The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-19
PROTEST COMES FROM CHINA.
~ Is AGAINST GEN. OTIS ORDER AS
TO THE CHINESE.

objection to the Exclusion Act as
NDnIied in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ter WI Has Presented the Protest
of the Chinese Recommendations
ed That the Original State of At
fairs should stiII Stand-China Has
Taken Deep Umbrage at Ii.
Washington, Sept. 1s-The imperial Chi
nese government through its minister
mere Mr.. WI Ting Fang, has lodged with
the state department an emphatic protest
apainst the military order OF Gen Otis
excluding Chinese from the Philippines.
Neither the state department nor the
Chinese legation will give any informa-
ton concerning the protest. but from en-
tirelv reliable quarters it is learned thar
if insists that Gen. Otis action is con-
frary to International law, in violation of
existing treaties and in complete disre-
gard of the friendly relations which have
been so long maintained between the two
Countries. Minister WI called at the state
department last Friday and it is believed
he submitted the protest in person at that
time.
The matter was promptly brought to the
attention of the President. as the protest
was of such character as to give the sub
tect an International aspect considerably
beyond the purely military questions in
voved It is said that China points out
that she has welcomed the recent advent
Of the United States into the affairs of the
Far East and has hoped that this step
would prove further bond and would ex-
tend the relations between the two coun-
tries. particularly in their neighboriag
possessions.
Furthermore, it is understood that
among the specific points of protest sub
mitted by the Chinese government is one
TO the effect that such an order is de-
psrture from the announced purpose of the
President of the United States to maintain
rbe present status of affairs in the Philip
mines until Congress had determined a per-
manent condition.
Referred to Secretary Root.
The military phases of the question have
been referred 10 Secretary of War Root.
owing to his familiarity with interna-
tional law he probably will consider the
subject broadly, both in its international,
as well as in its military aspects. Gen.
Ous' order was issued some time ago
without direction from Washington, ana
apparently as a military necessity, al
though the Chinese protest urges that
there is no such military necessity, but
on the contrary, that the Chinese have
rendered valuable military assistance.
Gen Otis order is signed by himself
military governor of the Philippines and
by Brig Gen. Charles A. Whitaker as
collector of customs having supervision
of Chinese affairs. 1t says:
The laws of the United States, which
prohibit the entrance of Chinese, Will
be enforced here"
The decree then excerpts such Chinese
as have previously lived in the Philip
pines, and who hold certificates showing
this fact. 1t also excerpts Chinese officials,
travellers, etc, excepted under the treaty
between the United States and China. Pro
vision is made for registering the Chi
nese in the Philippines and their deport-
alton to China in case of failure TO reg
ister.
AS very few Chinese other than those
now in the Philippines come within the
exceptions, the effect of the decree is 10
make the exclusion practically absolute.
Gen. Otis Report of 1t.
Gen. Otis made a report to the war de-
partment on April l last, on the execution
o. the decree. He said that only Chinese
in good health, who had previously resided
IN the Philippines, were permitted to land
al Manila, Cebu or Iloilo-the only three
open ports in the archipelago. He also
explained the methods of registering, fees,
etc.
IL is understood that the Chinese gov
eminent regards the outcome of this pro-
test with much apprehension. II is point
ed out that the Chinese have been long
established in the Philippines, and that
a considerable branch of industry of the
Islands is conducted by them, and that
ins complete termination of a long es-
taDhshed communication between China
and the Philippines Injuries these people,
both personally and materially.
The Chinese protest is said TO be couched
in most dignifed and courteous terms, but
TO be so pointed that no doubt is left as
to the deep umbrage the Chinese govern
ment feels over this order of Gen. Otis.