New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-26
CONSUL BEDLOE SUSPENED
TROUBLE OVER CERTIFICATE OF AMERICAN
OWNERSHIP GRANTED TO THE FILL
CLUSTERING STEAMER ABBEY.

,.-.,,rS,or Aug H-Dr Edward Bedoe. Of
Pennsylvania who has been Consul at 'anton'
China under tho Administration of President NC
K,nIey. has been suspended by the State Depart
ment and permission TO return TO the United states
has been granted to him. His suspension has given
rise to reports that several consular officers OF me
United States have been removed because OF thelt
alleged action In assisting TO send munitions OF war
to the Fipinos. Assistant Secretary Cridler. how
ever said that the suspension order issued by the
State Department affects only DR.. Bedloe. lie made
Il plain, IN addition, that Or. Bedloes trouble - not
due to charges OF giving aid to the FiHpinos' out
arises in part out OF the certificate or American
ownership said to have been granted by MIN 10 the
steamer Abbey The Abbey seized by the gum
boat McCuoch on September %. 1898. at Batangas
where she had landed a cargo Of arms and ammu-
milton. In his dispatch to the Navy Department.
concerning the matter Admiral Dewey said:
Having received information American steamer
Abbey left Macao September q with cargo OF arms
@ ouSd he sen arrived three days
earlier and landed cargo only pn mos bgS no.
papers whatever. Seized and brought her here,
reestere ST America vesse United states CONSUL
late, Canton. Have information she made one Voy-
age same kind before.
1t is said that the Abbey In the harbor OF
Canton. and was held by the Canton authorities
A Philadelphan Is understood to have been inter-
ested in the Abbey's filibustering expedition Mr..
Bedoe IT is alleged gave the vessel certificate
OF American ownership, and she departed. Macao,
which Admiral Dewey gave as the point OF de-
parture being A short distance from Canton.
In accordance with instructions sent by the Navy
Department. Admiral Watson has rescued the YES
sci. which was released shortly after her capture
and Is now holding her until further evidence.
which will fix the responsibility OF her operations.
can be secured The Navy Department is greatly
embarrassed about the affair, because there are no
Federal courts in the Philippines that pass on
her case and It will be necessary bring her 10
San Francisco to accomplish her condemnat ton.
The authorities. the other hand. feel assured
that DR. Bedloe is innocent OF any wrongdoing In
ing exists on his part. There is no explicit legal
AUTHORITY IL IS said for the gTantiRg Of Such cS,oo
to the Abbey. bat the ct'nsuiar regulations
sSthor5s the issue on the ground that Is sSe0
have the protection given by such consulates ana
vessels. The paper is not strictly speaking; Ger
tihcate OF ownership but merely certihes that me
duly. authenticated in the office OF the consul OF
the United States
The Navy en- hss received
Of the Abbey He says he is about 10 come 10 wash
ground that the Filpinos allies Of the United
States at the time the arms were shipped; A. me
General Goodnow. at Shanghai. has made an in
quiry into the shipment OF the arms. ana report
Is now before the 70 the ays De
partment. based on this report. which VIII be the
ground for further proceedings. The owners OF the
Abbey have retained counsel here look after their
I and he has fled number OF 3ap ssd pom
day to submit documents in the case The ram m
incations Of the Abbey seizure are engaging the
and promise interesting Developments.
It is said at the State Pe9 9 that the he
Certified that Mr.. Sylvester was an American
citizen. and on this the Abbey secured registry;
says that he Is on lsave OF absence. and is on his
way home. by way of San Francisco.