Salt Lake Tribune | 1913-10-01 | Page 6 | China as a Jocker

CHINA AS A JOKER. A little ruction has begun in Panama with regard to the entrance and the cmploymont of Chinese within the judisdiction of the Panaman republic. Tho republic of Panama has recently passed a new immigration law, prohibiting pro-hibiting the entrance of Chinese, and requiring the registration of Chinamen China-men already there, and imposing a fino of $250 for all that come into that republic illegally. Of course China made vigorous protest, and, thereupon, Panama gave the Chinese Consul Gen- real his walking papers. Whereupon China appealed to our administration in Washington, urging this country to look ' after the interests of Chinamen in Panama and do what might be possible possi-ble to persuade tho Panaman government govern-ment to repeal its Chineso exclusion act, and all of its harsh, legislation against Chinamen. The joke of this is apparent. The United States has the strongest exclusion, ex-clusion, law against Chinamen of any nation. How, then, could we appear as tho friend of China, and ask Panama to repeal its exclusion legislation directed direct-ed against the Chinese? IIow could wo aBk, in view of our own legislation, that Panama should bo gontle with tho Chinamen and allow them to como in and pursue thoir labors there without molestation? Panama would at onco reply: ' ' What about your own exclusion exclu-sion laws? and what about your in-j sistonco that the Chinoso must not in-vado in-vado tho labor field of tho United States?"- And what could we say in roply? Clearly China has put a joke ovor on tho Unitod Stntcs that tho pooplo of both countries ought to bo able to enjoy.