The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-24
Otis EXCLUDES
CHINESE LABOR
Applies The immigration Laws to the
Philippines.
AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT
The State Department Unaware oil the
GOYeFnOr-GHnGral'S Intentions.
CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE ANXIOUS
They Are Hopeful That Their Country
men Will Not be Permanently Ex-
cluded from the Islands-Ac-
ton May be Temporary

Washington, Aug 2s.-The state depart
ment has been informed through diplo-
matte channel that General Otis has applied
the Chinese exclusion laws TO the Philip
pines. The information was a surprise to
the authorities here, both to the state and
military, as the matter had been under
consideration for some time and it was not
known that General Otis had put the ex-
clusion laws into force. The first intima-
ton came in a dispatch received Few
days ago from the Chinese consul at Ma
Mia telling the Chinese legation here that
the exclusion laws against Chinese had
been applied to the Philippines.
The dispatch was brought to the atten-
ton of the state department and inquiry
made as to how the action was brought
about, as the Chinese have been solcitious
since American military control was es-
tablished in the islands that the exclusion
law should not be extended over the Is
lands. The state department knew moth
ing of such an extension, and made inquiry
of the war department. The military au-
thorities however, were equally without
information as to General Otis course in
this particular.
Accordingly the Chinese officials were
advised that any action taken by General
Otis in applying the exclusion laws to the
Philippines was not the result of instruc-
lions sent from here. but was doubtless due
to an exercise of his authority as governor
general of the islands. What further step
the Chinese authorities will take has not
been determined, as Minister WI Ting
Fang is out of the city for a few days.
There is little doubt however, that he will
seek to have General Otis order held in
allegiance until the authorities here pass
upon the general question, which has been
under consideration between the two gov
ernments. In this connection the state de-
partment has received an important letter
from Mr.. Williams, our former consul al
Manila, who still remains there in a con-
fidential capacity. He says the native Fill
ipinosy are strongly opposed to Chinese la
Dor and. in his opinion, the exclusion of
the Chinese from the islands would mater
tally aid in bringing the war to a close
The Chinese Population
He places the Chinese population at ST.
600, which is considerably more than other
estimates from official sources. The lat
ter Is dated July 26, and brings tho situa-
ton up to a recent date. 1t has been turn
ed over to the war department to be used
in the general consideration of the exclu-
sion question. The Chinese government
has shown mere anxiety as to the course
of this government toward the Chinese in
the Philippines than toward those in Cuba
or other parts of the world, mainly be-
cause the Philippines are so near China
and large numbers of Chinese are already
established there They carry on the bulk
of the retail trade, have an extensive quar-
ter in Manila and send out travelling sales
rior of the islands.
Some of the official reports, including
those of Admiral Dewey, have paid
tribute to the work performed
by the Chinese and Naval Con-
structor Hobson has recently reported
to the navy department on the value OF
| Chinese labor in naval and commercial
| pursuits in the far East. This has led the
| Chinese officials here to believe that the
| exclusion laws would not be applied to the
/ Philippines and they are still hopeful that
| General Otis action will be a temporary
| move incident to military occupation and
| not part of the permanent policy of this
government toward the islands. The only
| action taken here as to the Chinese exclu-
! sion laws has been In ruling that they were
not a part of the immigration laws and
| did not apply to Cuba and Porto Rico.