The most feasible way of meeting the difficulty would be, as it appears to me, the enactment of regulations to provide against abuses in the enforcement of our Exclusion Laws.  The President has already spoken forcibly in condemnation of such abuses.  The “privileged classes” might be construed in a more liberal sense.  Provision might be made to mitigate the hardships of detention and repatriation; and a better class of inspectors might be appointed with a general superintendent, whose duty it should be to see that the laws are enforced humanely as well as faithfully.

On December 18, less than three months after the attack on Americans at Lienchow, an attempt [Page 256] was made to destroy the British settlement in Shanghai.

A woman arrested on a charge of kidnapping was sent to the foreign jail to await trial.  The Chinese assessor insisted, not without reason, that she ought to be kept in a native jail.  No attention being given to his protest, though supported by the taotai or local governor, a mob of riff-raff from beyond the limits burst into the settlement, put the foreign police to flight, and began to burn and pillage.  Happily a body of marines with gatling guns and fire-engines succeeded in quelling the flames and suppressing the insurrection.  A few hours’ delay must have seen that rich emporium converted into a heap of ashes.  Forty of the rioters were killed and many wounded.  Though on ground granted to Great Britain, the settlement is called international and is governed by a municipal council elected by the foreign ratepayers.  The Chinese residents, numbering half a million, are allowed no voice in the council; and that also is felt as a grievance.  They are, however, protected against the rapacity of their own officials; and it is said they took no part in the riot.  In fact had it not been promptly suppressed they must have suffered all the horrors of sack and pillage.  After it was over they took occasion to demand recognition in the municipal government; promising to be satisfied if allowed to appoint a permanent committee, with whom the council should consult before deciding on any question affecting their interests.

Modest as this request was, it was rejected by an almost unanimous vote of the foreign ratepayers.  They knew that such committee, however elected, [Page 257] was certain to be manipulated by the governor to extend his jurisdiction.  Their decision was quietly accepted by the Chinese residents, who appreciate the protection which they enjoy in that strange republic.  The question is certain to come up again, and their claim to be heard will be pressed with more insistence as they become more acquainted with the principles of representative government.

The existence of an imperium in imperio which comes between them and their people is of course distasteful to the mandarins; and they are bent on curtailing its privileges.  If its franchises were surrendered, “Ichabod” might be inscribed on the gates of the model settlement.