The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-26
MUST THE CHINESE GO.

One Of the most utterly stupid, I'M
pardonable and mischievous plumbers
which have marked the prosecution of
the prevailing war on the Tagalos is rep
resented by the order of Gen. Otis for the
exclusion of the Chinese from the Philip
pines. It would be incredible that the
people at Washington should have toll
Grated the order even for an hour after
it had reached their knowledge We're it
not that 1t is quite certain that the Chi
rese authorities have protested to the
officials of our state department against
the remarkable proceeding.
In looking for an explanation of the
order Of Gen. Otis the most likely one
which presents itself to- viewais that
that great civil and military administra-
tor was adopting one Of his remarkable
expedients for the pacifcatton of the ma
tives now in arms. If this explanation
be the correct one, it must be said that
nothing more entirely worthy of Otis
record in the East has been made public
thus far, unless 1T be that offer of $40 each
for all rifles turned in by repenting Ia
gaIos to the American headquarters.
No matter how Americans may dis
agree as to the policy or impolicy, the
wisdom or the folly, Of the present course
in the Philippines, they are at one on the
subject of doing everything proper and
needful to facilitate the control by this
people of reasonable share, of the COM
merce of the Orient, We We're, and it is
to be hoped will be, when this reckless
folly Of Otis shall be undone, in an ex-
ceptionally favorable position to secure
the good will CT the Chinese people. Our
exemption from all act or part in the
raids on Chinese territory by the Euro
pean powers had brought us the SYM
pathy and good will OF the Chinese peo-
Pile To such an extent was this being
made manifest that our merchants had
received every possible advantage over
those of England, Germany and Russia
among enlightened Chinese. It IS need
reported as pointing out TO our state de-
partment, that such an act rs that Of
Otis is quite likely to nullify this kindly
disposition.
OF course there was no justification,
end there can be no palliation, of this
foolishness. 1t cannot be said that we
are merely extending to the Philippines,
as American territory, the same principle
OF action which we adopt in our domestic
policy toward Chinese immigration. If
this claim IS put forward, then why not
enact all other laws which we now have
in force here affecting foreign peoples
Why for instance. not re-enforce our
home tariff regulations in our new "col-
ony?"
NO we have simply been rushing from
one stupendous blunder to another in our
entire course in the East Our imperial
list promoters are trying to hold on to
the Philippines at every hazard, some
thing after the fashion of the man who
had the bear by the tail. The prospect Of
plumber is less clear than it was six
months ago, but the hope now evidently
is that they will be able to hold or at
least until they can let go with the least
assurance of injury which will probably
be about the near approach of the presi-
Dental election, when, 1t is quite likely,
these adventurous gentlemen will make a
virtue of necessity.
Every day during which this order of
Gen. Otis is allowed to stand, an injury
viii! be wrought upon the American COM
merce in the Orient which will outweigh
eny substantial gain in that direction
which can ever be realized through our
conquest of the Philippine islands