The Topeka state journal., 1899-08-25
LOSES HIS JOB.
American Consul at Canton, China, Is
Suspended.

Washington, Aug 25.-Consul Edward
Bedloe, of Pennsylvania. who has been
stationed at Canton, China, during the
administration of President Mckinley,
has been suspended by the state depart
ment and granted permission to return
to the United States. His suspension
has given rise to reports that several
consular officers of the United States
have been removed because of their
alleged action in assisting in sending
munitions of war to the Philippine is
lands. Assistant Secretary Cridler,
however, stated today that the suSpen-
sion order, issued by the state depart
ment affects only DR.. BedIOe. He made
it plain, in addition, that DR.. Bedloe'S
trouble is not due to charges of giving
aid to the FiHpinOS, but arises, in part,
out of the certificate of American own
ership said to have been granted by
him to the steamer Abbey. The Abbey,
it will be recalled, was seized by the
gunboat McCulloch on September % of
last year at Batangas, where she had
landed a cargo of arms and ammuni-
ton. In this despatch to the navy de-
partment concerning the matter, Ad-
niral Dewey said:
Secretary Navy, Washington: Hav-
ing received information American
steamer Abbey left Macao, September
q, with cargo of arms for BatangaS,
sent McCulloch
Arrived Batangas 23rd, found her in
harbor, having arrived three days ear
her and landed cargo Only Filipinos
formation and had no papers whatever.
Seized and brought here here, where
now hold her. This steamer, formerly
Pasig. registered American vessel, IN
tied States consulate, Canton. Have
information she made one voyage same
kind before
1t is said the Abbey was in the har-
Dor of Canton and was held by the
Canton authorities A PhiIadeIphian
understood to have been interested in
the Abbey's flibustering expedition, Mr..
Bedloe, it is alleged, gave the vessel a
Cert1ncaIe OF American ownership and
the vessel deparated for Macao, which
Admiral Dewey gave as the point of
departure, being a short distance from
Canton.
In accordance with instructions sent
by the navy departmet Admiral Wat
son has reseized the vessel, which was
released shortly after her capture and
is now holding her until further evil
dence can be secured, which will fix the
responsibility for her operations. The
navy department is very much embar
rassed about the matter by reason of
the fact that there are no federal
courts in the Philippines that can pass
upon her case and it will be necessary
to bring her to San Francisco to ac-
cOmplish her condemnation.
The authorities, on the other hand,
feel assured that DR.. Bedloe is innocent
of any wrong doing, Intentionally at
least, and that only some misunder-
standing exists on his part.
There is no explicit legal authority,
it is said. for the granting of such Il
certificate, as it is alleged was given
by DR.. Bedloe to the Abbey, but the
consular regulations authorize the issue
on the ground that it is reasonable and
proper that American citizens should
be afforded the protection given by
such certificates and by the right to
fly the American flag over their vessels
The paper is not, strictly speaking, a
certificate of ownership but it merely
certifies that the bill of sale, to which
it is attached, has been duly authenti-
Gated in the Office of a consul of the
United States.