Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-08-26

Washington, Aug. 24.-General Otis
has applied the Chinese exclusion laws
to the Philippines, according to diplo-
matte advices received by the state de-
partment. The information was sur
prise to the authorities here, both state
and military, as the matter has been
under consideration for some time, and
1t was not known that General Otis had
put the exclusion laws into force.
The first intimation in that direction
came in a dispatch. received a few days
ago from the Chinese consul at Ma
nila. telling the Chinese legation here
that the exclusion laws against Chinese
had been applied to the Philippines.
The dispatch was brought to the at
tention of the state department, and in
quiry was made as to how the action
was brought about. as the Chinese gov
ernment has been solicitous. since Amer
lean military control was established in
the Philippines, that the United States
exclusion laws should not be extended
over the islands. The state departm ent
knew nothing Of such an extension, and
made inquiry of the war department.
The military authorities, however, We're
equally without Information as to Cen
eral Otis course in this particular.
Accordingly the Chinese officials were
advised that any action taken by Gen
eral Otis in applying the exclusion laws
to the Philippines was not the result
of instructions sent from here. but was
doubtless due to an exercise of his au-
thority as governor general of the Phil
ippincs.
What further steps the Chinese au-
thorities will take has not been de-
termined, as Minister WI Ting Fang Is
out of the city for a few days. There is
little doubt, however that he will seek
to have General Otis order held in
allegiance until the authorities here pa IS
upon the general question, which has
been under consideration between the
two governments.
In this connection, the state depart
ment has received an important letter
from Mr.. Williams, our former consul
at Manila, who still remains there in a
confidential capacity. He says the ma =
tive Fillpinos are strongly opposed to
Chinese labor, and. in his opinion, the
exclusion of the Chinese from the isl
ands would materially aid in brr gins
tuc wal " d CIoSC. ne DluC0S tU6
Chinese population at $1,000, which Is
considerably more than estimates from
official sources. The letter Is dated
July 26. 1t has been turned over to
the war department, to be used in the
general consideration of the exclusion
question.
The Chinese government has shown
more anxiety as to ithe course of this
government toward the Chinese in the
Philippines than towards those in Cuba
or other parts Of the world, mainly be
cause the Philippines are so near China
and large numbers Of Chinese are es-
tablished there.
They carry on the bulk Of the retail
trade, have an extensive quarter in Ma
nila, and send out travelling statesmen
carrying packs, to the remote interior Oi
the islands. Some Of the official re-
ports, including those Of Admiral Dewey
have paid a tribute to the work per-
formed by the Chinese, and Naval Con
structor Hobson has recently reported
to the navy department on the value ol
Chinese labor in naval and commercial
pursuits in the far east.
This has led the Chinese officials here
to believe that the exclusion laws would
not be applied to the Philippines. ant
they are still hopeful that General Otis
action will be temporary move. in
cident to military occupation, and not
q part Of the permanent policy of thi!
government toward the islands.
The only action taken here as to the
Chinese exclusion laws has been in
ruling that they were not part of tht
t,,,,,, Al IN, Law 1i1 4,
Cuba and Porto Rico.
Washington. Aug. 24.-Secretary Roo
has returned from his visit to the presi.
dent at Lake Champlain. That the cam.
paign in the Philippines is to be pushed
vigorously and promptly is evident from
a remark the secretary made to the re.
porters. He was determined, he said
that every man belonging to the 20 regi-
ments of volunteers now being recruited
shall eat his Christmas dinner in that
country. His attention was called tC
reports Of fresh preparations for treat.
ing with the insurgents with view tC
peaceful settlement of the war in the
Philippines. He had not heard officially
of these. although he expressed himself
as being glad IL such a solution of the
difficulties could be brought about.
so,t,o Aue oA-coraro, p..o, .o
.ot,,rnaa sro,,e Chi, bo,,;ru s,ona,.,,,II,
accomplished his mission there. Afte
nve-weeks, negotiation an asreemen
was signed. which in substance was n
follows: American sovereignty owe
Moros shall be recognized and ther,
shall be no persecution against religion
The United states snail occupy ana con
..o. .,, e"n ,., p @ -. :"
can nurchase land. with the sultan
consent: the introduction of firearm
shall be prohibited: piracy shall be sup
pressed; the American courts shall nav
jurisdiction. except between the Moros
the Americans snail protect the Moro
against foreign imposition. ana the SUI
tan's subsidy from SPAIN shaii De con