The morning call., 1893-05-17
1T LOOKS BAD.
Cleveland May Let
John Stay.
THAT LIES WITH HIM.
Considered at a Cabinet
Meeting.
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.
There Is Shortage in the
Deportation Fund.
DISSEMINATION TO ACT AT ONCE
Naval Men Talk of War, but That Is
Probably All the Scare
Amounts To.
DISSEMINATION TO ACT AT ONCE
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

W -A1AA4-fbAONs -uhs 1Os-1 Ib ADlDGSG
question occupied the entire attention Of
the Cabinet at lis meeting to-day. Before
the Cabinet meeting Chief Justice Fuller,
who dissented from the decision of the
Supreme Court, called at the White House,
and had brief talk with the President.
Subsequently the Chief Justice had an
interview with Secretary Gresham. 1t is
understood that the conclusion reached by
the Cabinet was that the law could not be
enforced for the reason that there is no
money available for the purpose. The act
only carries an appropriation of 100000.
and Secretary Carlisle showed that not
more than $4,000 of that sum remained
1t is estimated that it would cost Sc. .000, 900
to deport all the Chinese now in the couu-
try who have not compiled with the law
This statement showed what one member
OF the Cabinet called the utter inability
of the Government TO give any effect to the
law without further action by Congress
Under the circumstances it is understood
nothing would be done, and it is said there
is little If any probability of the Federal
Government making any immediate effort
to put the law into effect.
One of the prominen members of the
Cabinet. 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 political
scheme enacted for political effect. He
said, in fact, something about demagogy,
and he intimated that there had been
general hope among his associates that
the court would hold it to be unconstitu-
tional.
It is assumed that In ordinary courses
the decision Of the Supreme Court, as soon
as the majority of the members of the
court have determined upon its exact
phTaseoiOgy, VIII be transmitted to the
Chinese Minister TO be by him forwarded
TO his Government. This will necessarily
involve a considerable delay, and Congress
will probably be again in session before a
reply can be made TO the commEnIcati0n.
It is evident thai the Administration
has been surprised by tf6 decision and the
situation is very perplexing. With the
constitutionality Of the law settled it is en-
barrassing not to be able TO enforce it. In
the absence of money for The expense of
deporting, II the Chinese would simply
accept the situation and comply with the
law, it would simplify matters, but the I'M
preston is that most of them will not dc
this, but will resist as long as possible
As To the expense of enforcing the law it
IS not by any means sure that even if
Congress was in session the money would
be appropriated.
The effects of the Chinese decision are
far reaching and involve, according to the
view Of many diplomats and naval officers,
the severance Of our diplomatic and CON-
merciaI relations with the Chinese empire.
They are firm in the belief that the
CelestIals will retsliate in kind against the
United States in the event of the un-
registered Chinese being driven lndis-
erlminatelY out Of this country
This is the extreme view of the situa-
ton. But that itis notregarded altogether
Rs an impro bability is evidenced by the
fact that the naval officials are considering
the question in connection with the reor-
ganization 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
On that station. Now, however, it may be
necessary 10 keep large fleet In Chinese
waters, and the consideration of this ques-
tion is delaying the settlement of the ques-
tion Of the assignment to stations Of the
vessels now composing the naval review
feet.
On the other hand. at the State Depart
ment the rumOrs and surmises Of Chinese
retaliation are not given eredence. Not
even an intimaton bearing on the truth Of
the report that the Chinese Government
intends TO deport American missionaries
and all other citizens of this country
comes 10 the ears of the department Off
cials. W. W. Rockhill, chief clerk of the
State Department, who has correspon-
dents in the Chinese diplomatic service,
and also number Of American friends in
that country. says he has not heard a word
concerning retaliation. and. Furthermore,
that there is hardly any likelihood that
such action will be considered, much less
taken.
The impression is quite general that the
administration will have to allow its PRES
ent orders to Collectors not TO make ar
rests to stand. The final solution of the
problem would seem to devoIve on Con-
gress, and until that body assemblies it
does not appear that the law can be en-
forced.
Secretary Carlisle received many tele-
grams to-day asking for suspension of
the operations OF the law for at least six
months. The best opinion obtainable on
the subject in the Treasury Department is
that the law is explicit on the point OF
having set the 9th day of May as the last
day upon which registration could be
made. and consequently that it Is beyond
the power even Of the President to extend
this limit.
Among the kilograms received by Secre-
tary Carlisle was one from the attorneys
of the Chinese Six Companies, who also
ask for suspension Of the law. Treasury
officials acquainted with the record Of the
DIX Companies during the past three or
1our years regard this request, coming
from them, as rather surprising in It's ceoi
assurance. These officials assert that of
the 10000 Chinese now in the United
States probably one-third came into the
country Illegally, and that the Six Com
panies persstently encouraged tba viola
tlon oil the law by furnishing transporta-
lion from China 10 this country 10 China
men, supplying them with fraudulent
certificates on their arrival and taken col
lateral from them when they landed in the
United States for moneys advanced for
their passage. In fact, the Six Companies.
Ii is asserted, have practically mortgages
upon the labor of thousands of Chinese for
years TO come, and IL They now be deported
10 accordance with the decision of the Su-
preme Court the Six Companies will lose
hundreds of thousands OF dollars advanced
by them to Chinese immigrants.
Secretary Gresham was seen this morn
ing. bat declined to discuss the matter.
stating that thsre was nothing new and
nothing 10 talk aDout No action concern
Ing The exclusion law from diplomatic
standpoint had yea been taken by the State
Department. and the Chinese Minister In
Washington had nSt communicated with