The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-19
A PROTEST FROM China
Objects to the Order Excluding
Chinese From Philippines.
OPPOSES INTERNATIONAL LAW

General OTIS Order, Says the Chinese
Protest, Is q Departure From the
Announced Purpose Of the President
Of the United States.
Washington, Sept. 19.-The imperial
Chinese government, through its min
lister here, Mr.. WI Ting-Fang, has
lodged with the state department an
emphatic protest against the military
order of General Otis excluding Chi
nese from the Philippines. Neither
the state department nor the Chinese
legation will give any information con-
corning the protest, but from entirely
reliable quarters 1t is now learned
that it insists that General Otis
action is contrary to international
law, in violation of existing treaties.
and In complete disregard Of the
friendly relations which have been 80
long maintained between the two coun-
tries. Minister WI called at the state
department last Friday, and it is be-
lieved he submitted the protest in per-
son 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 well
coined the recent advent Of the Uni
ted States into the affairs Of the far
east, and has hoped that this step
would prove further bond and would
extend the relations between the two
countries, particularly in their neigh
boring possessions. Furthermore, it is
understood that among the specific
points of protest submitted by the Chi
nese government is one to the effect
that such an order is a departure from
the announced purpose of the presi-
dent OF the United States to maintain
the present status of affairs in the
Philippines until congress had determ-
ined a permanent condition.
The military phases Of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root.
Owing to his familiarity with inter-
national law he probably will con-
slider the subject broadly, both in its
international as well as its military
aspects. General Otis order was is
sued some time ago, without direction
from Washington, and APPARENTLY as
military necessity, although the Chi
nese protest urges that there Is no
such military necessity, but on the
contrary that the Chinese have rem
dered valuable military assistance.
General Otis order excerpts such Chi
nese as have previously lived In the
Philippines, and who hold certificates
showing this fact. It also excerpts
Chinese officials. travellers, etc.. ex-
cepted under the treaty between the
United States and China. Provision is
made for registering the Chinese in
the Philippines, and their deportation
to China In case of failure to register.
AS very few Chinese other than those
now In the Philippines come within
the exceptions, the effect of the decree
is to make the exclusion practically
absolute.
1t is understood that the Chinese
government regards the outcome of
this protest with much apprehension.
1t is pointed out that the Chinese have
been long established in the Philip
pines, and that considerable branch
of the industry of the islands is con-
Quoted by them. and that this COM
plete termination of a long estab-
lished communication between China
and the Philippines Injuries these peo-
pie both personally and materially.
The Chinese protest is said to be
couched in most dignifled and courte-
GUS terms. but to be SO pointed that
no doubt is left as to the deep UNI
bragg the Chinese government feels
over this order of General Otis.