New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27
CONSUL BEDLOE'S CASE.
HIS PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTERS MUCH SUI
PRIsED AT HIS LAPSE OF Off
CIAL REGULARITY"

\
CIAL REGULARITY"
Philadelphia Aug 20 (SpeciaD.-The suspen>'
sion Of DR. Edward BedlOe. Of Philadelphias
United States Consul at Canton. fell like bomb
shell in the midst OF a large circle OF inllueh'nS
friends among politicians and ciubnen IN I'M
city.
Representative Young. who was one OF tns
Consurs sponsors in his original appointment
expresses great surprise that the Doctor
should be found engaged in any lapse Of ON
cial regularity" even II only an error OF JudS';;
ment. It required a formidable amount OF back
ing 10 secure DR.. Bedloe's appointment IN tho
first place In the early part Of the Harrison
Administration the Pennsylvania delegation IN
Congress united In his support. and after much
delay he was appointed 10 Annoy. in China
He sent TO the Department OF State some in
teresting reports from his district. but his meth
DDS we're not satisfactory 10 the local authori-
ties az that port These complaints. II -
charged were sent 20 Picking and were brought
10 the attention OF the United states Minister
there who forwarded them 20 Washington
They also reached the Department through tnS
Chinese Legation at Washington
Dr. Bedloe's appointment 10 Canton by Pren~
dent Mckinley was long delayed. nOtw7thstand-'
ing the formidable pull" he enjoyed among tho
factors in Philadelphia politics and Journalism
The complaints from both Chinese and Ameri-
can sources. in these latest transactions OUT OK
Difference TO Or. Bedloes friends. were care
fully looked into before his suspension and his
recall TO undergo an investigation The fact
that the Chinese Minister at Washington also
represents his own Government in charges
against the United States Consul. conSitutes q
notent factor In tho case and is likely 10 make
the explanation more difficult The Chinese
complaints the friends OF DR.. Bedoe. who have
looked I'D the matter. say relate TO violations os
local regulations OF the empire
The complaint. however. IS OF old standing
against American consuls in China. Until latsi
years it is said the methods Of the consuis haVei
IN a measure been winked at and they have
had IL is said source OF revenue not reporteo
in the official returns. in the issue Of American
trading certificates TO Chinese. II these charges
be sustained summary action may be antiOs-
pated.
The Philadelphia friends OF Dr. Bedloe WIZ
stand BY him 10 see that he has fuIl oppor~
tunty 10 make his defence -.
The consular port OF Canton is one OF the nloSs
difficult to manage in China II was the earness
OF the Chinese ports opened 10 the commerce OK
the outside barbarian" and is beset by scnern-
ing adventures of all nationalities. The nearov
cities of Hong Kong, under British, and Mlcao,
under Portuguese rule. harbor many desperate.
characters and schemers. notably just now the!
Philippine insurgent junta. but the dominance'
of Western laws holds them 10 accountability,
whereas at Canton the consus, withih cer'aIu'
regulations OF the countries they represent, are
la US unto themselves. as far az the Chinese are
concerned.
The Abbey having been seized under circuu,-
stances leaving no doubt OF serious suspicion OK,
having delivered arms 20 the insurgents, and the
granting OF an American registry 20 the VesseI.
by the United states consul VIII De tns MAJ az
Philippines were not at war with the United'
States when these transactions took place IS not
considered factor in the case They We're hot
citizens OF the United States. and were not en-
titled 10 the purchase OF arms under such ques-
tionable surroundings. The case Will uncover
some interesting details. II is said by those who
araI