New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-08

THE SLAUGHTER OF CHINESE WlNEhS.
IL seems probable that the slaughter OF
Chinese miners in Wyoming is likely to DO
made the occasion Of an urgent appeal 10 our
Government. There Is no charge that the
foreign miners were guilty of any wrong In THIS
instance to provoke the assaults upon them,
nor had there been of late, according to the
statements published, any important difference
In regard to wages between these and other
miners employed in the same region. 1t Is the
opinion of the Chinese representative that the
outbreak is due wholly to race prejudice, whiie
the representative of the company employing
the miners evidently believes that it is the out
come of trades unionism, and its prejudice
against the foreign workers because they refuse
to join such organizations In the absence Oh
fair statements Of the other side of the contro-
versy, it is not easy to determine how far the
outrages may be attributed to either or Doth OF
these causes, or to others not yet explained.
But be the cause what it may, the Chinese
workers have a right to protection against law
less violence, and the Chinese authorities nave
right on their side In appealing to our Govern
ment for sucn protection.
The difficulty which arises is illustrated by
the efforts already made by local authorities to
punish those accused. 1t appears that fifteen
or more of the miners charged with having
taken part in the massacre have been arrested,
and that the other miners nevertheless regard
the situation with Indifference, believing that
the persons accused have nothing to fear even
if brought to trial" This statement implies
belief that the popular feeling is so strong
against the foreign miners that the laws for the
protection of life and the maintenance OF order
cannot be enforced. If this proves to be the
fact, the position Of the United States Govern
ment will be the more difficult because the out
break occurs, not in an organized State, in
which unGer the theory of our Government tho
punishment of ordinary offences is left entirely
to State authorities and State courts, but in n
Territory which is yet under the direct control
of the Federal authorities. 1t will be claimed,
with much reason, that though tho United
States would have had no occasion TO interfere
IN case of a complete failure of justice in New
York. Ohio, or Pennsylvania, nev ertheless 1t Is
the exclusive duty of the United States to see
that it's treaty obligations are fully respected
within the Territories
Ii is stated that the Chinese authorities
have been preparing for some time past detailed
information IN regard 10 other acts of violence
of a similar character, concerning which they
had mcditated earnest representations TO our
Government. IL cannot be denied that the
number of such outbreaks has given oc-
casion for complaint to the Chinese authorities
and that their appeal to the Government for a
more satisfactory enforcement of its own laws
and performance of its treaty obligations with
respect to Chinese subjects temporarily resid-
inn and o,nuloved I'm this ,ounfrv will dpseryp
serious consideration. The question whether
the further immigration Of Chinese workers
ought to be permitted or prevented by more
stringent laws does not here arise. In any case,
the United States is under obligations to com
ply faithfully with the teims of the treaties now
in force, and to give to the Chinese who are
lawfully in this country the protection to which
under those treaties they arc entitled