The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-11
CAUTIOUS MINISTER DENNY.
He Knows Nothing About the Chinese, and
Is Afraid to State His Attitude.

| Interview in San Francisco Post.
| 'All want is to be fairly treated by the
| press" said Col. Charles DENLY, the newly
| appointed Minister to China The remark was
| addressed to q Post reporter, who was introduced
to the gentlemen the smoking room of the
| Pullman palace car this morning at Sacramento
| The Colonel had finished battle with the we'll
known sandwich Of that benighted burg, and its
coffee which is unequaed in the land. The re-
| porter dropped into profered seat, and took a
| general survey of the new Minister. He was
| surrounded by passengers who seemed to enjoy
| the situation, as he placidly pulled away at an
| imported Chinese cigar of the wellknown Sacra-
mento street brand and prepared to stand off
| the interviewer
| Colonel DENLY is man who would attract
| attention in almost any gathering, partly
account of his height. which is over six feet,
| but more on account of his bearing, which Is
| quite commanding He is broad -shouldered, has
large head which is covered with close cropped
iron gray hair has a high beeting brow, deep
| sunk, clear, gray eyes, broad jaws and massive
chin, which tells plainly that he is possessed of
| bulldog determination. His face is clean shaved,
| and his manner generally pleasant. He looked
| the reporter calmly in the eye, and continued:
| 'Thus far, since my appointment have been
| misrepresentation right along by
the reporters, and don't think it is right / am
| perfectly willing to talk, as have nothing to
| conceal; but want fair treatment"
| Il wish to talk with you about the subject
| that most concerns Californans, and that is the
the people of this State in their antagonism to
| the Chinese?" ventured the reporter.
| MY dear sir, you are asking me to tell you
| somethlng-to give an opinion of something
| about which know little or nothing l do not
know the exact feeling of the Californians on the
| subject
| You certainly must have learned great deal
from the press about the matter9'
Perhaps could have done So but have had
| no incentive"
Have you any idea what the evils of Chinese
| immigration areF"
II might say that I have not. What can you
expect of one who has had his nose buried in
law and law books for the last thirty three wears
away off in the interior Of Indiana4 suppose
| know as much about them as the average citizen
just what L have gathered from the newspa-
pers. never saw a half dozen Chinese in my
| life before my appointment and never smoke to
but one in my life. How could know anything
| about them or their customs2'
would you like to be furnished with such
information regarding the Mongols in this cour-
try as the authorities OF San Francisco possessl7
Most certainly. That is just why / came
| here ten days before the steamer sails / want
to learn all ] car-to hear all sides of the cues
| ton and post myself on the matter. l don't
want any formal reception, but ! would like to
meet your citizens and hear what they have to
| say. You see am, you might say IN the dark
| yet about this mission. / am not informed on
| trade matters-dont know what can do in that
respect-but shall put forth my best efforts to
".
| Eastern papers, in published interviews with
me, omitted the part where l spoke Of Chinese
| immigration, and quoted only the remarks
| made about international trade"
Would you. like to meet the custom officials
| and discuss with them the Chinese cunning and
dupicity in evading the restriction actl"
| 81 expected to them and obtain what in
| formation they had to give"
''To come to the point, what course do you
propose to pursue on this question of Chinese
immigration"
Il shall administer the law, simply and to the
letter. That is all I can do. l am an executive
officer accredited to China, and all that devolves
me is to obey instructions. have had those
instructions from President Cleveland and Sec
rotary Bayard. You know how they stand on
the question Bayard voted for the restriction
bill, and that tells where he is."
What were President Clevelands instructions
to your
Colonel DENLY smiled a cool, quizzical smile,
and showed that his training lawyer had
not failed to make him most adept dodger of
questions.
ooh" said he, ''the President is queer man
/ had several interviews with him. He told me
to administer the laws properly; that the laws
were above me and above him. and that had
nothing to do but follow them. He's q great
man, tell you; has more force about him, and
is more up and up than any other 1 ever saw"
will you endeavor to induce the Chinese
government to co operate with the American
authorities In preventing infractions Of the
actl"
II shall perform my duty. It is not my bust
ness to construe the law. If it does not suit the
people of California, let them make better one.
what that means" said he. in a very forcible