Hutchinson gazette., 1899-09-21
A FORMAL PROTEST.
China Objects to the Recent Orde
Of General Otis.
VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL Law.
The Exclusion of Chinese From the
Philippines Ii strongly objected
to In Courteous but Pointed
Terms,

Washington, September lS.-Ihe lm-
perial Chinese government, through
It's minister, Mr.. WI 4ing Fang, has
lodged with the state department an
emphatic protest against the military
order Of General Otis excluding Chi
nese from the Philippines. Neither
the state department nor the Chinese
legation will give amy information
concerning the protest, but from en'
tirely reliable quarters II Is learned
that II insists that General Otis ac-
ton is contrary 10 international law,
in violation of existing treaties and in
complete disregard OF the friendly re-
lations which have 80 long been main
tanned between the two countries.
Minister Wu called at the state de-
partment last Friday, and II Is be-
lieved he submitted the protest In per-
son at the time.
The matter was promptly brought
TO the attention Of the president, as
the protest was of such character
as TO give the subject an international
aspect considerably beyond the pure
ly military questions involved. II 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
extend the relations between the two
countries, particularly in their neighs
boring possessions. Furthermore, 1t
10 understood that, among the specific
points Of protest submitted by the
Chinese government, Is one TO the eff
feet that such an order Is departure
from the announced purpose of the
president of the United States To
maintain the present status of affairs
in the Philippines until congress had
determined permanent condition.
The military phases Of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root,
owing to his familiarity with interna-
tional law, the methods of registering,
| fees, etc.
General Otis order was issued some
time ago, without direction from
Washington, and apparently as a mill
tary necessity, although the Chinese
protest urges that there Is no such
military necessity, but, on the con-
trary, that the Chinese have rendered
valuable military assistance.
General Otis order is signed by him
self az military governor of the Phil
ippines, and by Brigadlier General
Charles A. Whitaker as collector Of
customs having supervision Of Chinese
affairs. 1t says
"rhe laws of the United States which
prohibit the entrance of Chinese will
be enforced here"
The decree then excerpts such Chi
nese as have previously lived in the
Philippines and who hold certificates
showing this fact. 1t also eXcepts
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 those
now in the Philippines come within
the exceptions, the effect of the de-
cree Is to make the exclusion practi-
cally absolute.
1t 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-
| ductpd nv tham and tbot tbiu nnn,
plete termination of long established
communication between China and the
Philippines Injuries these people both
personally and materially.
The Chinese protest is said to be
couched in the most dignifed and
courteous terms, but to be so pointed
that no doubt is left as to the deep
umbrnge the Chinese government feels
over this order of General Otis.