The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20
InocuIation of All CeIestiaIs Begun
Against the Protest of the SUI
perstftious Heathen.
MUCH RESENTMENT SHOWN
ACTION OF HEALTH BOARD DE-
NOUNCED By THE CHINESE.
Statement by Surgeon General wy
man-Preventive and Curative
Serum Sent to the Coast.

SAN FRANC1SCO, Cal, May 19.-The
Board of Health has adopted a resolution
declaring that bubonic plague exists in San
Francisco. The health authorities say that
while there are no living cases here, there
have been six deaths during the past three
months, and they have decided to take pre-
cautions against the development and
spread Of the disease. The resolution which
was adopted late last night reads as fol-
lows:
Resolved. That II is the sense or this
board that bubonic plague exists in the city
and county of San Francisco, and that all
necessary steps already taken for the pre-
vention of its spread be continued, together
with such additional measures as may be
required"
This morning force Of physicians went
through Chinatown to treat Chinese with
hafkine prophylactic as a preventive
against the plague.
The members of the Board of Health say
that there is absolutely no danger of the
development or the spread of the disease
in San Francisco, but at the same time they
do not propose to take any chances, and it
is their duty to take precautions.
Later in the day the condition of affairs
in Chinatown as a result of the attempt
to inoculate the Inhabitants of that quar-
ter, became critical. All the large stores
and many of the smaller ones are closed
and little business is being done. The mer-
chants look upon the attempt to inoculate
them as an outrage and will not submit
to II. They assert that five Chinese bound
for the interior. were inoculated@ a few
days ago and that two have since died
from the effect.
Groups OF Chinese gathered on every cor
ner to-day and denounced the action of
the board as outrageous Some of the more
wealthy Of the indignant Chinese hurried
their families into hacks and other We
hicles in the attempt to send them out of
the district. Some succeeded in getting as
far as the city limits, where they were
stopped by the police. Others attempted to
leave the city on trains. Several merchants
endeavored to obtain passage on the steam
er America Maru, which sailed for the
Orient to-day, but there was no room for
them on the steamer.
The doctors detailed to inoculate the Chi
nese are to have very hard time of it,
every possible obstacle being placed in
their way by the Chinese. The consul gen.
eral is cooperating with the Board OF
Health as much as possible, but several
demonstrations among the Chinese have
cs used him to keep quiet in the matter. He
has urged his people repeatedly to submit
to the demands of the board. Yesterday a
small mob surrounded the consulate and
stoned the buildings. This action resulted
in detachment of police being detailed
to protect the consulate.
DR.. Vincent p. Buckley, member of the
Board of Health, stated to an Associated
Press reporter to-day that there have been
no deaths as result of inoculations. bulle-
tins posted in Chinatown by the Chinese
10 the contrary notwithstanding. DR.. Buck
ley stated that unless the Chinese submit
to the operations corps of police or SOL
diers will surround Chinatown and no one
but those supplied with a proper certih-
cate will be allowed to pass through the
lines. DR.. Buckley stated that while the
heads of the Six Companies seemed will
ing to cooperate with the board, so far
their efforts to influence their country
men had not proven success.
1t was thought tonight that it would not
be necessary to quarantine the Chinese dis
trict, as the Chinese are becoming more
reconciled to inoculation. 1t is understood
that the Chinese minister st Washington
had telegraphed his people to give no fur
ther trouble to the doctors.
1t was learned late tonight that the Chi
nese have retained attorneys to contes in
the court the right of the Board of Health
to compel them to submit to inocculation.
They claim that at the best inocculation is
but an experiment and they wish to pro-
tee their persons. They will also contest
the right Of the Board of Health to inter-
fere with the citys business in quarantine
ing the goods. The federal authorities are
cooperating with the local Board of Health
and the exits of the city are being guarded
to prevent the Chinese or japanese from
leaving the city.