Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-09-14
A CHANGE OF FRONT.
The Administrations Wiu Not Enforce
the Goary Law.

WAsHINGToN, Sept II. There is no
longer any question about the fact that the
administration has temporarily suspended
tho orders given last week for the enforce
mept of the Chinese exclusion act.
This change is due to diplomatic inti-
NATION on tho part Of the now Chinese min
lister that il such a course were taken by
our government his imperial higbness, the
Chinese emperor, would no longer be respon-
sible for the lives and property OF Ameri-
cans in China.
The protest on the part Of the Chinese
minister, who bad another talk with Secre-
tary Gresham to-day, is said to have been
made in no uncertain tonel He said dis
tinctly that IL harm befell Americans in
China and they were driven out OF that
country, the responsibility for this very
regretablo fact would rest with the gov
ernmcnt OF the United States,
He could not believe that "a Christian
government would institute race war
which his Uhe Chinese government was
ever anxious to avoid. Secretary Gresham
explained the law, but that did not affect
the Chinese minister In the least. lie evil
IDENTIFY came here from China with instruc-
tions to make it unmistakably clear to the
United States government that China
forced and Cuiunmen in the Uuited States
forcibly sent home.
Concessior Granted.
The one concession his government was
apparently willing to make was that II the
Chinese were allowed another year in which
to register then the enforcemen OF the law
might not bs opposed by China 1t is said
by those who know, that the Chinese minis
ter has not distinctly offered to accspt such
a change, but has intinatod that it might
be accepted by his govern ment.
This explains the Introduction In the
House by Il representative Of the admins
tration of a bill to extend until September,
1894, the time for registration. 1t is prob
able that this bill will became a law. The
last clause in the bill provides that pro
ceedng for a violation of the provision, OF
the act of May ), 1892, as originally enact
ed, shall hereafter be instituted and all the
proceedings for said violation now pending
are hereby discontinued.
Tho LAW suspended.
During last week in response to urgent
solicitations the treasury department was
on the point of issuing general instruction.
for the enforcement OF the Geary law. AT
this point the halt was called and no gen
/ eral lnstructlons were issued ana none VIII
probably be issued for some time to come.
| Ia tho meantime, however, on the com
| plant Of individual citizens Of Los Angeles
Cal, several Chinese have been arrested
and have been found guilty by United
States Judge Ross of being in the United
States in violation OF the Geary law, and
warrants have been issued by the court tx
United States Marshal Guard for their de
portation.
1t is here where the most serious embar-
rassment comes in. Tue United States
government could not place itself in CON
tempt of court and at the sans time treaty
obligations called for some diplomatic con
sideration TO be given to the protest Of the
| Chinese minister.
Accordingly, Attorney General Oney in
structed Marshal Guard to carry ont tue
law as to deportation as far as the funds or
hand for that purpose will admit intnat
ing tnat when they are exhausted the de
portation will have to cease until further
action by Congress.