The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-05-19
IN A QUANDARY.
The PcrpleXing Chinese Question Took
Up the Entire Time of the
Cabinet Yesterday
The Law Cannot BE Enforced As
There is No Money to Carry
Out Its Provisions.

WASHINGTON, May 1G.-The Chinese
question occupied the entire attention of
the cabinet meeting today. Before the
meeting Chief Justice Fuller, who dis
sented from the decision Of the supreme
court, called at the white house and had
a brief talk with the president. Subse-
quently he had an interview with Secrc-
tary Gresham. 1t is understood that
the conclusion reached by tho cabinet
was that the law could not be enforced
for the reason that there was no money
available for the purpose. The act only
carries an appropriation of 100000.
Secretary Carlisle showed that not more
than $4,000 of that sum remained. 1t
1t was estimated that il would cost to
deport all Chinese now in this country
who have not complied with the law
more than S6,000,000. This statement
exhibited what one member of the cabi-
net called the utter inability Of tie gov
ernment to give any effect to the law
without furi ar action by congress.
Under the cl 'umstances it was under
stood that nothing could be done at
present. and it is said there is little, if
any, probability Of the federal govern
ment making any immediate effort TO
put the law into effect.
One prominent member af the cabinet
who is regarded as a man of great force
and strength of character, made the
broad assertion after the session was
oyer that the law was nothing short Of Il
political scheme enacted for political cf-
feet, and he intimatcd that there had
been general hope among his associates
that the court would have held it TO he
unconstitutional. 1t is assumed that in
the ordinary course of diplomatic usage
copy of the decision Of the supreme
court as soon as majority of the mem
bers of the court have determined upon
its exact phraseology, will be transmit
ted to the Chinese minister, to be by
him forwarded to his government. This
will necessarily involve considerable de-
lay and congress will probably
be in session before a reply can
be made to this communication.
1t is evident that the administration was
surprised by the decision and that the
situation is very perplexing. With the
constitutionality of the law settled it is
embarrassing not to be able to enforce it,
| but in the absence of money for the eX-
penses of deporting the Chinese there
seems nothing that can be done. 1t the
Chinese would simply accept the situa-
ton and comply with the law it would
simplify matters, but the impression
that most Of them will not do this but
will GIGfu nl 70 ha
expense of enforcing the law it is not by
session money would be appropriated.
The effects of the Chinese decision are
far reaching and envolve, according to
the views of many diplomats and naval
officers, the severance of our diplomatic
and commercial relations with the
Chinese empire. Thsy are firm in the
kind against the United States in the
event that the unregistered Chinese
are driven indiscriminately out of this
country, This is an extreme view of
the situation but is not regarded alto
gether AS an inprobability, as evidenced
by the fact that naval official are consld-
ering the question in connection with
the reorganization of the American
squadron in Chinese waters. On
the other hand at the state department
rumors and surmscs of Chinese retalia
ton arc not credited, not even intima
tions bearing on the report the Chinese
government intends to deport American
missionaries and all other citizens OF
this country has even come to the ears
of the department officials The i'm.
preston is quite general that the admin
| ietr al l,n n,S
orders to collectors not to make arrests
TO stand. The final solution of the prob
lem would seem to devolye on congress
and until that body assemblies it does
not appear that the law can be enforced