country by the hundred, all declaring that they had special business at
the Fair.

Word was sent to the Secretary of the Treasury that over 2,000 Chinamen
had started for these shores to get the exhibit in order. This seemed so
serious, that the Government began to look into the matter.

Several weeks ago 179 of these undesirable immigrants came into the United
States, and another batch of one hundred and fourteen are waiting to
enter.

As you may suppose, such an invasion as this had to be stopped, and
stopped quickly.

The Secretary of the Treasury sent to the Attorney-General, and asked him
whether, under the new resolution, any and every Chinaman had to be
admitted to this country, or whether he had power to limit the number.

Mr. McKenna, the Attorney-General, gave it as his opinion that the
Secretary of the Treasury has full power to say how many shall be allowed
to enter the country.

The Secretary, Mr. Lyman Gage, then inquired of the Exposition company how
many Chinamen were really necessary to do the work for the Fair. Word was
sent back that only two hundred were required.

On receipt of this, the Secretary of the Treasury determined to put a stop
to the matter at once, and forbade the issuing of permits to more than the
necessary two hundred.