The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-19
THE CHURCHES TAKE A HAND.
Pstitioning tho President in Regard to the
GenrY ExnluAlnn Ank.


tho President in Regard to tho
Geary Exclusion 40.
New YogK. May 18.--Ths Methodist For
oi0n Missionary society hnB decided TO
mako final appeal TO the president against
the immediate enforcement OF the Chinese
exclusion law. Tho appeal. as formulated,
says; "We earnestly beseech tho president
TO use all means within his power to meet
the Just wishes of the Chinese government.
ana II 1t be yet possible to secure through
diplomatic action, such an agreement be-
tween the two counties az will secure
peace and harmony" Tho following was
also issued: "In this time OF peril 20 our
missionary interests In China and OF dis
honor to the fair name of America. because
OF unriRhteous and oppressive legislation.
We deem II of tho utmost importance that
the whole church look to God for his divine
mend that Sunday. May 20. be observed ns
day OF special prayer throughout the
country. that our government may bo
led TO just and right action In this emerR-
ENJOY. and that snch a solution OF the pend
Ing question may be reached as shall save
missionary interests in China from disaster
and secnre inst treatment of the Chinese in
this country"
The Presbyterian board Of missiona riea
has ordered letters to be written to the four
missions in China, in which injunctions to
caution the conservative action were en-
larRed on, and adding. "it seems to rs de-
sirable that whilo matters are in suspense
all of our missionaries should be in a stua-
lion where prompt communication will be
possible and that visits to the interior
should not be undertaken unless proper
precautions nre taken. The chief danger
hpprehended is a sudden UPRISING as the
result OF false reports scattered among the
people who may take action before the gov
ernment can interfere"
WASHINGTON, May 18.-Durin2 the inter
view between Secretary Gresham and the
Chinese minister Yesterday the minister as
sured the SEQ etary that he believed the
Chinese government would not resort to
any retaliatory measures. and thee would
be nothing done by his government that
would disturb the present friendly relations
between the United States and China. lhe
minister was Of the opinion that no trouble
would result from the law.
Assistant Secretary Curtis, OF the treas
ury department, has been called upon to
decide whether Chinese saloon keeper is q
laborer or merchant. A Chinaman en-
gagged in the saloon business left New Yofk
for visit 10 his home In China about six
months ago and has now returned. He ia
denied entrance and the case has como here
for final decision.
The mandate of the supreme court of the
United States to the circuit court for the
southern district of New York, affirming
the decision of that court in the exclusion
cases. was transmitted Yesterday. This
disposes of the matter finally unless the
case again comes before the court on new
question. The present indications are
pointing strongly to the assumption that
copy of the majority opinion of the court
will certainly forwarded TO the Chinese
government through diplomatic channels
before any extended system OF hostile ac-
tion under the law will be inaugurated
Tho probabilities seem TO favor a pro
longed status quo on the Chinese expulsion
question.
DETROIT, Mich, May 18.-Three China.
men who evidently rowed across from Can
ada are being hold by the federal officers
who have sent to Washington for instruc
tions as to their disposition. They are ii
doubt as to what they should do with th
celestials. in view of the recent orders sus
pending arrests under this Geary exclusion
law.
| PORTLAND, Ore. May 1S.-Twelvs Chi.
nese called to-day at the internal revenue
office and expressed . desire to register
They were refused.