Mr. Hay to Mr. Wu.

No. 169.]

Sir: Referring to your note, No. 200, of December 26 last, complaining of the manner in which the Chinese-exclusion laws are enforced at San Francisco, I have the honor to inform you that the Department is in receipt of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, dated the 12th ultimo, inclosing for the Department’s information a copy of a report received from the collector of customs at San Francisco [Page 66] on the subject, together with a copy of a report from the Chinese inspector in charge at that place.

The collector says:

I do not understand that there is now any basis for the contention that unreasonable delay is occasioned in the hearing of these cases. Heretofore, where the evidence was presented through attorneys, in many instances the continuances have been granted at the request of such attorneys. Now, however, the Government proceeds upon its own initiative, and through the Chinese bureau, to inquire into the status of each particular case as it presents itself. All reasonable efforts are made to expedite these hearings, and I believe that you will find that at the present time (February 1, 1901), and in the future, there has been and will be no unreasonable postponement in deciding any of these cases.

As to the complaint of discourtesy, etc., the Chinese inspector in charge asks that you be requested to prefer the charge in form so specific that a thorough investigation will be required, and that his office may be relieved of any officer found guilty upon such charges, a request which I now have the honor to make.

Accept, etc.,

John Hay.