The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-09-01
THE DAILY AsTOklAN FRIDAY MORNING sEPTEMBEG iisss

was captured by a vessel Of Admiral
ncwcy's feet near Luzon.
The report that Consul Bedloe had
been placed under suspension appeared
but few days ago In Washington dis
patches, In which II was said Sugpen-
sion had resulted from charges made
IN behalf of Chinese government and
and flcd at the state department by
Minister WI protesting against the
alleged actions Of Chung, Chinese In
terprcter for the u. s. consulate at
Canton, and alleging that Consul Bed
ioe had violated the treaty stipula-
tions.
II am not under suspension" said
Consul Bedloe. In speaking OF these
charges. II am away from my post
on sixty days leave Of absence for
which made application some four
months ago and which Is in no way
dlaelmllar 20 other leaves OF absence
that have been granted me since
entered the consularl service.
Whatever charges may have been
preferred against me at the state de-
partment. mus, decline to discuss. at
least untii know their source
aud contents. Thus far have not been
Informed ofici4lly that any charges
have been laid against me. The first
intlmation had to that effect was
when. on arriving In this country. /
saw the reports IN the newspapers.
An American registry was grant
cd TO the steamer Abbey. Il Is true. but
this was done more Than a year ago
and at a time when the Fillplnos werc
regarded as SilIes % the United States.
The charge that am In sympathy with |
the Filipinos is rank nonsense. The
Abbey Ia vessel so small as 10 be Of |
no Importance and when the American
registry was granted, the boat was un.
der bond TO the Chinese government tr |
make a trip to Singapore. The bonds
were forfeited"
Concerning the Interpreter Of whose
action complaint is said TO have beer
made. DR.. Bedloe said
Chung is no longer connected with /
the consulate at Canton" Travelling
with Mr.. Bedloe was G. F. Lewis, OF
and he discussed the Abb !
hey affair more fully than the consul .
felt himself at liberty TO do.
1T appears" said Mr.. Lewis. that
the Abbey incident has been magni-
fed When Consul Widman was me-
go,latlng with the insurgent leaders
in July and August OF last year.
them TO be allies Of the United
States Il has been learned since that
the FillpInos were then planning in Sc
cret to fight the American troops. "a
mere chance threw in their way an
opportunity to purchase arms. A re-
Dellion had broken out In the Canton
district and It's viceroy sent to Hong
Kong for 5000 stands OF Mauser rifles
With which to put down the uprising.
rhe rifles were purchased from a Ger
nan hrm and the stamer Pasig. fiy-
ng the British flag. was chartered 10
AXE them up the Canton river. When
he arms upon arriving at their des-
ination, were condemned and thrown
'aok on the hands Of their owners,
'aptain Charles Ellis. an American,
ought them. changed It's name to the
lbbey and had It transferred to Amer
,an registry,
Singapore was named as the desti-
ation Of the boat. which is OF 100 tons
urthen and barely seaworthy and It {
'as stated that the arms were TO be
or TO the rajah there. Commissioner 1
brew. former Bostonlan. In charge :
( Chinese customs would not allow
he boat to depart until bond in the
dm OF $4,000 had been given binuing
he captain to deliver the cargo at
ingapore and nowhere else.
After the Abbey put to sea a storm
early wrecked her and 1t put in at
lampoa, in the Canton district. That :
as the last heard from It until the
,port came that 1t had been seized !
y the McCulloch In the Philippines, !
nd also, am Informed, the question {
neither 1t was a rightful prize is still
lie subject OF controversy, The boat
as without papers when taken and i
nd on board only % rifles. 1t is be- Z
eyed the Filiplnos had landed the :
rms before the boat was overhauled.
tories to the effect that Chinese in
'rpreters OF counsulates sold Ameri- c
IN registration papers without even =
le knowledge or approval Of consuls, /
regard as unfounded. A consul, un- G
So he understands the language Of \
N is at the mercy of his interpreter" =