The San Francisco call., 1904-07-17
u. d. BdUentine
Is accused of
Craze Frauds.

An inconspicuous passenger on the
Mongolia, which dropped anchor in this
port on Friday, was William Darling
Ballentine. This gentleman is not un-
known in San Francisco. It was here
he won the heart of an heiress. The
marriage was a year ago. He is still
better known in the higher social set
Of Eastern cities. where he has been
lionized in days gone by. But his name
is most familiar TO the English
speaking people Of the lands of the
rising sun. There he enjoys close
acQuaintsnceship with all classes
from the elite down to the police.
His years are comparatively few, but
his career has been ful of action. He
is now the central figure in the most
sensational scandal ever brought to
light in the official circles of Asiatic
lands. The story has kept busy
tongues wagging in every port from
Kobe TO Singapore, but as distinguish
ed representatives. Of great govern
ments were involved. only a few drib-
lets here and there have come to the
United States. The Secretary of State
the Secretary of the Treasury and the
President probably know more about
IL than DO other Americans, but they
have thus far neglected to furnish an
account Of the matter to the press.
This case seemed Of so great i'm
portance, Il is said, that even the Third
Assistant Secretary Of State was de-
tached from service at the national
capital and sent abroad TO make a per-
sonal investigation on which he could
base an authoritative report to his
chief. Ballentine and the Third AS
sistant Secretary returned to this
country on the same vessel.
CONSPIRACY CHARGED.
Ballentine and some Of his friends
have rested under severe charges. of
these conspiracy was the most i'm
portant Thus far no one Of them has
gone TO the dreary prisons Of the Far
East, although the doors to those IN
pleasant abiding places have been
twice OF thrice ajar. But lucrative
positions are already vacant and others
still more desirable may yet be va
Gated by their incumbents. The
official ball has started rolling and
according to reports II gains in velocity
day by day.
Men and millions, honor and posi-
ton, were involved. The majesty of
the governments Of the United States
and Of China was set at naught and
there was fraud. forgery and corrup-
ton without end in official circles. I,e-
gal guilt has not as yet been publicly
established, although il is whispered
that the formal reports to be present.
ed 70 the State Department viii do so.
The crime Of which BaIIentine and
other distinguished gentlemen were ac-
cused is one into which many Ameri-
cans in all parts Of the country have
fallen. II was the smuggling in of
Chinese coolies in violation Of the ex-
clusion laws. While such work has
been done on a wholesale plan in
continental United States, all records
were hopelessly shattered by the peo-
pie who managed the business In the
Philippines. The coolies entered Uncle
Sans insular possessions not singly or
in pairs. over the border by night, but
in squads and battalions, through open
ports in broad daylight
PLOT is DEEP LAID.
II is said that more than twenty per-
sens were concerned in the conspiracy.
Credentials for the imported Chinese
were forged in the Celestial Empire
at several ports Of entry and the spuri-
Gus documents are declared to have
been knowingly inspected and corrupt
ly approved by employees Of the
customs department from Aparri to
Zamboanga- The yellow hordes were
pouring In day by day.
After several thousand coolies had
entered In this manner some honest
officer decided there was something
wrong. A quiet investigation resulted
and then ii was charged that Ballen-
<sne was ringleader Of the conspirators.