The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-01
Is NOT SUSPENDED.
Consul Bedloe Denies That He Aided tn
Filipfnos

Consul Bedloe Denies That He Aided the
Filipfnos.
Chicago, Aug. 31-Too i'll to continue
his journey to Washington without a
days rest, DIR. Edward Bedloe, United
States consul at Canton, China, halted
in Chicago, and while here took occas-
ion to deny the report that he is under
suspension and discuss the charges
that have been filed against him with
the state department. Dr. Bedloe ar
rived in Chicago on the overland linz
tied from San Francisco. He took a
carriage and was driven at once to the
office of physician, who, after dag
nosing his case. told him he was suf-
fering from malarial fever, and that it
will be imprudent for him to attempt
to finish his long trip without the in
PREVENTION of day of rest. At the
Auditorium annex it was said that DR..
Bedloe was worse, his temperature at
one time being 102 degrees.
Charges were filed several months
ago at the state department against
DR.. Bedloe. They allege that an Amer
lean registry had been furnished by
Consul Bedloe for the filibuster steamer
Abbey a short time before 1t was cap
tured by vessel of Admiral Dewey's
fleet near LuZon. The report that Con-
sui Redloe had been placed under sus-
picion appeared but few days ago in
Washington dispatches. in which 1t
was said suspension had resulted from
charges made in behalf of the Chinese
government and filed at the state de-
partment by Minister WI, protesting
against the alleged actions of Chung,
Chinese interpreter for the United
States consulate at Canton, and alleg-
ing that Consul Bedloe had violated
the treaty stipulations.
Il am not under suspension said
Consul Bedloe in speaking of these
charges. Il am away from my post on
60 days leave of absence, for which
made application some four months
ago, and which is in no way dissimilar
to other leaves of absence that have
been granted me since l entered the
consular service. Whatever charges
have been preferred against me at the
state department / must decline to dis
cuss, at least until l know their source
and contents. Thus far / have not been
informed officially that any charges
have been laid against me. The hfst
intimaton / had to that effect was
when, on arriving in this country. !
saw the reports in the newspapers.
An American registry was granted to
the steamer Abbey, it is true, but this
was done more than year ago. ana at
a time when the Filipinos We're regard
ed as allies of the United States. the
charge that l am in sympathy with the
F'ilipinos is rank nonsense. The Abbey
is vessel so small as to be or no
Importance, and when the American
registry was granted the boat was I'M
der bond to the Chinese government TO
make a trip to Singapore. The bonds
were forfeited.
Concerning the interpreter OF whose
action complaint is said to have been
made, DR. Bedloe said: Chung is no
longer connected with the consulate at
Canton"
Travelling with Mr.. Bedloe was G. f.
Lewis of Hong Kong, and he discussed
the Abbey affair more fully than the
consul felt himself at liberty to do.
Tt appears" said Mr. Lewis, that
the Abbey incident has been magnited.
When Consul Wildman was negotiating
with the insurgent leaders in July and
August of last year, he believed them
to be allies of the United States. 1t
has been learned since that the Fill
pinos even then We're planning in Sc
cret to fight the American troops. A
mere chance threw in their way an OPP
portunity to purchase arms. A rebel
lion had broken out in the Canton dis
trict and its viceroy sent to Hong
Kong for 35, coo stands of Mauser riftsA
with which to put down the uprising.
The rifles were purchased from Ger
man nFn ana the steamer ny
ing the British flag. was chartered to
take them up the Canton river. When
the arms. when arriving at their desti-
nation, were condemned and thrown
back on the hands Of their owners,
Captain Charles Ellis, an American,
bought the steamer. changed it's name
to the Abbey, and transferred it to the
American register. Singapore was
named as the destination of the boat,
which is of $50 tons burden and bare
ly seaworthy, and it was stated that
the arms were to be sold to the rajah
there.
Commissioner Drew, a former Bos-
tonian, in charge of Chinese customs,
would not allow the boat to depart I'M
til a bond in the sum of $4,000 had
| been given, binding the captain to de-
| liver the cargo at Singapore and no
| where else. After the Abbey had put
! to sea a storm nearly wrecked 1t, and
| 1t put in at Wampou, in the Canton
/ district. That was the last heard from
i 1t till the report came that 1t had been
/ seized by the McCulloch in the Philip
| pines. and also, | am informed, the
| question whether 1t was a rightful
I prize is still the subject of controversy.
! The boat was without papers when
| taken, and had on board only % rifles.
| Ii Is believed the Filipinos had landed
| the arms before the boat was over
| hauled Stories TO that effect that Chi
| nese interpreters of eonsulates sold
| American registration papers without
| even the knowledge or approval of con-
! suls, l regard as unfounded A consul,
unless he understands the language,
| often requires an interpreter"