The evening times., 1899-09-07
THE CASE OF CONSUL BEDLoE.
1t Is Relieved Tint the Accused VIII
Pc Removed.

ne Removed.
Secretary Hay has not had time to IN
vestigate the charges against DR.. Bedloe,
consul at Canton, China, or the papers
relating to the case. Since ii became
known thatkeharges had been preferfed
against DR.. Betioe many rumors have
been circulated regarding the case and
the State Department has been subjecte1
TO some annoyance on this account AS
sistant Secretary Cridler has sad there
were no charges against DR.. Bedice al
fecting his integrity, from which the IN
ference is drawn that all reports 10 the
effect that he had been accused OF ac-
cepting bribes for assisting in the passing
of Chinese into this country and for OBJ
tanning concessions, etc, are untrue
While Mr.. Crldler, who has investigator
the charges against DR.. Bedloe, ana sec
retary Hay, who is to review them, both
maintain silence regarding the nature OF
the charges and the identity of those pre-
ferring them, it appears to be beyond
question that they relate to the granting
OF American registry 10 the Abbey, whlch
was utilized to convey arms to the III /
plnos Dr. Bedloe does not deny that he
issued such papers, but claims that at
the time when they were issued the Fill
pinos were presumed to be the allies of
the United States. This was in June, 1898
month after the battle of Manila Bay,
but some time before the surrender OF
Manila. Admiral Dewey, being informed
OF the mission of the Abbey, captured the
vessel. which is still held by the naval au-
| thorities, while the owner has endeayored
| in vain to secure her release.
Dr. Bedloe was not, according to the
| statement of some persons, suspended from
I In htS ntnV
| try of his volition. Charges had been pre-
ferred against him before the protocol with
| Spain was signed, and the department has
not acted in his case simply because there
was no occasion for haste and ii was wait
| ing to secure full information before pro-
! ceedng. Dr. Bedloe was informed OF the
charges, and. although he was told it was
| useless for him to visit Washington, ne
| was very anxious to do so and II Is SAID
requested leave OF absence for that pur-
| pose which was granted. Since his arri-
| val he has apparently accomplished very
| little There has been no hearing either
before Secretary Hay or Assistant Secre-
| tary Cridler. One reason for this, II is al
legged, is that, after a careful examination
of the papers in the case, Mr.. Crider may
have made up his mind that DR.. Bedloe is
| guilty of the charges against him and
! thinks the papers on file are sufficient to
! prove this beyond reasonable uouDt.
AS DR.. Bedloe holds a commission from
the President he cannot be removed excepi
by the President, and when Mr.. Hay nm
ishes with the case he Will present the
matter 10 Mr.. Mckinley for his action. II
is probable the removal of DR.. Bedloe will
be recommended. In that case he Will no'
return to his post at Canton. There is nC
doubt that Dr. Bedioe's offence is regarded
at the State Department as very seriou:
one, as il places the Administration In
NEST embarrassing position.
| DR.. Bedloe believes. it is said, that Con
sui General Wildman is at the bottom O.
the charges against him and promises u
make it warm for Wldman if the case goe
against him. Wildman, having also beer
a warm friend OF the insurgents and Agui
naldo having gone to the islands TO incit'
the revolution against Spain, principally
Wildman's suggestion, it is difficult TO se
how he could urge the prosecution OF
fellow official on a charge OF doing wha
he himself had done months before.
Assistant Secretary Cridler said toda,
there was no charges pending against an
other consular officer in the East.