The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-19
AN EMPHATIC PROTEST
CHINESE MINISTER LODGES IT
WITH STATE DEPARTMENT
HIS GOVERNMENT SHOWS INDIGNATION
An Order Contrary to International Law, Viola
tive Of ofExstng Treaties, in Complete
Disregard cf friendly Relations
Between the Countries.

Washington, Sept. 1S-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 Chinese
from the Philippines. Neither the State
Department nor the Chinese Legation
will give any information concerning the
protest, but from entirely reliable quar-
ters it is learned that it insists General
Otis action is contrary to international
in complete disregard of the friendly
relations which have been so long main
tanned between the two countries. Min
istef Wu called ut the State Depart
ment last Friday, and it is believed he
submitted the protest i'll person at that
time.
The matter was promptly brought to
the attention Of the President as Ahe
protest was of such character as to
give the subject an international as
peet considerably beyond the purely mil
itary questions involved. 1t is said
that China points out that she has well
coined the recent advent Of the United
States into the affairs of the far East
and has hoped that this step would prove
Il further bond and would extend the
relations btween the two countries par
ticularly in their neighboring possess
sions. furthermore it is understood that
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 pur-
pose Of the President of the United
States to maintain the present status
of affairs in the Philippines until Con
gress had determined a permanent con-
dition.
The military phases of the question
have been referred to Secretary Root.
Owing to his familiarity with interna-
tional law, he probably will consider the
subject, broadly, both in its international
as we'll as in its military aspects Gene
raj Otis order was issued some time
ago, without direction from Washington,
and apparently as a military necessity,
although the Chinese protest urges that
there is no such military necessity, but
on the contrary, that. the Chinese have
IelutGtu NdIudDle military uSSiStduCe.
General Otis order is signed by him
self as military governor of the Philip
pines and by Brgadier General Charles
A. Whitaker, as collector of customs,
having supervision of Chinese affairs.
1t says:
''The laws of the United States which
prohibit the entrance of Chinese will
be enforced here"
1t is understood that the Chinese
Government regards the outcome OF this
protest with much apprehension. 1t is
pointed out that the Chinese have keen
long established in the Philippines, and
that considerable branch Of industry
Of the islands is conducted Ly them,
and that this complete termination cf a
lang-establshed communication between
China and the Philippines Injuries these
people both personally and mageriaily.
The Chinese protest is said TO he
couched in most degnifed and courteous
terms, but to be so pointed hat no
doubt is left as to the deep umbraGe
the Chinese Government feels over this
order of General Otis.