Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-09-21
A WEIGHTY CHINESE PROTEST.
The Celestial Government objects 10
GEN. Otis Exclusion Order with
Dignity and Emphasis.

Washington, Sept. 19.-The imperiar
Chinese government, through its min,
lister here, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, has
lodged with the state department an,
emphatic protest against the military
order of Gen. Otis excluding Chinese
from the Philippines. Neither the state
department. nor the Chinese legation
will give any information concerning
the protest, but from entirely reliable
quarters it is learned that it insists
that Gen. Otis action is contrary to
international law, in violation OF eX.
listing treaties and complete disregard
of the friendly relations which have
been so long maintained between the
two countries.
Promptly Laid Before the President
The matter was promptly brought
to the attention of the president as the
protest was of such a character as to
give the subject an international as
pect considerably beyond the purely
military questions involved. 1t is said
that China points out that she has well
coined 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
countries, particularly in their neigh
boring possessions.
Opposed to the Presidents Order.
Furthermore, it is understood, that
among the specific points of the pro-
test submitted by the Chinese govern
ment is one to the effect that such an
order is departure from the an
nounced purpose of the president of
the United States to maintain the
present status of affairs in the Philip
pines until congress had determined
a permanent condition.
Referred to Secretary Root.
The military phases of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root.
Owing to his familiarity with interna-
ticnal law he probably will consider
the subject broadly, both in its inter-
national as well as its military as
poets.
As a Military Necessity.
Gen. Otis order was Issued some time
ago without direction from Washing
ton and apparently as a military
necessity, although 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 us military gov
ernor of the Philippines and by Brig.
Gen. Charles A. Whitaker as collector
of customs having supervision of Chi
nese affairs. He says:
1.-The laws of the United States which
prohibit the entrance of Chinese will.
be enforced here
Chinese Who Are Excepted.
The decree then excerpts such Chi
nese as have previously lived in the
Philippines and who hold certificates
showing this fact. Il also excerpts
Chinese officials, travellers, etc., eX-
cepted under the treaty between the
United States and China. Provision is
made for registering the Chinese in
the Philippines and their deportation
to China in case of failure to register.
As very few Chinese other than chose
now in the Philippines come within
the exceptions the effect of the decree
is to make the exclusion practically
absolute.
Reported to the War Department..
Gen. Otis made a report to the war
on April 1 last on the exc
cution of the decree. lie said that only
Chinese in good health, who had previ-
ously resided in the Philippines were
permitted to land at Manila, Cebu or
Iloilo-the only three open ports in
the archipelago. lie also explained the
methods of registering, f. es, etc.
Regarded With Apprehension.
It is understood that the Chinese
government regards the outcome Of
this protest with much apprehension.
1t is pointed out that the Chinese have
been long established in the Philip
pines and that considerable branch
of the industry of the islands is con-
Quoted by them and that this complete
termination of long-cstablished COM
between China and the
Philippines Injuries these people both
personally and materially.
Courteous, but Pointed.
The Chinese protest Is said to be
ccuched III the most dignified and
courteous terms, but to be so pointed
that no doubt is left rs to the deep
the Chinese government
feels over this order of Gen. Otis.