Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-11
A HALT IS CALLED
In the Carrying Out Of the Geary
Law,
THE new CHINESE MINISTER'S PROTEST,
Further Action by Congress is
Deemed Necessary.
GEN. OLNEY'S INSTRUCTIONS.

The statement that 1t was believed the
President had called a halt in the execu-
ton Of the Geary law pending some further
legislation by Congress. it can now be
stated authoritatively, was correct. No
orders have been issued to United States
Chinese inspectors. United States marshals
or other United States officers different to
or In conflict with the orders issued shortly
after the decision Of the Supreme Court.
which upheld the constitutionality Of the
Geary law. The orders then issued directed
United States officers to enforce all laws
against the Chinese except the Geary law,
and to await further instructions before
they began the enforcement of that law.
Aa Official Protest.
During last week, in response to urgent
solicitations. the Treasury Department was
on the point of issuing general instructions
for the enforcement Of the Geary law. At
this point diplomatic difficulties. in the ma
nese minister, Yang Yu. arose and a halt
was called. and no general Instructions
were issued. and none will probably be is
sued for some time to come. In the
meantime, however, on the complaint 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 war
rants have been issued to the court to
United States Marshal Guard for their de-
portation.
1t Is here where the most serious embar-
rassment comes in. The United States gov
eminent could not place itself In contempt
Of court; at the same time treaty obliga-
lions with China called for some diplomatic
consideration to be given to the protest al
the Chinese minister. Accordingly, Attor-
ney General Olney instructed Marshal
Guard to carry out the law as to deporta-
ton as far as the funds on hanl for that
purpose will admit. intimatinG that when
they are exhausted the deportation will
have to cease until further action by Con-
gress.
The New Chinese Minister.
Jang Yu. the new Chinese minister, WIS.,
tied the State Department this morning
and received offciay confirmation from
administration tQ>suspend further action
under the GeafF exclusion act pending the
action m Congress on measures contem-
plating important changes in that law.
This sudden change or front in the policy
Of the government for the strict enforce-
ment of the deportation clause OF the law
against unregistered Chinese Is laid to
have been the result Of a vigorous pro-
test on the part Of the Chinese govern
ment, coupled with the intimation that
In the event of such action that government
would not longer assume responsibility Tor
the future safety Of Americans in Chinese
territory.
The Attorney Generals Instruction.
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 hot APP
ply, however. to Chinese already In progress
of deportation by due process of law. Mr..
]. Hubiey Ashton. OF counsel for the Chi
nese, applied to the Treasury Department
today for a 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
Department will not interfere In cases that
have already been passed on by the United
States courts.
An AmendatOry Measure.
In the meantime public attention centers
upon the bill introduced In the House on
Saturday by Representative Everett Of Ver-
mont. 1t is now fully admitted that this
is an administration bill and represents TIE
administration policy. 1t provides for ex-
tending the time of registration Of Chinese
labOrers until the list day of September
1894 for a certificate of residence. and any
Chinese }aborer within the United States
who shall neglect fail or refuse to COM
ply with the provisions of this act or who
after said LIST day Of September, 1894, shall
be found within the jurisdiction Of the
United States without such certificate Of
residence shall be deemed and adjudged to
be unlawfully within the United States and
may be arrested and deported from the
United States, as here!nbefore provided, I'M
less he shall establish clearly to the setis-
faction of the judge that by reason of ac-
cident, sickness or other unavoidable cause
he has been unable to procure his certii-
cate.
Should 1t appear that said Chiuaman
had procured a certificate which has been
lost or destroyed he shall be detained and
judgment suspended a reasonable time to
enable him to procure a duplicate from
the officer granting 1t. and in such cases
the cost of said arrest and trial shall be
in the discretion of the court. And any
Chinese person, other than a Chinese la
borer. having right to be and remain In
the United States desiring such certificate
as evidence of such right may apply for
and receive the same without charge
1t is also provided that no proceedings
for violation Of the provisions Of said
section six Of said act Of May 5. 1882 as
originally enacted shall hereafter he in
stituted. and that all proceedings for said
violation now pending are hereby dIscon-
tinued.