Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-17

day.
Before the Cabinet meeting Chief JUS
tice Fuller, who dissented from the de-
cision OF the Supreme Court, called at
the White House and had brief talk
with the President.
Subsequently, the Chief Justice had
an intervie with Secretary Gresham. II
is understood that the conclusion reach
ed by the Cabinet was that the law could
not be enforced, for the reason that
there was no money available for that
purpose.
The act only carries an appropriation
OF S1OO, 900. Secretary Carlisle Show%
that not more than $4,000 OF that sum
remained 1t was estimated that 1t
would cost 10 depOrt all the Cinnamon
now in the country who have not COM
piled with the law more than $4,000, 600.
This statement exhibited what one
member OF the Cabinet called the utter
inability OF the government to give any
effect TO the law without further action
bv Congress. Under the circumstances
II was understood that nothing could be
done, and it is said there Is little, II
any probability Of the federal govern
ment making any immediate effort TO
put the law into erect.
It's assumed that in the ordinary
course OF diplomatic usage copy of
the decision Of the Supreme Court, as
soon as the majority members Of the
court have determined upon its exact
phraseOlogy, will be transmitted TO the
Chinese Minister, TO be by him for
warded to bis government. This will
necessarily involve considerable delay
and Congress will probably be again In
session before 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 constl-
tutionality OF the law settled, it is en-
barrassing not TO be able TO enforce II,
but in the absence of the money for the
, expenses Of depOrting the Chinese
Mere seems TO be nothing that can be
done. If the Chinese would simply ac-
eHbt the situation and molly with the
law il would simplify matters, but the
impression is that most Of them will not
dothis, but will resist as long as possible.
AS 10 the expense OF enforcing the law,
it is not by any means sure that II
Congress were in session the money
would be appropriated.
The effects Of the Chinese decision
are far reaching aud involve, according
10 the view OF many diplomats and ma
val officers, the severance OF our dlDlo-
matte and commercial relations with
the Chinese Empire. They are 6rm In
the belief that the Celestials will retail
ate In kind against the United States,
IN the event that unregistered Chinese
are driven indiscriminately out Of this
country.
This is an extreme view ef the situa-
tiop, but that it is not regarded alto
Rether as an improbability is evidenced
by the fact that naval officials are con-
sidering the question In connection with
the reorganization OF the American
SQUADRON in Chinese waters. The orig
inal plan was to substitute fhe steel
cruiser Baltimore for the wooden ship
Lancaster as the flagship OF the station.
1t is now thought that il may be neces-
sary TO enlarge the aeet and TO Substi-
tute
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 10 stations of the vessels
now composing the naval review fleet.
On the other hand az the State De-
partment rumors and Surmises OF Chi
nese retaliation are not given credence.
Not even an intimatlon beariug on the
report that the Chinese gov
ernment intends to deDort American
missionaries, and all other citizens OF
this country has come TO the ears Of the
Department officials.
Mr.. w. w. ROakhtll, Chief Clerk OF
the state Department, who has cor
respondents in the Chinese Diplomatic
service, aud also number OF Ameri-
can friends In that country, says he
has not heard a word concerning re-
talliafion, and Furthermore that there
is hardly a likelihood that such action
will be considered, much less taken.
The impression is quite general that
the administration will have to allow
the preSent orders to collectors not to
make arrests TO stand. The final Solu-
tion OF the problem would seem TO de-
Volye on Congress, and until that body
assemblies it does not appear that the
law can be enforced.
Secretary Carlisle received may tele-
grams to-day, asking for a suspension
Of the operations Of the law for at least
six months. The best opinion obtSina-
able on this subject in the Treasury
Department is that
TIE LAW Is EXPLICIT
on this point, having set the fifth Of
May as the last day upon which regis
tratiOn could be made, and consequent
ly, it is beyond the power Of even the
President 10 extend this limit.
Among the kilograms received by Sec
retary Carlisle was one from the attor-
neys Of the Chinese Six Companies. who
also ask for a suspension OF the law.
Treasury officials acquainted With the
record OF the Six Companies during the
past three or four years regaFd this re-
quest, coming from them, as rather
surprising in cool assurance. The Ofi-
cials assert that Of the 10000 Chinese
now In the United States, probably one
third have eoms4 nto this country ille-
Agally; that thS Companies have per-
silently ehca sed the violation OF the
Nv by furL transportation from
hina to ountry TO Cinnamon;
npplyingI with fraudulent
krtihcatl r arrival, and taking
llatera % when they landed