Items of Interest October 14, 1905 Issue

Items of Interest

It is reported that much of the feeling in China against the Exclusion Act is rather against the construction placed upon the act than the act itself. This makes it desirable that important changes be made in the regulations relating to the application of the law. The present requirement, that American consuls identify Chinese seeking certificates admitting them to American ports, imposes a task upon these officers beyond their ability. The Chinese applicant frequently comes from some place far distant from the American consulate, and the consul is consequently obliged to refuse to identify as proper persons to be admitted to the United States many worthy Chinese, which leads to bitter complaint and fosters the boycott feeling. Chinese living in the British, French, and Portuguese Asiatic colonies, being really citizens of those nations, do not see why they cannot be admitted to America under proper passports.

The report of the Paymaster General of the army for the past fical year, points out that the enlisted men, through the system of savings deposits now in vogue in the army, during the year deposited $1,531,020, making the total amount since the establishment of the system, $26,294,326. The amount expended on account of the pay of the army during the year was $31,361,132. The last complete pay schedule for the army was passed by Congress thirty-five years ago and the report contends that it is not sufficient for present demands. The fact that the army is under-paid, the report adds, makes it impossible to recruit out of such classes as might be wished.

M. Yamaza, director of political affairs of the Japanese Foreign Office, and H. W. Denison, the adviser of the Japanese Foreign Office, arrived at Yokohama October 5, on board the steamer Dakota, from Seattle, September 20, bringing the peace treatly signed at Portsmouth, N. H., September 5, and left immediately for Tokio.

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