The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-01
A PHILIPPINES BLOCKADE.
NAVY WANTS TO SHUT OFF THE
INSURGENTS SUPPLIES.

Nice Point in International Law Involved
The Government May Declare Certain
Ports Closed to Commerce ms the So
lution-Filibusters Have been Active.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 81. A new. and, IL 10 be-
lieved. an effective means Of preventing the
LuZon insurgents from securing munitions OF
war and other supplies from outside will prob
ably be put in operation byMajor- Gen. Otis and
Rear Admiral Watson within n short time
The matter will lie taken up for consideration
when President Mckinley returns to Washing
ton. He is expected to reach here on Satur-
day.
The Government has been aware for several
months that tho insurgents we're securing food
and ammunition from places outside OF the
islands and every effort has been made to stop
this traffic. The recent addition to the naval
force In the Philippines of a number OF light
draft gunbonts captured or purchased from
Spain has been followed by a great many cap
lures of nlbustering craft, mostly small
! schooners. but owing to certain international
con sderations the Introduction OF insurgent
supplies has not been made as effective
as the Government desires. From
the first the Navy Department has
insisted that the only sure means
OF preventing the traffic was the establishment
OF blockade Of all ports In theIsland ofLuzon.
and this has Just been followed by formal
recommendation by tho Department to that
effect. Naval officers insist the navy is able to
shut off all supplies for the insurgents shipped
from outside places. and 1t has been urged on
1 the Government authorities by naval officers
that II the plan were carried into effect the in
surrection would end within very short time.
While there does not appear to be any differ
ence OF opinion as to the excellence OF this
policy among The officials of the three depart
ant. al tnta
Of those in authority have questioned the ad-
visibility Of pursuing such course on the
ground that it would give foreign nations an
excuse for recognizing the belligercncy OF the
insurgents. 1t has been pointed out that under
international law nation cannot blockade it's
own ports. and for the United States to de-
clare blockade Of ports in the Philippines
would he virtually acknowledging that q
state of war existed. that the Filpinos were
maintaining Government OF their own. aud
were exercising it within certain territory.
Whether the means OF overcoming this objec-
ton can be found remains to be seen. but
officials here are confident that the conference
with the President will result in the adoption
! OF plan which. when put into operation. will
4cfcctually shut of the means now possessed by
the insurgents of securing outside aid.
Gen. Otis has not been very successful in es-
tallishing a satisfactory system Of keeping
|contraband supplies from reaching Luzon. On
June % he informed the War Department that
he had opened certain ports to trade. These
ports prior to that time had been closed to
commerce on account OF the activity OF the in
surgents. On Aug 10 Gen. Otis informe ed the
War Department that he had issued a decree
closing insurgent ports to nter-island
traffic. The object OF this was to prevent
the transportation Of native products to inter-
dicted ports. Certain ports which we're virtu-
ally in the possession Of the insurgents were
declared by ARuinaldo to be closed to vessels
flying the American flag. and the decree OF
Yen. Otis was issued in retaliation At present
lhe ports in the Philippines closed to traffic
with other PORTS in the island. but vessels
iher papers are regular.
The result OF this liberality in trade
without side ports. however. has not
been satisfactory. Much OF the food sup
plies carried to the Philippines in American
and foreign vessels gets to tho insurgents and
the latter also benefit by the money received
by native shippers for their supplies OF to-
tarco. hemp and other products which are ex-
ported on the vessels bringing the food
1t has been proposed as a means Of meeting
the difficulty that an order be issued closing all
the ports In Luzon. with the exception OF
Nnn.la. to outside trade Such action would
not constitute the declaration OF a blockade.
and would not furnish AN excuse for foreign
governments TO recognize insurGent bclliger-
ency. Wha amounts to \ blockade is now be-
Ing maintained by United States naval vessels
in the waters OF Luzon. One or two vessels
are to be found Off every port in that island.
bur their commanders have no authority to
prevent the landing Of supplies from Ameri-
can ani foreign ships. whose papers are regu-
lar. where the ships do not carry contraband of
war.