The evening times., 1900-01-10
hemp PORT TROUBLES
The War Department Sends Hurry
Orders to General Oils.
Complaints From Farmers and Man
ufacturers TO President Mckinley
and Secretary ROOt-A Reply Re
ceived From ManiIa-ShOrtaEe of
Vessels the Alleged Cause of Delay.

The Secretary Of War is urging General
Otis to open the hemp ports in the Philip
pines as rapidly as possible, as the farmers
and others interested in the uses of hemp
in this country are elamoring TO have the
hemp of the Philippines brought out and
placed on the market. The President and
Cabinet have discussed the opening of the
Philippine ports for some time, and Secre-
tary Root several days ago ordered Cen
eral Otis to open all the ports at the ear
hest possible moment.
Only a few Of the ports have been opened,
and the War Department has been besieged
with enquiries as TO when more OF the
ports would be opened The Adjutant Cen
eraI has been visited daily by Senators and
Representative who have constituents in
terested in the hemp question, and repre-
sentatives Of large manufacturers have also
called on the Adiutant General for infor-
nation.
Since Secretary Root sent his order TO
General Otis, some days ago. little or moth
ing has been heard from Manila on the
subject. General Corbin, becoming impa-
tient over the lack Of news yesterday sent
the following cablegram TO General Otis;
Urgent enquiries and anxiety here about hemp.
Whenever you are in position 90 give definite in
formation about opening ports II would be great
relief to Department CORBIN.
General Otis sent the following reply TO
General COrbin's cablegram:
Obliged 20 use all available coastiug vessels
supplying troops in various islands: unable 20
move troops 90 hemp districts As soon as an
ucipated; am now collecting vessels mere tor
that purpose; the United States transports too
great draft; have opened ROmblOn and CapiZ,
some hemp coming in; will open hemp district
as soon as possible some time this month. Bates
has about cleared up province Cayitl, making
large captures. OTIS
The answer would indicate that the
troops are still engaged in active
operations against the insurgents and that
the rebellion is not so close 20 an end as
has been announced from time TO time.
With Cavite Province cleared o. the in
surgents il is believed that several addi-
tiOnal ports can be opened and quite a
large quantity OF hemp brought out.
The determination 10 again cable Gen
eral Otis reminding him OF the hemp situ-
alton in the United States was reached at
the Cabinet meeting yesterday. Secretary
Wilson Of the Department OF Agriculture
called attention to the absence Of any
news from Otis about the opening Of the
ports. and explained that he had received
reports that unless the ports were imme-
diately opened the price Of binder twine
TO the Western farmers would be enOr-
mOusly higher.
He presented. as on several former oc-
CasiOns. his reasons FOR urging that Gen
eral Otis open the ports without delay.
Secretary Root assured the President
that the War Department had done every
thing il could TO secure the opening not
only of hemp ports but Of ali important
ports. Secretary Root said that he first
cabled General Otis to open the ports. and
General Otis had replied saying certain
ports in northern Luzon would be opened
January /. and that all hemp ports would
be open by February I. A later despatch
was sent him urging that he not overlook
the southern ports. To this no response
had been received, and he believed that
General Otis was doing all he could 10
open the ports.
II was thought advisable to suggest 10
General Otis that the department would
like TO hear from him on the subject Ac-
COTdingly the Cablegram from General
COFbin was sent General Otis.