Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-24
CLOSED 70 GH|NAhEN
Gen. Otis Puts the Exclusion ACT
Into Force In the Phil.
ippines
The State Department Surprised at
the Information-He Acted
Without Authority.
Extensive Interests Are Affected by
the Rule Dewey Favorable
To Orientals.

Washington, Aug. 24-The state de-
partment has been informed through a
diplomatic channel that Gen. Otis has
applied the Chinese exclusion act to
the Philippines. The information was a
surprise, although the matter has been
under consideration for some time.
The first intimations came in dis
patch received few days ago from
the Chinese consul at Manila, telling
the Chinese legation here that the ex-
clusion laws against Chinese had been
applied to the Philippines
The dispatch was brought to the at
tention of the state department and
inquiry made as to how the action was
brought about, as the Chinese govern
ment has been solicitous since Ameri-
can military control was established in
the Philippines that the United States
exclusion law should not be extended
over the islands.
The state department knew nothing
of such an extension and made inquiry
of the war department. The military
authorities. however, were equally
course in this particular.
Accordingly the Chinese officials were
advised that any action taken by Gen
Otis in applying the exclusion laws to
the Philippines was not the result of in
structions sent from here. but was
doubtless due to an exercise OF his au-
thority as governor general OF the
Philippines.
What further steps the Chinese au-
thorities will take has not been deter
mined. as Minister WI Ting Fang is
out of the city for a few days.
There is little doubt. however. that he
Will seek to have Gen. Otis order hello
in allegiance until the authorities here
pass upon the general question which
has been under consideration between
the two governments.
In this connection the state depart
ment has received an important letter
from former Consul at Manila Will
liams, who still remains there in a con
tidential capacity. He says the native
Filipinos are strongly opposed to Chimes,
labor, and in his opinion the exclusion
of the Chinese from the islands would
materially aid in bringing the war to ;
close. He places the Chinese population
at 81, 900. which is considerably NOR
than other estimates from ofiicia
sources.
The letter which is dated July 2e, ha
been turned over to the war depart
ment TO be used in the general consider
alton of the exclusion question.
The Chinese government has show
more anxiety as to the course of thi
government toward the Chinese in tn
/ Philippines than towards those in Cub
! or other parts of the world, mainly be
cause the Philippines are so near Chin
and large numbers of Chinese are al
ready established there. They carry Of
| the bulk of the retail trade, have an ex
tensive quarter in Manila, and send GU
lstraveling statesmen, carrying packs, i
the remote interior Of the islands.
Some Of the official reports, including
those of Admiral Dewey. have paid
| tribute to the work performed by tn
Chinese. and Naval Constructor Hobsol
has recently reported to the navy de
! partment on the value of Chinese labo
in naval and commercial pursuits in tn
far east.
This has led the Chinese officials her
Ito believe that the exclusion laws woul
not be applied TO the Philippines. TIL
4 only action taken here as to the Chimes
\ exclusion laws has been in ruling tina
! they were not part of the immigratio
laws and did not apply to Cuba an
Porto Rico