The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-04
China ENTERS A PROTEST.
Demands a Rescssion Of General 0tis's
Exclusion Order.
PRESENTS HER ARGUMEN IS.

General Otis's Order Excluding tho Chi
nese From tho Philippines Was Mill
tary Necessity - The Pekin Govern
1nent Says That His Order Violstes
International Law.
WASHINGTON, D. c. (speciaD.-The I'm
perlal Chinese Government, through its
Minister 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. Tho Imperial Chinese Gov.
ernment insists that General Otis's action
Is contrary to International law, in viola.
tion OF existing treaties, and in complete
disregard OF the friendly relations which
have been 80 long maintained between the
two countries. Minister WI called at the
State Department and submitted the pro-
test In person.
The matter was promptly brought to the
attention Of the President, as the protest
ject an international aspect considerably
beyond the purely military questions in
volved. It Is said that China points out
that she has welcomed the recent advent
OF the United States into the affairs Of the
Far East, and has hoped that this step
would prove further bond and would ex-
tend the relations between the two coun.
tries, particularly in their neighbortng pos
sessions.
Furthermore, among the specific points
Of protest submitted by the Chinese Gov.
ernment Is one to the effect that such an
order Is departure from the announced
purpose Of the President OF the United
States to maintain the present status OF af-
fairs in the Philippines until Congress had
determined permanent condition.
The military phases OF the question have
been referred to Secretary Root. Owing
to his familiarity with international law,
he probably will consider the subject
broadly, both in its international, as well
as its military aspects.
| General Otis's order was issued some
time ago, without direction from Wash.
inYton, and apparently as military
necessity, although the Chinese protest
urges that there Is no such military neces.
sity, but on the contrary, that the Chinese
have rendered valuable military assist.
ance.
The order Is signed by General Otis, as
Military Governor Of the Philippines, and
by Brlgadier- General Charles A. Whitaker,
as Collector OF Customs, having superyl'
sion Of Chinese affairs. 1t says:
"The laws Of the United States which
prohibit the entrance OF Chinese will be en-.
forced here"
The decree then excepts such Chinese a.
have previously lived in the Philippines,
and who hold certificates showing this fact.
It also excepts Chinese officials, travellers,
etc., excepted under the treaty between the
United States and China.
Provision Is made for registering the
Chinese In the Philippines, and their de.
portation to China in case OF failure to reg.
fster. As very few Chinese, other than
those now In the Philippines. come within
the exceptions, the effect Of the decree is
TO make the exclusion practically abso.
lutte.
General Otis made report to the Wa,
Department on April last on the execu.
tion OF the decree. He said only Chinese
In good health, who previously resided In
the Philippines were permitted to land at
Manila, Cebu, or Iloilo-the only three open
ports in the archipelago.
He also explained the methods OF regis
tering, fees, etc.
It IS understood that the Chinese Gov
srnment regards tie outcome OF this pro-
test with much apprehension. It is pointed
lished in the Philippines, and that con-
siderable branch OF the industry OF the ISL
ands is conducted by them and that this
complete termination OF long-estaSlished
communication between China and the
Philippines Injuries these people both per-
Sonally and materially.
The Chinese protest is couched in most
dignifed and courteous terms, but to be
30 pointed that no doubt Is left as to the
deep umbrace the Chinese Government
leels over this order OF General Otis.