The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-02-13
cAinc,e Secret Societies.

Wherever the Chinese have established col
opies they have, sooner or later, come into
conflict with the existing authority through
their secret societies. In snue cases these
o--anizatious have grown SC syrrsnous and
u,werful that they have attempted 70 overthrow
the government az the country. II the British
eols1ies. where Chinese are numerous, It has
been found necessary to deal directly and II
SUMMARY way with tins question In some
Oriental countries colonized by Chinese there
have been serious struggles for mastery be-
tween the colouists and the government In
San Francisec the secret societies bave long
exercised an oppressive sway ever the Chinese
quarter. and there are few Cinnamon 50 pow
erful as 10 escape their black-1ail requisitlons.
In Sacramento. q few weeks ago, two bands Of
hired fighters belousius 10 rival organitaiioos
Of the kind, had a fight With knives and pls-
tois II The public street, and there were sew
sral serious casualties. The ADMINISTRATION o.
Justice II American courts, where Chinsss are
concerned, Is often interisrsd wi1l' anu j.
times completely prevented, BY TIE terrorism
Of the secret societies.
Orly few days since llia-st -" 10 A1-
acted as interpreter IN San s4l1e-7Io ~o-.-'
and who had been useial IN us's-llls -Ns
fraudulent representations Of Chinese immigrant
I,borsrs VIC sought to pass as merchants, was
forced 70 resign BIS position, and 70 appeal 10
ne poIice for protection against the so-called
ssh;@bbfpdersn or hired DULLES and assassius
Of lie secret -'Hosgs-n When j ChInese
crime Is committed It IS very difficult 10 ind
witnesses. They are afraid to testify, because
bv 90 doing they viii be marked for vengeance.
The @high-binders" are all criminals. They
are IN the paw OF the secrst societies, which
latter, Ter their own purposes, shelter and
urotecs and enable them 70 establish d crimg-
nal Zuild 70 the depredIticus Of which the IN
dustrious and law abiding Chinese are exposed
without remedy The general result IS that
the Chinese colony Is dominated by It's worst
elements. and that even the wealthy merchants
are compelled 10 pay black-maIl, while the
American laws are practically Imperative
when seriously opposed by the secret orgaHi-
zatious Of Cbinafown-
How 10 nut N end 10 this condition Ut things
i. however, a difEcult question Toe poliee
and the municipality Of san Francisco have
tried to DO 20 Intellectually. The Legislature
Of California has also failed % solve the pglt-
lem. Tie language i, ut course, Que Ct t1e
greatest Obstacles Chinese interpreters aFc
Indispensable 70 30 proceedings concerning
Chinese. aud no way has been found % pre-
venting them from being IuruldItet or sub
ornsd This difficulty Of bringing Chinese
colonies under the sway OK cur laws L really
the most serious objection that has yet been
raised 10 Chinese emigration, ard there eau be
~ doubt IS 70 It's reality. The Chinese secret
societies are beyond cur Jurisdiction. They
can commit the sTIvest crIuIaS, exercise the
Outrageous tyrrauy, levy 5laek-mEiI whole
sale, punish their enemies By assassination,
tsrr0riz= the zh1le colony, ard defy Cur police
and courts II The Chinese are 70 remain IN
any American Stale in considerable hunters,
permanently, a. appears probable, % will eer-
tzinly be necessary to devise means Of sup
pressing their secret societies, ard bringing
their colonies within the puryiew Of our laws
and form Of government. Thus lar this has
not been doue.-N l. Tribune