Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-09-01
EXPLAINS THE ABBEY AFFAIR
REGISTRY GRANTED WHEN FILL
PINOs WERE FRIENDLY.
Says He IL Away From His Post on
Leave of Absence-Is Sick In
ChicaEo-Hong Kong Man
Corroborntes the Con-
surs Story.

consul at Canton, China, halted in Chi
cago, and while here took occasion to deny
the report that he is under suspension and
to discuss the charges that have been filed
against him with the state department.
DR.. Bedloe arrived in Chicago on the
Overland limited from San Francisco. He
took a carriage and was driven at once
to the office of a physician, who. after
diagnosing his case. told him he was suf-
fering from malarial fever, and that 1t
would be imprudent for him to attempt to
finish his long trip without the interven-
ton of a day of rest.
At the Auditorium Annex it was said
mat Dr. Bedloe was worse, his tempera-
ture at one time being 1o2 degrees.
Charges were filed several months ago
with the state department against DR..
Bedloe. They allege that an American
registry had been furnished by Consul
Bedloe for the filibustering steamer Abbey
short time before it was captured by
vessel of Admiral Dewey near Luzon. The
| report that Consul Bedloe had been placed
under suspension appeared but a few days
ago in Washington dispatches in which
| it was said suspension had resulted from
| charges made in behalf of the Chinese
government and filed with the state de-
| partment by Minister WI, protesting
| against the alleged actions of Chung, Chi
nese interpreter for the United States con-
sulate at Canton, and alleging that Con-
| sui Bedioe had violated treaty stipuia-
tions.
| II am not under suspension said Con-
~ Il am % away N from ePas my post esd ON sixty days
leave of absence, for which ! made appli-
| cation some four months ago, and which
Is In no way dissimilar to other leaves OF
| absence that have been granted me since
| entered the consular service.
Whatever charges may have been pre-
| ferred against me at the state department,
must decline to discuss, at least till
| know their source and contents. Thus far
l have not been informed officially that
any charges have been laid against me
The first intimation 1 had to that effect
was when. on arriving in this country,
saw the reports in the newspapers.
An American registry was granted to
the steamer Abbey, it is true, but that was
! done more than year ago, and at a time
| when the Filipinos were regarded as allies
of the United States The charge that
am in sympathy with the F'ilipinos is rank
nonsense. The Abbey is vessel so small
as to be of no Importance, and when the
American registry was granted the boa,
was under bond to the Chinese government!
to make. trip to Singapore. The bond
subsequently was forfeited" +,
Concerning the interpreter. of whose ac-
tion complaint is said to have been made
DR.. Bedoe said:
Chung is no longer connected with the
consulate at Canton"
Travelling with DR.. Bedloe was G. E
Lewis. of Hong Kong, and he discussed
sui felt himself at liberty to do.
1T appears" said Mr.. Lewis. that ths
Though when Consul wiidman was nego
tiating with the insurgent leaders In July
and August of last year he believed then
been learned since that the Filipinos ever
then were planning in secret to fight the
American troops.
|
opportunity to purchase arms. A rebellion
had broken out in the Canton district ant
its viceroy sent to Hong. Kong. for $500
| down the uprising. The rifles were pur
chased from German firm and the steam
er Pasig. flying the British flag, was char
When the arms. on arriving at their des
tination, were condemned and thrown bacl
on the hands of their owners, Captain
Charles Ellis; an American. bought th
boat. changed its name to the Abbey. an,
had 1t transferred to American registry.
Singapore was announced as the destin
alton of the boat, which Is of $50 tons bur
. den and barely seaworthy, and it wa
stated the arms were to be sold to tn
rajah there, Commissioner Drew, a for
toms, would not allow the boat to depar
until a bond in the sum of $4,000 had beel
r given, binding the captain to deliver tn
cargo at Singapore and nowhere else.
: after the Abbey had put to sea, storm
nearly wrecked it and It put in at Wan
poa, in the Canton. district. That wa
t the last heard from It till the report cam
+ that 1t had been seized by the McCulloc
in the Philippines, and. as I am informed
the question whether 1t was a rightfu
prize is still the subject of controversy.
The boat was without papers when tax
I en-, and had on board only twenty-five ri
l fies. 1t is believed the F'ilipinos had lande
= the arms before the boat was overhauleG
Stories to the effect that Chinese interpre
Q ters of consulateS sold American registra
tion certificates with either the knowledg
1 or approval of consuls. I regard as ur
e founded. A consul. unless he understand
E the language, often is at the mercy of hi
o interpreter"