The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-12
4 COMPLICATED AFFAIR
Trouble Over The Chinese Consul
Generals Office in Manila.
Two Claimants for One Poxition-Li
Hung Chang Sends an Agent to In
lister WI, Who Has Jurisdiction
Over ConsuIntes in the Philippines.

Minister WI Ting fang. who has juris-
diction over the Chinese consulates in the
Philippines, is experiencing considerable
trouble with the Office of the Consul Gen.
eral at Manila. Serious outbreaks among
the Chinese residents of Manila have been
narrowly averted by the military authori-
ties and ii has been necessary for tie
military government to give assurances
to the present Consul General that he
would be fully protected against his
predecessor in Office. Information of this
serious condition of affairs reached Ii
Hung Chang. He believed that the fol-
lowers of Kang Yu Wei. the fugitive Chi
nese reformer were at the bottom of the
trouble, and he sen: a secret commissioner
Manila to make an investigation. This
was done without first consulting Minister
WI. whose territory Ii Hung Changes
Commissioner invaded. Now Minister Wa
has sent Chwang HaiKwan, Second Sec
rotary Of the Legation here. to enquire
into the controversy in Manila.
Information received at the War Depart
ment from Manila shows tina. the trouble
dates back before the occupation of the
city by the Americans. and is due entirely
to the ambitions Of Chinaman named
Don Carlos Pelanca. Palanca was mer-
chant Of Manila before the war with Slain.
He made himself very useful 10 the Span
3sh officials. and was recognized by the
Spanish authorities as power among the
native Cinnamon of Manila. He was given
tie title of Eel Captain and placed in
such position as to practically rule his
fellow countrymen in the Philippines.
When the American military government
was installed Palanca sought the favor of
the Americans He offered Information
about the insurgents and during the recent
plague outbreak he volunteered to assist
the sanitary officers in compelling the
Cinnamon to adopt sanitary measures.
Having adopted Spanish name, he fol-
lowed Spanish customs and is said to have
levied tribute on his countrymen. Palanca
had a son in Pekin named Ching Kang,
and the latter obtained appointment to
Manila as Consul General. Pending his ar
rival Palanca was made Acting Consul Gen.
eral, and this incensed the Chinese even
more than the appointment of his son.
They decided to protest to the Ameri-
can authorities. The protest went to the
authorities In Pekin and the officials here
Informed Minister WI that Palanca and
his son did not meet with favor from the |
United States. Accordingly the name of
Ching kang was withdrawn. He and his !
father determined to make trouble. how |
ever, for whoever may follow him. Minis |
WI ScleCleQ the ONCE IN Manila 1
u 1ung View, then at Havana. and who |
had been Consul General at San Francisco. |
Palanca and his followers determined 20
+, otstruct Ii Yung View wherever possible. /
They Gent petitions to Pekin against tie |
Advisory Board of the Chinese Consulate, 1
which is composed of the principal mer-
chants of Manila. Ching Kang went to
Canton and saw Ii Hung Chang and repre-
scented to him that the objection to his sp- /
OOinfnerf originated with followare in
hila OF Yang Yu Wei, whose head VS.
wanted by the Chinese Government. Ttis
aroused Ii Hung Chans's interest, and he
sent Tan Lit Kang, his special com5ns-
sioner, to Manila TO investigate.
Kang went TO Manila very quietly. He
did not register at hotel, but was found
by the military authorities lodging in one
81 the dirtiest houses in the Chi-ese qgar-
ter. and making house to house enquiry +
among all the Cinnamon of Manila. He
asked particularly about the work Of Ii
Yung View. and sought in every way to
connect the Chinese Consul General in
eome way with the Kang Yu Wei followers.
He failed to find anything against the off,
cial head who had secured the favor O.
General Otis and other military officials.
Palanca continued TO oppose the Chinese
Consul General. however, and wherever
possible put obstacles in his way Ii Yung
View was compelled to appeal to the Mill
tary Governor for protection in the per-
formance of his duties. and was assured
that he would be gievn every protection.
Palanca then had posted announcements
that he was the legal Consul General by
reason OF an appointment from Annoy
China. The military authorities sent for
Palanca and warned him that he would
have to cease his annoyance of the Chinese
Consul General or be expelled from the
Philippines He promised to end the trou-
Bile, but reports from Manila show he is
continuing the fight. Meanwhile Chwang I
Hai-Kwan has gone to Manila to enquire ,
into the situation for the benefit of Min
lister WI. and will make a report within
the next few months. =