Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-18

port all the Chinese now in the country
eho have not complied with the law
more than $4,000 900.
This statement exhibited what one
member Of the cabinet called 1.-THE utter
inability of the government to give any
effect TO the law without further action
by congress-" Under the circumstances
1t was understood that nothing could
he done and IL is said there is little II
any probability of the federal govern
ment making any immediate effort TO
put the law into effect.
One prominent member of the cabi-
net who Is regarded as man Of great
force and strength of character, made
the broad assertion, after the session
was over, that the law was nothing
short of n political scheme en-
acted for political effect (he said, in
fact, something about "demagogy"),
and he intimated that there had been II
general hope among his associates that
the court would have held il to be UNI
constitutional. 1t is assumed that in
the ordinary course of diplomatic usage
n copy of the decision of the supreme
court, ms soon as majority of the
members Of the court have determined
upon its exact phraseology, will be
transmitted TO the Chinese minister, to
he by him forwarded TO his govern
ment This will necessarily involve
considerable delay, and congress will
probably he again in session before
reply can be made TO his communica-
tion.
1t is evident that the administration
was surprised by the dc iision and that
the situation is vcrv pcrp'exing. with
the cOnstitutionality of the law settled,
II is embarrassing not 10 be able to en-
force il, but in the absence of money
for the expenses of dcporting the Chi
nesc there seems TO b, nothing that can
be done. II the Chinese would simply
accept the situation and comply with
the law. II would simplify matters. but
the impression is that most of them
will not do this but will remain MS
long rs possible. A. II the expense of
enforcing the law, II Is not 10y any
means sure that IL congress were In
session the money would he appropri.
nted
The effects of the Chinese decision
to the view of many diplomats and
naval officers, the severance of our
diplomatic and commercial relations
with the Chinese empire. They are firm
| In the belief that the cclestials will re-
tnliate in kind against the United
| States in the event that the unregis-
tered Chinese are driven indiscrimin-
ately out of this country This Is an
extreme view of the situation, but
that IL is not regarded altogether
MS an improbability is evidenced
| by the fact that naval officials
are considering the question in connec-
ton with the reorganization of the
American squadron in Chinese waters
The original plan was to substitute the
steel cruiser Baltimore for the wooden
ship Lancaster as the flagship of the
station. It is now thought that II may
be necessary to enlarge the feet and 10
substitute two or more modern ships
for those now in Chinese waters The
consideration of this question is delay
ing the settlement of the question of
the assignment of stations of the YES
sells now composing the naval review
fleet.
on the other hand, at the state de-
partment ruyors and surmises of Chi
nese retaliation are not given credence
to. Not even an intimation bearing on
the report that the Chinese government
intends to deport American mission
aries and all other citizens of this coun'
try has come to the ears of the depart
ment officials.
Mr.. w. W. Roclthill, chief clerk of the
state department, who has correspond
ents in the Chinese diplomatic service
and also number of American friends
in that country, says he has not hearC
word concerning retaliation anC
furthermore that there is hardly a like
lihood that such action will be consid
cred, much less taken.
The impression is quite general tina
the administration will have to allow
the present orders to collectors not I,
make arrests stand. The final solution
of the problem would seem to devolv,
ON congress, and until that body as
semhles il does not appear that the Law
can be enforced.
Secretary Carlisle received many tele
grams asking for suspension of tn
operations OF the law for at least 81
months. From the best information
obtainable on this subject in the treas
ury department is that the law is eN
plicit on this point, having set May
as the last day upon which registra
, ton could be made, and consequent
/, 1t is beyond the power of even the pres
dent TO extend this limit.