The record-union., 1893-05-17
1t Occupies the Entire Attention of
the President and Cabinet.
NO MONEY TO CARRY OUT THE
ORDER OF THE COURT.
The Matter VIII Probably Lie In
Abeyance Until Congress Con-
venes-Prominent Officials of the
Navy Hint at the Possibility of a
War Between the United States
and the Flowery Kingdom.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-The Chinese
question occupied the entire attention of
the Cabinet at a 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 Pres
ident Subsequently the Chief Justice
had an interview with Secretary Gresham.
1t is understood the conclusion reached
by the Cabinet was that the law could not
be enforced. for the reason that there is no
money for the purpose. The Act only
carries an appropriation of 100000 Sec
rotary Carlisle showed that not more than
$4,000 of that sum remained. 1t is esti-
mated that it would cost to deport all the
Chinese now in the country who have not
complied with the law more than &c.
000,000. 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 by Congress. Under the circum-
stances, it is 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 effect.
One prominent member 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
demogogy and intimated that there had
been general hope among his asso-
ciatos that the court would hold it to be
unconstitutional.
1t is assumed in the ordinary course of
the Supreme Court that as soon as the
majority of the members of the court de-
termine upon its exact phraseology it
will be transmitted to the Chinese Min
lister, to be by him forwarded to his Gov
ernment. This will necessarily involve
considerable delay and Congress will
probably be again in session before a re-
ply can be made to the communication.
1t is evident that the Administration
was surprised by the decision and the
situation is very perplexing. With the
constitutionality of the law settled it is
very EN- barrassing not to be able to en-
force it, but in the absence of money for
the expense of deporting the Chinese, if
they would simply accept the situation
and comply with the law it would sim
plify matters, but the impression is that
most Of them will not do this, but will
resist as long as possible. AS to the ex-
pense OF enforcing the law, it is not by
any means sure, if Congress was in ses-
sion. the money would be appropriated.
The effects of the Chinese decision are
tar-reaching, and involve, according the
view of many diplomats and naval Off
GERS, the severance of our diplomatic and
commercial relations with the Chinese
Empire. Prominent officers Of the navy
who have canvassed the situation in
very thorough manner confidently be-
lieve that the relations between this Gov
ernment and China will soon become so
strained that all friendly connections will
cease to exist and war be declared. 1t is
not thought that the advisers of the
young Emperor of China will peacefully
submit to the forcible deportation of
Chinese from this country, provided that
the new provisions of the amended Ex-
clusion Act are rigidly enforced.
In certain departments of the Chinese
Government the progress of American
missionaries is regarded with alarm, and
the Geary Act might serve as a reason
able pretext for the expulsion of the
evangelists from the empire.
The policy of the Emperor of China is
largely guided by the counsel of his
mother, who clings closely to all the pre-
JUDGES and superstitions of her race.
She looks upon foreigners, and particu-
larly missionaries, with no friendly eyes.
and is reported to have frequently urged
that their movements and actions be re-
stricted. She has taken considerable in
terest in the present troubles in the
United States, and little doubt is ex-
pressed here that she will urge the EN-
Peror to adopt retaliatory measures.
This is an extreme view of the situa-
tion, but that it is not regarded altogether
as improbable is evidenced by the fact
that naval officials are considering the
question in connection with the reorgani-
zation of the American squadron in Chi
nese waters. The original plan was to
substitute the steel cruiser Baltimore for
the wooden ship Lancaster as flagship of
the station. 1t is now thought it may be
necessary to have large fleet in Chinese
waters.
There is great danger of uprisings of
Chinese against white immigrants, and
fears are expressed concerning the prob
ability of a repetition of the frightful mas
sacres of a few decades ago. The out
breaks which would necessarily follow
the enforcement of the exclusion law on
the Pacific Coast would only serve to add
fuel to the war flame and place the two
nations in such a position that hostilities
would naturally result. American naval
men say that there could be only one re-
suit to war between the American Re-
public and the Chinese Empire, and that
it would be only short time when the
Celestials would be making overtures for
peace.
The greatest uneasiness, however, pre-
walls regarding the safety of Americans
in China. The consideration of this cues
ton is delaying the settlement of the
question of assignment to the stations OF
vessels now comprising the naval review
fleet.
On the other hand, at the State Depart
ment the rumors and surmises of Chi
nese retaliation are not given credence to-
Not even an intimation bearing on the
report that the Chinese Government in
tends to deport the American mission
aries and all other citizens of this country
has come to the ears of the department
ofHnislS w II Hockhill Chief Clark of