Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-12-02
CHINESE POLICE.
The Sort Of Pionie Thsv Haze tn Anackty
FfgudSfs

agents are the policemen attached to the
tribunals, small and great, who are
known by their red robes, their high
black caps, and the official pheasant
feather surmounting their heads like a
horn. A mere magistrate will preside
over score of these picturesque nlgua-
zils, while the yamun Of Project or
Criminal Inspector contains fifty or
more armed constables, some Of whom
act as jailers and headsmen in case OF
need.
The policemen, the actual constables,
are divided into privates and sergeants.
They are sheltered in magistrate's
ynmun, If bachelors but, II married,
they often inhabit hut within the com.
pound of their superior's dwelling. They
eat rice and melons at the charge Of the
province, and they receive very small
monthly payment, enough to buy tobac-
co and opium, should their chief not
embezzle it on the road. But for this
the pheasant-plumed care little their
dependence is on bribery, and where de-
nunciation may cause ruin, and must
cause annoyance, no spy need despair Of
a comfortable living. Curiously enough,
the police extort less from the rich than
from the poor. To crush wealthy man
is not such an easy task as in Mussul.
man countries, and justice grows gentle
as she mounts the social ladder. Even
some great mandarin, when degraded
for some offense, is not so harshly used
as Turk or Persian of corresponding
rank would be by his Prince.
The pheasant-plumed constabulary are
quite capable of controlling mobs and
arresting the small fry OF rascaldom, but
they are mere housing owls, quite unfit
to hawk at such noble game as the Kou-
an-kouen, or bandits. For this purpose
either band of braves must be hired at
the expense of the provincial treasury,
or the regular forces of the Government
must be employed. Most of the Kouan-
kouen have to take refuge among the
huge swamps, natural Businesses which
abound in almost every province, where
they erect their miniature stockade OF
bamboo, build waited huts, and dig
deep trenches around the little camp.
Only the fowlers and fishermen ever
penetrate these tangled morasses, guard
ed by fever and fathomless quicksands /;
and with these poor men the Kouan-
kouen stand well, paying literally for
provisions, salt, gunpowder and news.
The magistrates would never venture
force among the quagmires without
proper guidance. BY threats and prom
Uses, by the exhibition of little money
and plenty of stick, they induce some Of
the fishers to pilot the column through
the labyrinth of mud and waters; and an
imposing aspect does that company pre-
sent. First march company of vet
Grams, with long barreled gingals,
matches lighted and ammunition in
plenty. The guides are with these
matchlockmen, with their hands tied
behind their backs and cord around
each mans neck as delicate precau-
tionary measure. Then comes the chief
military mandarin, mounted and armed
like Scythian. At his back come
swordsmen and spearmen, all with
shields and helmets, hideous with drag
ons and tigers Of fancy colors, very fear
full to behold. The subaltern officers
follow, CALAMITY heading the archers
and rockmen, the former of whom
advance with their short bows
bent and barbed arrow fitted to the
string. The civil mandarin rides next,
sword in hand, followed by his own po-
iceman in pheasant feathers and com.
mon serge, and by troop Of impressed
coolies, furnished with ropes, chains,
letters and spare bamboos enough to
secure o considerable amount OF felons
A band Of music brings up the rear,
but the gongs and flutes will not be
wanted until the celebration Of the VIC
tory, 80 the heroes advance without beat
OF drum or noisy clamor, twirling their
wiry mustaches and vaporing beneath
their breath Of the deeds they are about
20 perform. But once fairly among the
marshes change comes over these pig
tailed Bobadils. They see spears through
the rank grass and sedges; they huddle
together like scared sheep at the waving
Of the canebrake when the wild fowls
rise with changing wing and harsh note,
the sound suggests the war-cry Of the
Kouan- kouen. The old adage is reversed,
and 1t Is the officer who takes every bush
for thief, and is pretty much Of Lady
Mscduff's opinion as to the chance that
the knaves may hang up honest men.
Hours are said TO be occupied in the
contest between 400 or 900 soldiers and
a score OF highwaymen behind bamboo
stockade. The civil mandarin, with
chattering teeth and dignity broken
down, covers beneath his horse and
squeaks at every shot like wounded
rabbit. The musicians throw away gong
and cymbal and run for their lives. The
military mandarins rate and menace
their men. urge them. drive them. abra1
them, but never dream Of leading them
II is not easy 10 get the poor privates Il
attack they hang back and duck At thu
shots Of the enemy and rattle theil
swords and shields, but decline tocharge
while the matchlockmen lie down 70 TAX
pot-shots ut tho brigands. and the rock
cts are let OF pretty much At random.
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