The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-19
EDITOR WONG CHING FOO.
Mysteries of the Chinese Newspaper OmC
in New York.

in New York.
New York Star
In all the newspaper world OF New York
there is no buster journalist than Mr.. Wong
Ching Foo, editor of the Chinese American.
Surrounded by proofs, exchanges and hero
glyphic copy" a reporter found him at his
office. Mr. Foo is young man OF short
stature dressed in the American fashion.
He speaks English with much more purity
and elegance than thousands to whom it is a
native tongue. Busy as he was, for he COM
bines the functions of editor and business
manager, he received his visitor with true
Oriental courtesy.
THE publication of Chinese newspaper
in New York" said the reporter, ''has
aroused so much comment that it would be
interesting to know how it is getting along"
1T is coming quite up to my expecta-
tions," said Mr.. Foo, "and is growing rap
idly. The Chinese in New York are begin
ming to appreciate the value of a paper in
their own language, and are patronizng it
accordingly. Like every other people in this
age they want to know what is going on in
the world around them"
What kind of news is it that Cinnamon
like to read?'
well, of course athey like to hear from
the old country as often as possible To sup
ply this want we have tri-monthly letters
from China particularly from the seaports,
Hong Kong, Shanghai, etc. Besides, we
have out-ottown correspondents here in
America who send us news of particular inn
portance to the Chinese. The Chinese
American circulates throughout the Union
and also Europe"
What kind of local news do you publish?'
Just what the English papers contain.
Here, in our issue of to-day, for example"
said the editor, picking up a crisp yellow
sheet from pile near him, ''is report of
our court proceedings in the Conkling homi-
eide case, and an article expressing the re-
pr5t which Cinnamon fool n tho lnse of the
philanthropist, Peter Cooper"
Have you any news from China in this
issue?'
Eyes, here on the first page is letter
about the difficulty with the French in Ton
Quin. In the matter of local information
concerning Chinese matters, of course we have
advantages over the English papers, as we
speak the language and understand the GUS
toms of the people,"
''The Chinese language as spoken, is broken
into dialects, is it not?'
Yes. Our paper is printed in the Man
| DARN language the official tongue, you
know. How many characters has it? Oh,
that has been variously estimated. One cal
culation places it as high as $4,000, Our col
umns are horizontal, and we read from right
to left"
''You have a good advertising PATRONAGE"
First rate, although our terms are high.
have advertisements on the first page this
week, but my rule is to reserve that space for
foreign news"
How do you get Chinese type in this
country%'
The paper is autographed. A scribe
makes copies of the manuscript, which are
transferred to the stone"
How long have you been in America, Mr..
Foo?'
About nine years. I am political refu-
gee. l conspired against the government at
home, and | LETT the country TO avoid the in
convenience of having my head cut off,"
Would you be decaptated if you went
back?"
"The chances are so strongly against me
that think I'll stay on this side. l began
literary work two years ago"
"Did you do any writing beside that re-
quired for your paper?'
YES; write for the New York press and
for the Youths Companion, of Boston. Both
pay me we'll"
rs there any reason why your journal is
printed on yellow paper"
That is the national color of China the
imperial color, and L AM emperor here in
| the office, without the power to cut off peo-
pies heads, however am busy just now
revising my translation of Fan Ton, or the
Royal Slave a Chinese historical romance
written by King Ming descendant of Con-
fucius 200 years ago. tits as powerful and
dramatic as any work of Victor Hugo. There
are great difficulties in the way of its trans
lation, for an equally thorough knowledge
of Chinese and English is required. 1 am
| assisted by an American gentleman of wide
culture Already l have had several offers
from publishers but [ have accepted none
of them as yet"