Chapter 641 One in and one out
"The Chinese have many bad habits and prejudices, and it is impossible for them to Americanize their lives, let alone accept American ethical and moral standards based on Christianity; and the large influx of Chinese workers has created a tense situation of competing for jobs with American workers. , the use of Chinese unions results in lower wages for workers.”—Knights of Labor.
"Today the United States officially passed the "Law Concerning the Implementation of Provisions of Chinese Treaties." This is a big step in the progress of American society. It represents the maintenance of traditional order and culture, and at the same time safeguards the interests of the majority of San Francisco citizens." - San Francisco worker association.
Anti-China forces in the United States have been around for a long time, especially in California in the west. However, starting in May 1882, their political claims were officially supported by law. This was the first time in American history.
Soon San Francisco established a Chinese immigration processing station to repatriate Chinese immigrants, and the East African Immigration Service quickly reached an agreement with San Francisco city officials to help the United States save repatriation expenses.
Angel Island Immigration Processing Station.
It’s a very ironic name. All illegal Chinese in San Francisco are now sent here. It’s a cramped environment, crowded, and even dirtier than the slums of San Francisco.
Most of the Chinese here have braids, which is no different from the Far Eastern Empire. Their complexions are yellow, their clothes are ragged, and their bodies don’t look very healthy. After all, the work they do is all dirty and tiring work, which is not much better than the Far Eastern Empire. .
Even Wilson, a staff member of the Immigration Department who is used to seeing various scenes, somewhat dislikes this environment. However, thinking about the unsatisfactory work last year, and now that the opportunity has come, he has to put down his status and work here.
Wilson took the key as usual and opened the small house at the immigration processing station, and then the assistant brought out the table and chairs.
The house is already crowded with people, and new people are sent here every day, and then they will learn of Wilson's existence through word of mouth from the old man.
Because not everyone is willing to go to Africa. After staying in the United States for a long time, I know some news about Africa. The United States does not have much contact with East Africa, so the impression of Africa is still the same as that of more than ten years ago. Of course, there are still Some people just want to return to the Far East, or they are thinking of escaping here and continuing to live in the United States.
Those who are unwilling to work in Africa, or who do not trust Wilson, will naturally stay at the immigration processing station for a few more days.
However, there are many people who are forced to have no other choice. These are mostly gangsters. Of course, many Chinese in the United States are gangsters, because the Far Eastern Empire government does not encourage going abroad, and most of them are immigrants from South China. This time is similar to the Taiping Rebellion. .
Wilson started his day's work. He looked at the first person standing in front of the table, made sure that his hands and feet were sound, and asked directly: "What do you do in the United States?"
“Dock porter.”
“Then where did you work before?”
"New York."
“Then why come to San Francisco? New York is far away from San Francisco.”
“Sir, recently the whole United States has been arresting people like me and sending them here.”
“Are you willing to work in Africa?”
“Are you in charge of the food?”
“Of course, but Africa is very far away and the journey may be very difficult.”
“You passed!” After saying this, Wilson picked up a small ticket and handed it to him. There is not even registration information. As long as you have this small ticket, you can board the ship to Africa. This rough selection method is very inconsistent with the past habits of the East African Immigration Agency.
Wilson didn't bother to tell them about the situation in Africa, because there were no strict requirements for recruiting immigrants from East Africa this time, and these people were all sent to the royal territory of Sigmaringen.
If East Africa chooses its own immigrants, it will definitely be carefully selected. As for other regions and countries, there are no strict requirements.
Of course, if rare talents can be found, East Africa will definitely intercept them, but it is difficult for this to happen. The Chinese who come to the United States are basically at the bottom.
Hundreds of people went to Africa through Wilson's hands every day, and what brought these people back to Africa happened to be the slave ships coming from East Africa to the United States.
After all, the United States has the Chinese Exclusion Act, but not the Black Exclusion Act. Therefore, with the help of East Africa, the population of the United States will not be affected as it enters and exits.
Many of these Chinese have received the "education" of industrial society in American society, and after going to the Sigmaringen Royal Territory, they can better contribute to the construction of the Sigmaringen Royal Territory.
"These Chinese are all adventurers from the Far Eastern Empire. Many of them are gold diggers or workers who were deceived into participating in the construction of the American railway. Now we are just packing them up and sending them to the royal territory of Sigmaringen to solve the population problem there." Weiss, the captain of the Delles slave ship, said to Wilson who was off duty.
"Mr. Weiss, the treatment in the royal territory of Sigmaringen should be good. These people have no future in the United States, so they might as well go to Africa to try their luck. That's how I went to East Africa."
Without East African intervention, even if the vast majority of these immigrants could stay, they might only be in the United States for one generation. After all, their status is lower than that of black people, and they have no value at all in the American marriage market.
On the contrary, those who had already gone to East Africa may have given birth to several children, but this group of Chinese immigrants obviously did not have such luck.
It is still the Great Depression in the United States, and as early as the economic crisis broke out in 1873, East Africa had already recruited people in the United States. That was the last window.
In fact, the Chinese Exclusion Act is the result of the economic downturn in the United States. American society also needs a punching bag, and the Chinese group with low social status, different values, and weak power is the best target for bullying.
Now when going to Africa, if you don’t have skills, East Africa will not accept them, including railway employees. They can only be sent to the Belgian Congo and the royal territory of Sigmaringen.
After all, East Africa has given them opportunities before, even before the economic crisis, and the Chinese who can come to the United States show that they are still somewhat courageous, and East Africa does not need courageous people.
Had the potential of German immigrants not been drained, East Africa would not have wanted to absorb German immigrants in the United States.
As for the recruitment of immigrants this time, the main purpose is to fill the gap between the royal territory of Sigmaringen and the Belgian Congo. The specific treatment depends on the conscience of the Belgians and the ruling methods of the royal family of Sigmaringen.
However, it is good to go to Africa in general, especially the Royal Territory of Sigmaringen. After all, the Royal Territory of Sigmaringen is based on East Africa, so the possibility of Chinese immigrants being discriminated against is less likely.
In fact, the Chinese Exclusion Act was not an isolated case. The East African government also took similar measures against black people in East Africa. However, Ernst wanted to save face and would not directly write it into the law like in the United States.
In California, the United States, which has the most serious anti-Chinese policies, the California government actually did not support anti-Chinese anti-Chinese policies before because the tax revenue from Chinese people filled the government’s deficit. Later, when the government’s finances became richer, it no longer opposed Chinese anti-Chinese policies.
This is very similar to what happened before in East Africa. After the development of eastern East Africa, it also embarked on the "anti-criminal" campaign. The first areas to be implemented were the two provinces in Somalia.
Everyone is good at burning bridges across rivers, so it is impossible for East Africa to criticize the United States' actions from the moral high ground, unless the United States targets East Africa and everyone denigrates and exposes each other.
(End of this chapter)