The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-19

Chinese Diplomatic Representative
Points Out That the Action of the
commanding General at Manila
Cannot BE Taken as Military
Necessity-Chinese There Have
Rendered Americans Assistance.
| WASHINGTON, Sept 1S.-The imperial
Chlhese government, through its minister
mere, 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 Chi
nese legation will give any information
concerning the protest, but from entirely
reliable quarters it is learned that it in
slsts that Gen. Otis action is contrary
to international law, in violation of ex-
listing treaties, and in complete disregard
OF the friendly relations which have been
so long maintained between The two conn
tries
Minister WI called at the state depart
ment last FRIDAY, and it is believed he
submitted the protest in person at that
time.
The matter was promptly brought to
the attention of the president as the pro-
test was of such character as to give
the subject an International aspect con-
siderably beyond the purely military
questions involved.
| 1t 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 a further bond and would
! extend the relations between the two
| countries, particularly in their neighor-
! ing possessions Furthermore, it is IN
| derstood that among the specific points
of protest submitted by the Chinese gov
eminent is one to the effect that such
| an order is q departure from the an
nounced 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 whit interna-
tIcnal law he, probably will consider the
subject broadly, in it's international as
| well as its military aspects. Gen Otis
! order was issued some time ago. with
out direction from Washington and aD-
parently as military necessity, although
| the chinese protest urges that there is
10 such military necessity, but, on the
contrary, that the Chinese have rendered
Invaluable military assistance.
SERIOUS FOR CHINA.
Gen. Otis order is signed by himself as
military governor of the Philippines, and
by Brig. Gen. Charles A. Whitaker as
collector of customs, having supervision
of Chinese affairs. 1t says:
THE laws of the United States which
prohibit the entrance of Chinese will
be enforced here"
The decree then excerpts such Chinese
as have previously lived in the Philip
pines and who hold certificates showing
this fact. 1t also excerpts Chinese Of
ficials, travellers, etc. excepted under
the treaty between the United States
and China. Provision is made for regis
ztering the Chinese in the Philippines and
their deputation to China in case of
failure to register. As very few Chi
nese other than those now in the Phil
ippines come within the exceptions, the
effect of the decree is to make the eX-
clusion practically absolute.
Gen. Otis made a report to the war
department in April last on the eXecu-
ton of the decree. He said that only
Chinese in good health who had pre-
viously resided in the Philippines were
permitted to land at Manila, Cebu or
Iloilo, the only three open ports in the
archipelago. He also explained the
methods of registering, fees, etc.
1t is understood that the Chinese gov
ernInent regards the outcome of this
protest with much apprehension. 1t is
pointed out that the Chinese have bsen
long established in the Philippines. and
that a considerably part of the indus
try of the islands is conducted by them,
and that this complete termination of a
Iong-established communication between
China and the Philippines Injuries these
people, both personally and materially
The Chinese protest is said to- be
couched in most dignified and courteous
terms but so pointed that no doubt
IS left as to the deep umbrage the Chi
nest government feels over this order
of Gen. Otis.