the Kagoshima Railway in the Miyazaki Prefecture. The situation violates the Imperial Ordinance No.352 of 1899, and as such, the workers have been laid off. An economist quoted in the Osaka Mainichi has stated that affordable labor from foreign workers will support the Japanese workers and the development of Japan. They have also reported that Chinese laborers are permitted to work in mines and charge less per day than Japanese workers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-01

Creator(s)

Unknown

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf discusses the procedures for implementing the Chinese exclusion law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-24

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

Victor Howard Metcalf provides President Roosevelt with a series of correspondences regarding an immigration inspector, George C. Triick, who was accused of mistreating Mr. Chow Tszchi, a Chinese dignitary. The department agrees that the Government should provide the utmost courtesy to Chinese people but notes issues in proving citizenship or defining who could be classified as a Chinese laborer. Chinese merchants, teachers, students and bankers are welcome, but not laborers with falsified Chinese papers pretending to be of a higher class. A treaty written in 1904 sought to deal with falsified records but the Chinese thought it was too strict. Metcalf notes any concerns of harshness in the enforcement of exclusionary laws is necessary to combat those trying to skirt the system.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-07

Creator(s)

Metcalf, Victor Howard, 1853-1936

President Roosevelt tells Thomas C. Friedlander that the cause of the Chinese boycott is unjust and unfair provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act and onerous immigration laws. Roosevelt and the State Department have made reforms in the Bureau of Immigration to help the situation, but the boycott’s root cause cannot be dealt with any further unless Congress passes legislation. He tells Friedlander that members of the Merchants Exchange should lobby their Congressmen to pass such a law.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-11-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt has read Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf’s report about the alleged misconduct of immigrant inspector George C. Triick toward the secretary of the Chinese legation. Although Roosevelt understands there are difficulties in administering the Chinese exclusion laws to make sure the right type of immigrants are in the United States, he does not find Triick’s conduct “justifiable.” Chinese individuals “should no more be molested in this country than any other foreigner.” Roosevelt agrees with Metcalf the best solution is to establish American officials in China to give certification to those coming here, and wonders if such a rule can be established independently of Congress. If new officials are not possible, Roosevelt suggests making an experiment with the consuls. The president closes by insisting Triick’s action was improper, and he should be punished or dismissed. Americans must treat the Chinese how they would like to be treated.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt would like the Chinese merchant that he discussed with Secretary of Commerce and Labor Cortelyou to be admitted. The merchant is an associate of Yick Nam Quan, who Roosevelt finds to be honest and intelligent. The merchant has lived in the United States and is returning from China. The law is to restrict Chinese laborers but is written to favor merchants and students. Roosevelt has been uneasy about the many obstacles placed before Chinese merchants and students. He suggests this case could serve as a precedent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-25

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919