The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-09-22
FROM CHINA
Against Exclusion Of Celestials
From the Philippines,
COUCHED IN THE POLITEST TERMS
Otis Action In Barring Them Dat VIII Bo
Looked Into by tho Government
At Washington.

A Washington dispatch says The
imperial Chinese government, through
its minister at the national capital,
Mr.. WI Ting Fang, has lodged with
the state department an emphatic pro-
test against the military order Of Cen
eral Otis, excluding Chinese from the
Philippines. Neither the state depart
ment nor the Chinese legation will
give any information concerning the
protest, but from entirely reliable
quarters it is learned that it insists
that General Otis action is contrary
to international law, in violation Of
existing treaties, and complete disre-
gard of the friendly relations which
have been so long maintained between
tpe two countries. Minister Wu called
at the state department 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
protest was Of such character as to
give the subject an international aspect
considerably beyond the purely mill
tary questions involved. It 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 the neigh
boring possessions. Furthermore, it
is understood that among the specific
points of the protest submitted by the
Chinese government, is one to the
effect that such an order is a departure
from the announced purpose of the
president of the United States to main
tain the present status of affairs in the
Philippines until congress had deter
mined permanent condition.
The military phases of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root.
Owing to his familiarity with interna-
tional law, he probably will consider
the subject broadly, both in its inter
national as we'll as its military aspects.
General Otis order was issued some
time ago, without direction from
Washington, and apparently as mil
itary necessity, although the Chinese
protest urges that there is no such
military necessity, but, on the contra
ry, that the Chinese have rendered
valuable military assistance.
General Otis order is signed by
himself as military governor of the
Philippines, and by Brigadier General
Charles A. Whitaker, as collector of
customs, having a supervision Of
Chinese affairs. Tt 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 show
ing this fact. 1t also excerpts Chinese
officials, travellers, etc, exception IN
der 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 that those
now in the Philippines come within
the exceptions, the effect of the de-
cree is to make the exclusion practi-
cally absolute.
General Otis made report to the
war department on April LIST last on
the execution of the decree.
1t is understood that the Chinese
government regards the outcome of
this protest with much apprehension.
1t is pointed out that the Chinese have
long been established in the Philip
pines. and that considerable branch
of the industry of the islands is con-
Quoted by them, and that this COM
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 most dignifed and courte-
/ GUS terms, but to be so pointed that
no doubt is left as to the deep UNI
bragg the Chinese government feels
over this order of General Otis.
ROERS MASSTVH ARTTTTERY