Arizona republican., 1899-09-25
China Sends a Sharp Message to
the State Department.
PHILIPPINES EXCLUSION ACT
Problem of Entrance of Chinese TO
The Islands Regarded by Our
Nearest Neiahbor In the paCI fac
as Violation OF international
Law. I'S Left to OnS For an
Understanding.

O"0Nh
Washington, Sept. 24.-The imperial
Chinese government, through its min
ister here, Mr.. Wu Ting-Fang, has
:. lodged with the state department an
emphatic protest against the military
crder of General Otis excluding Chi
nese from the Philippines. Neither
the state department nor the Chinese
legation will give any information
| concerning the protest, but from en-
tirely reliable quarters it is learned
that it insists that General Gus action
is contrary to international law, in
violation cf existing treaties, and in
complete disregard Cf the friendly re-
! laitions which have been so long main
| tained between the two countries.
Minister WI called at the state de-
partment last Friday, and it is be-
lieved he submitted the protest in per-
sen at that time.
The matter was promptly brought to
| the attention Of the president, as the
/ protest was of such a character as to
/ give the subject an international as
pect considerably beyond the purely
military questions involved. 1t 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 a further bond and would
extend the relations between the two
countries, particularly in their neigh
boring possessions.
furthermore. 1t is understood tnat
among the specific points OF 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 maintain the present status
Of affairs in the Philippines until con-
gress had determined a permanent
condition.
The military phases of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root.
Owing to his familiarity with interna-
ticnal law, he considered the subject
broadly. both in its international as
we'll as it's military aspects, with the
result that it has been left to General
Otis to determine the expediency OF
carrying out or setting aside his order.
General Otis order was issued some
time ago, without direction from
Washington, and apparently as mill
itary necessity, although the Chinese
protest urges that there is no such mil
itary necessity, but, on the contrary,
that the Chinese have rendered valu-
able military assistance.
General Otis order is signed by
himself as military governor of the
Philippines, and by BTigadier General
Charles A. Whitaker as collector of
customs. having supervision Of Chi
nese affairs. It says:
''Tha laws of the United States
which prohibit the entrance CT Chi
nese will be enforced here
The decree then excepts such Chi
nese as have previously lived in the
and who hold certificates
showing this fact. 1t also excepts
Chinese officials, travellers, ETC., ex-
,epted under the treaty between the
United States and China. Provision Is
made for registering the Chinese in
he Philippines, and their deportation
% China in case OF failure to register.
As very few Chinese, other than those
now in the Philippines, come Within
he exceptions, the effect of the decree
s to make the exclusion practically
absolute.
General Otis made a report to the
var department on April 1 last en- the
xecutiCn of the decree. He said that
,nly Chinese in good health, who had
previously resided in the Philippines,
we're permitted to land at Manila,
5ebu or Ilcilo-the only three open
lorts in the archipelago. He also ex-
llained the methods of registering,
ees. etc.
It is understood that the Chinese
regards the outcome OF
mis- protest with much apprehension.
t is pointed out that the Chinese have
een long established in the Philip
ines, and that a considerable branch
f industry of the islands is conducted
y them, and that this complete term
nation of long established communi-
alton between China and the Phillip
ines injuries these people, both per-
onally and materially.
The Chinese protest is said to be
1uched in most dignifed and court
0us terms, but to be so pointed that
0 doubt is left as to the deep umbrage
le Chinese government feels over