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 Manila-Shortage 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 clamoring 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 Gen
! eral Otis TO open all the ports at the ear
| liest possible moment.
Only 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
eral has been visited daily by Senators and
Representatives who have constituents in
terested in the hemp question, and repre-
sentatives of large manufacturers have also
called on the Adjutant 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 in position TO give definite in
formation about opening ports If would be great
relief TO DEPARTMENT. CORBlN.
General Otis sent the following reply TO
General Corbin's cablegram:
Obliged to use all available coasting vessels
supplying troops in various islands, unable to
move troops to hemp districts as soon as an
flfna cd nANx COLL SNplS fpg
that purpose; the United States transports too
great draft; have opened Romblon and Capiz;
some hemp coming in; will open hemp district
soon as possible some time this month. Bates
has about cleared up province Cavite, 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 to an end as
has been announced from time 10 time.
With Cayite Province cleared OF the in
surgents it is believed that several addi-
tional ports can be opened and quite
large quantity of hemp brought out.
The determination to 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
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 Cen
eral Otis open the ports without delay.
Secretary Root assured the President |
that the War Department had done every |
thing il could 10 secure the opening not /
only of hemp ports but of all important 4
ports. Secretary Root said that he first /
cabled General Otis to open the ports. and |
General Otis had replied saying certain 1
ports in northern Luzon would be opened /
January l, and that all hemp ports would |
be open by February l. 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 TO
General Otis that the department would
like TO hear from him on the subject. Ac-
,ordingly the cablegram from General
Torbin was sent General Otis.