Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-11
CHINESE ARE UNEASY.
The Expected Enforcement Of the Geary Act
Causes Great Anxiety.

WASHINGTON, July l0-It comes from
cordiale between this country and China
already strained to perilous tension, is
on the point Of breaking altogether. The
Geary law is the cause.
Whether the situation becomes so
strained AS to break off all diplomatic re-
iations between the two countries depends
altogether on whether the extreme pro-
visions of the law are carried out to the
letter twill be remembered TINT shortly
utter the passage of the law "A report that
China had notified the state department
that should the law 90 into effect that
country would retaliate was published.
1t will also be remembered that the re-
port was promptly denied. 1t appears
that the denial was for state reasons. The
report
Was True to the Letter.
The state reasons were that the admins
tration believed that the threat from
China would not be put into execution.
After several months Of negotiation be-
tween Secretary Gresham and tue Chinese
minister the department has re.inquished
I'll hope Of the threat coming to naught
lnless congress should repeal the bill OF
practically repeal it by refusing or neglect
ing TO appropriate sufficient money to
carry ont its provisions.
China regards the Geary act as great
udisnity. aud that she has not resented it
re this by summarily withdrawing her
legation and severing diplomatic and COM
mercal relations, besides expelling Ameri-
:aHs from her shores. is due entirely to the
>kilful way in which Secretary Gresham
has handled the matter.
It is not known just what took place be
tween him and the Chinese minister here,
nut it is known that the latter, who called
at the state department in a decidedly )
belligerent frame of mind when the Geary
bill became a law, departed after an inter
view with much better opinion of the
situation.
That interview was in substance cabled
to China Upon receiving reply the min
ister made another call upon Secretary
Gresham, and since then has been at the
department frequently.
1t appears: however, that the temper oi
the Cbinaman has
Become More and More eresty
with every succeeding visit. His govern
ment appreciates the fact that this ad
ministration is not in sympathy with ths
tiesry law, but IL does not appreciate the
additional fact that the administration
can do nothing but see that the law is exc
sgted except to give its influence toward
securing its repeal.
There are, according to a state depart
ment authority, about 5000 Americans in
China today, and a number of the largest
commercial houses in the biggest Chinese
cities are owned and operated by Ameri-
CANS.
The trade between China and this coun
try is increasing China would rather seq
it increase than the trade between it and
any other nation, for the reason that shs
appreciates that the Americans are
simply After Her Doi'srs.
while nations like Great Britain, Franc<
and Russia are after her territory as well.
That the government is in doubt Is plair
from the precaution it Is taking By dis
patching the light draft vessels of th,
American navy TO Chine Sc waters. The-
e-sels are not sent in a bunch, neither Ar
they all directed to the same point Bn
the records show that they are to be neal
enough to one another TO rendezvous at
central point In very short time.
There will be no time for delay whei
China decrees that the Americans must 90
Immediately the people Of the country
learn that their government intends to ex
pei the Americans they are likely to lent
their primitive but effective aid.
That, as past experience shows, mean
indiscriminate slaughter. II this govern
ment can help it no such slaughter will b
permitted 1t Is to prevent it that oo
naval force In Chinese waters is beini
strengthened
1t may all come to a peaceful end. thi
present trouble. The Geary law may b
repealed. and the entente may bsconp
stronger than ever. But then again !
may not come to peaceful conclusion
should it not, well, the administrative
hslisves that it Il best to be prepared.