The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-17

CISCO
WAslulSoroS. D, g., May l6,-The
Chine ke question occupied the entire
atten4ion Of tho cabinet at its meeting
today. Before the cabinet meeting
Ctaiet Justice FulIer, who dissonsed
from the decision OF the supreme court,
called at the whito house and had a
briei talk with the President, subse-
quontly tho chief justice had IN inter
view with Secretary Gresham. It is
understood that the conclusion reached
by the cabinet was that tho law could
not be enforced for the reason that there
was no money available for that pur-
pose.
The act only carrieG an appropriation
OF 100000, Secretary Carlisle showed
that not more than $4,000 OF that sum
romain0d. 1t wns estimated that it
would cost to deport all the Cinnamon
now in tho country who have not COM
piled with tho law more than 81, ,000,0 ,00O
This statement exhibited what one
member OF the cabinet called tho utter
inability OF the government to give any
effect to the law without further action
by Congress-. Under the circumstances
it was understood that nothing could
be done, aud it ia said there Is little, il
any, probability OF the federal govern
ment making any immediate effort to
put the law into effect.
1t is assumed that In the ordinary
course OF diplomatic usage u copy OF the
decision OF the supreme court, as soon
IA the majority members OF the court
have determined upon its exact phrase
ology, will be transmitted to the Chi
nese minister, to be by him forwarded
to his government. This will neces-
Rarily involve considerable delay and
Congress will probably bc again in ses-
sion before q roply can bo 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 tho law settled
it lis embarrassing not to be able to en-
force 1t, but in the absence OF the
money for the expenses Of deportlng
the Chinese there seems to be nothing
that can be done. II the Chinese
would simply accept tho situation and
comply with tho law it would simplify
matters, but the impression Is that
most OF them will not do this, but will
resist as long as possible. As TO the OK
pense OF enforcing the law, it is not by
any means sure that II congress were in
session the money would be appro-
priated.
FAR REACHING EFFECTS.
The etiectsof the Chinese decision arc
far reaching and involve, according to
the view OF many diplomats and naval
officers, the severance Of our diplomatic
and commercial relations with the Chi
nese empire. They are firm in tho be.
lief that the CelestialS will retaliato In
kind against the United States, in tho
event that unregistered Chinese arc
driven indiscriminately out OF this
country.
This Is an extreme Wow OF the situa-
tion, but that it is not regarded alto.
gether as an improbabtlity Is evidenced
by the fact that naval officials arc con-
sidering the. question in connection
with the reorganization OF the Ameri-
can squadron in Chinese waters. The
original plan was to substitute the steel
cruiser Baltimore for the wooden ship
Lancaster as tho aagship OF tho station.
1t is now thought that IL may bo ncces.
sary TO enlarge the fleet, and to substi-
into two or moro modern ships for
those now in Chinese waters. The
consideration OF this question is delay
lug the settlement Of tho question Of
the assignment to stations OF tho yes.
sells now composing tho naval review
fleet.
On tho othcr hand, at tho state do.
pattmont rumors and surmiaes OF Chi
nose retaliation Rre not given crodonco
TO. Not evon an intimRIion bearing on
tho report that tho Chinese govern
ment intends TO deport American mis-.
sion0ries and all other citizons OF this
country has como to tho ears Of the de-
pattmOnt officials.
Tho impression 10 quite general that
tho administration will have to allow
tho present orders to collectors not to
make arrests TO stand. Tho final solu-
uon OF tho problem would SOON TO do
voIVe on Congress, and until that body
assemblies II docs not appear that tho
law can bo enforced.
Secretary Carlisle received many tole.
grams to-day asking for d suspension Of
tho operations Of tho law for at least six
months. Tho buBt opinion obtainnblc
on this subject In tho lroaaury depart.
mont Is that tho luw is explicit on this
subject having set tho 9th Of May Us
the last day upon which registration
could bO made, and consequently II Is
beyond the power Of oven tho President
TO extend this limit
oooL ASSURANCE.
Among tho kilograms received by Soc.
tOtory Carlisle was ono from tho aLtor.
ncyo Of tho Chinese "Six CompanIoi,"
who also ask for 4 suspension OF tho law
Ircgsnry officials acquainted with tho
record OF tho Blk Companies during tho
pu9tthtee or four years regard this ro.
quest coming from them aa rathor SUR.
pfislnR In cool assuranco. Tho officials
assert thnt Of tho 10000 Chinese now
~ tho United StatcB, probably ono.
third have uomU into this country lllo.
pnlly; that tho six Companies have nor.
l'tcnlly encouraged tho violation OF
mo law by furnishing transportation
from China to this country to China.