The morning call., 1893-09-09
SHIPS FOR CHINA.
There May Not Be Any
Retaliation
BUT UNCLE SAr1 IS READY,
1t Seems to Have Been Determined
to Enforce the Exclusion
Law at Last.

WASHINGTON. Sept. S.-One of the
questions discussed at the Cabinet meet
ing Today was that relating to Chinese
deportation, and it seems to be the i'm
preston here iu official circles that the
administration Will at least make some
show of enforcing the law. This was
practically decided at to-day's meeting.
White and Geary have impressed Cleve-
land, Carlisle and Gresham with the be-
lief that some action, though it may be
only perfunct0ry, is necessary to the fu-
tuTe success of the Democratic party on
the coast. Neither Cleveland. Carlisle nor
Gresham sympathizes with the anti-Chluese
sentiment, and their enforcement of
Geary's law will be feeble at the best
That the administration is not over
sanguine that the Chinese Government
viii regard even a perfunctory enforce
ment of the GeaTy exclusion law with
peaceful eQuanimity seems to be well es-
tablished by its active efforts to increase
the American naval force in Chinese
waters. The Chinese Government may
not attempt violent retaliation against
American citizens and American interests
in the FoweTy Kingdom but it is deemed
prudent TO be prepared in time for such an
emergency. Heretofore almost any vessel
of the navy was regarded as good enough
for service on that station, and a present
the feet is composed entirely of old-time
wooden ships of war. Arrangements have
been made, however, for a change, and it
Is now in progress. Nearly the entire
present feet is 10 be replaced with new
steel ships, with the best of modern arms
and equipment
The gun boat Concord is now on her way
TO China and will reach Singapore in few
days. The gunboat Petrol has been re-
leved from duty with the Bering Sea
patrol fleet, with orders to proceed direct
to China. The original purpose Of having
her repaired at San Francisco before her
return TO the land of MoDgols has been
abandoned as causing unnecessary delay,
and whatever repairs are necessary will be
made on the Chinese station. The fleet
will also be increased by the addition of
the cruiser Baltimore, which has started
from New York for China and will make
the voyage by the shortest route through
the SueZ canal. She will relieve the
wooden frgate Lancaster as flagship of
the squadron. The Lancaster will return
home soon after being relieved and will be
put out # commission for repairs. The
.acta already on her way homo from
nina aud is due at San Francisco about
2;e epd of the month
'Ene svailabe vessels now on the Chinese
stat'0 y are the Lancaster, Marion and
Monocaeys all of them od-time wooden
ships. The three recruits, Baltimore. Con-
cord and Petrol, are modern steel vessels.
In fact, the first named is the fastest as
well as the most powerful vessel that has
ever represented the United States in those
waters. The two gunboats. especially the
Petrol. which is the smaller, will be par
tieHlarly useful in river navigation, be-
cause of their light draught. The pressing
necessity for more vessels of this class
will undoubtedly hasten the construction
OF three other gunbOats authorized by
Congress, and of which two are TO be built
with special reference to service in the
rivers.
Secretary Carlisle to-day received dis
patch from Collector Wise at San Fran
cisco, saying he could make arrangements
TO deport Chinese in lots of twenty at S35
per head