Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-12
THE GEARY LAW.
A Halt Called In It's Execution-The CHI
mesa Minister'S Protest,


By telegraph to the Dispatch)
WASHINGTON. Sept. 1l.-Thet state
,nert that IL was believed the President
had called a halt in the execution OF the
Geary law pending some further legisla-
ton by congress, It can now De stated
authoritatively. was correct. NO orders
have been issued to United States CHI
nese inspectors United states marshals
or other United States officers different
u or in conflict with the orders issued
shortly after the decision of the Supreme
Court which upheld the constitutionslity
OF the Gearv law. The orders then issued
directed United States officers 20 enforce
all laws against the Chinese except the
Geary law. and to await further instruc-
lions before they began the enforcement
of that law.
During the last week. In response to
urgent solicitations. the Treasury De-
partment was on the point of issuing gem
eral instructions for the enforcement or
the Gearv law. At this point diplomatic
difficulties. I'm the nature OF official pro-
tests from the new Chinese Minister,
Yang Yu arose and n halt was called,
and no general instructions were issued,
and none will probably be Issued FOR
however. on the complaint OF individual
citizens of Los Angeles. Cal, several
Chinese have been arrested and have been
found guilty bv United States Judge Ross
OF being In the United States in violation
OF the Geary law. and warrants have
been Issued to the court to United States
Marshal Guard for their deportation.
1t is here that the most serious en-
barrassment comc1in. The United states
government could not place itself In
contempt of court: AZ the same time
treaty obligations with China called for
some Diplomatic consideration TO be given
TO the protest OF the Chinese minister.
Accordingly. Attorney General Olney in
structed Marshal Guard to carry out the
law as to decoration as far "a the funds
on hand for that purpose will admit. in
tImating that when they a.e exhausted
the deportation will have to cease until
further action by congress.
Yang Yu. the new Chinese minister.
visited the State Department this morn
Ing and received official confirmation
from Secretary Gresham OF the purpose
OF the administration to suspend further
action under the Geary exclusion act
pending the action of congress on meas
ures contemplating important changes in
that law
IhlS sudden cnange Oh 'front.' IN tne
policy OF the government for the strict
enforcement Of the deportation clause of
the law against unregistered Chinese is
said to haze been the result of IL Wig
orous protest on the part of the Chinese
government. coupled with the intiIuation
that - the event of such action that
government would not longer assume re-
sponsbilitv for the future safety OF Amer
leans I'm Chinese territory.
The Attorney General has instructed
United States marshals TO take no further
steps for the enforcement OF the law pend
ing specific instructions TO the contrary
from Washington These Instructions do
not apply. however, 10 Chinese already in
progress Of deportation by due process
OF law. Mr.. J. Hubley Ashton, OF coun-
sci for the Chinese. applied to the Treas
ury Department to-day for 4 stay OF
proceedings In the case OF the Chinese
recently ordered back to China by the
District Court at Los Angeles He was
referred to the Department of Justice
and was there informed that the depart
ment will not interfere in cases that have
already been passed on by United states
courts