The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-09

the oldJe IJcIJdI tildl any lOi CTS -
power entertained even the remotest
idea of giving recognition to Aguinaldo
and his associates. On the contrary,
there has been most friendly feeling
maintained between this Government
and foreign powers throughout the
Filipino conflict.
Some time ago General otis made
requisition on the War Department for
25O0 horses to mount the cavalry in the
Philippines He stated in the dispatch
that the horses in the islands We're not
satisfactory and that the contracts for
them in China had failed the words
"contraband Of war" being added
The report from General Otis that
China had refused to permit the ship
ment TO Manila of horses purchased at
Tientsin by his agents was made the
subject of an official representation to
the Peking Government. and late re-
ports received from Minister Conger
show that the prohibition was not par
ticularly applied against the United
States, but against Germany as we'll
and that the expectation of mules and
horses is forbidden by law. Neverthe-
less Minister COnger satisfied himself
that there is no cause for alarm at the
action of the Chinese Government and
officials are confident from his report
that China will not recognize the indie
pendence of the insurgents. Concern
ing the results Of his investigation this
statement was made at the State De-
partment to-day: "On making inquiry
at the Department Of State concerning
the report that the Chinese Government
had refused permission for the expor-
tation of horses and mules from China
to the Philippine Islands on the ground
that they We're contraband of war, it is
ascertained that early in June Minister
COnger reported to the Department of
State that the United States quarter
master at Manila, having purchased
seventy-fVe ponies and twenty-five
mules at Tientsin, an export pass was
refused and that upon application to
the Chinese Tsung- Lii Yamen, or COun-
ell of State. for permission to export
the animals, Mr. Conger was informed
that such permission would be granted
to the United States Government if ii
were possible to grant it to any gov
eminent but that for a long time the
export Of ponies and mules had been
forbidden by law and on several recent
occasions had been refused to other
governments SO that no exception
could be we'll made in favor of the
United States.
Mr.. Conger explains that native po-
MES are needed for use in the Chinese
army, for which reason their exporta-
ton is prohibited except in small lots
III, ~,
etc So far as Mr.. Conger can ascertain
no large lots have been permitted to be
sent TO any of the foreign stations in
China or to any foreign governments
since 1883
I'm a later dispatch Mr.. Conger re-
ports that while the Taotai at Tientsin
had permitted the shipment of thirty
mules to Manila a second request for a
shipment of $50 had been refused. Mr..
Conger added that a similar refusal
had been made upon the application of
the German legation TO send sixty po-
MES to Kiaochau."
The Importance of success in the
coming fall campaign is thoroughly APP
preciated by administration officials
who understand that if the insurgents
should at its close be as strong as they
are to-day, the difficulty of preventing
recognition Of their belligerency will be
materially increased.
The course which the foreign Consuls
at Manila will pursue in connection
with Aguinaldo's communication is a
matter of some conjecture among Off
cials here. At the State Department
there is no disposition to limit the Con-
In, 70 rii 10
respective governments. AS a rule 1t is
quite unusual for Consuls holding exc
quaturs from a friendly government
and having official relation with it to
carry on communication with an insur-
rectionary leader, but il is appreciated
that in this case the Consuls are the
innocent victims of Aguinaldos letter
writing.
AS military authority is supreme in
the Philippines any question arising as
to the course of the Consus would
probably be referred to General Otis,
but there is no intimation here that he
has been advised of the address or that
he win have any objections to its trans
mission by the Consuls. 1t is rather eX-
pected, however, that the Consuls will
take occasion to advise with the mill
tary authorities as TO the proprieties
of the situation before taking final
action.
That the officers and men of the
Asiatic squadron may be in condition
to heartily assist the army in its fall
operations against Aguinaldos forces
Acting Secretary Allen has decided 10
instruct Rear Admiral Watson to dis
patch his vessels in rotation to Yoko-
hama, Japan. The vessels will remain
month each in Japanese waters, and
any of the men who may be debilitated
will be left in the naval hospital at Yo-
kohama until they are entirely recov-
cred and fit TO resume duty. The deci-
sion of Mr.. Allen in this matter was the
result of conference he had with Sur
geon General Van Reypen. The deci-
sion of Mr.. Allen is not due, I was told,
to any fear of disease among the crews
of vessels, but to a desire to keep the
men in good condition.
| ROOT SAYS THE WAR