New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-15
VIOLENCE IN CALIFORNIA.
GREAT DANGER THERE OF RIOTS And BLooDsHED
ON ACCOUNT or THE CHINESE.
ipy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl

ON ACCOUNT or THE CHINESE
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON Dec. 1.-The Attorney-General, by
direction of the President, has given considerable
attention to the question of protecting the Chinese
in California The discussion of this matter occu-
med considerable time in the Cabinet to-day, but no
action was taken upon it.
The difficulty which the Attorney-General finds 10
that there Is 10 authority for the United States to
interfere unless the State should ask for aid. Under
the present circumstances this is not to be expected,
as political influences in both parties in California
are arrayed against the Chinese The SIX companies,
and those to whom they have appealed
here urge upon the Administration the IS
suance of an order to the Dstrlct-Attorney
at San Francisco directing him to enforce
United States laws This. they assert, should be
done as a matter of good faith toward China and
bv way Of observing the terms of our treaty win
that Power They urge also, that in tins case 1t Is
not only competent for the Government, but oblga-
tory upon it, TO that its faith Is kept with TINS
foreign Power.
TO this view Of the question the Attorney-General
is not quite ready assent. lie holds that although
the treaty guarantees protection to the chinese VINO
are here Congress has thus far failed to authorize
the General Government to interfere III States III
order to carry the treaty into effect.
The Government authorities have received infor-
nation from some Of the most prominent capitalists
OF California that the leading ctizens,-thCse
concerned in the great commercial interests and
all connected with the leading enterprises Of the
State-are united against the present persecution OF
the Chinese They also report that the danger
of terrible scenes of riot, bOOdshed and Ola
astrous connagration in San Francisco Is greater
than is generally supposed outside of California,
and that the necessity for precautionary measures
j., therefore, very great They also represent
that such movement against the Chinese
as is contemplated would evidently lead to
retaliation in China and probably result in the loss
of many American lives, and surely cause a dlsas-
tTous check to our commerce with that country.
Sboud the latter occur, il would prove a severe
blow TO the material interests of California, and one
which would not bc Of a temporary character
The Attorncy-GcueTa Is of opinion that tnls mat
ter should be referred to Congress. and u special
message from the President the subject has been
talked Of One of the principal difficulties IN the
way OF dealing with the subject IN tins manner,
aside from the necessary delay, is found IN the tact
that Senator Sargent is yce-prcSldent OF an
association which has adopted a resolution demand
ing the expulsion of the Chinese from the United
states. The President and all members Of his Cab
met are anxious to every means which they can
ConstitutiOnally command to prevent the
threatened outbreak. The class Of people engaged IN
the attrupt 10 create disorder is chiefly confined to
the fore, ldbouug element aided by rougls and the
lower classes of San Francisco population The TACT
that the Chinese have completely armed themselves
lieved here to be IN much worse condition than
has been reported; and news at any time OF hOrf-
bile scenes in San Francisco would not create sur
prise in ashngtOn.