Wichita eagle., 1886-09-18
naturally very great, and its members navs
much to do with the formation of Chinese
affairs Of staf
on,c,yAroRs OF nroSLL1oys.

naturally very great, and its members hav5
much to do with the formation of Chinese
affairs Of state.
ORIGisATORS OF EEDELLIOES.
"From its inception, four centuries ago,
the society has instigated innu,nerable rebel
lions, and ell the members naturally inbibed
strong martial spirit. As a consequence,
the order has developed many famous sol
diers, and amcng them tho great Gen. 10y
Yee, who, at tho age of 50 years, was the
commander-in-chief of all tho forces of the
empire His appointment to this position
was, OF course, q measure adopted by the en-
peror to conciliato the society to which he be-
longed. Many of China's foreign ministers
also owe their positions to this policy. Being
statesmen of great ability, they naturally be-
come power to be feared by the govern
n,ent, and are accordingly appointed as am
bassadors to some foreign court in order to
get them out Of the way. Chin Lin Pan,
the first minister to the United states, was one
of these, and, if the truth were known, I
would not be surprised if every minister since
was Chinese Mason, or member Of tho
Chee Kung Tong, as the society is called.
''You will gain some idea of tho strength Of
this organization when inform you that the
great Tai Ping rebellion of 81 was brought
about by its leaders, and fought by its SOL
diers. The famous armies known as the
Black Flags and Yellow Flags, which per-
formed such bloody work in Tonquin during
the recent war with France, were also COM
posed entirely of tho members Of tho Chez
Kung Tong, and led by its officers. The
headquarters of tho order are in tho district
Of Quong Ton, or Canton, as it is known to
us. It is from there tho edicts are sent which
50 vitality affect the policy Of the Chinese
government, and which in time may over
turn the throne and establish q now dynasty.
The queue worn to-day by the Chinese people
is symbol of their bondage to the Mongolian
emperor and is q constant rem vder to them
of their subjection.
THIRTY-THREE CAST IRON OArHS.
1.-THE rites Of the society! Yes, know some
thing of them, though there are 20 many and
in such infinite variety that my knowledge Of
them is necessarily limited. There are thirty
three oaths to be taken, and regular cast iron
ones, too, before an applicant can become a
fully constituted member Of the society. He
can, however, withdraw before taking tho
last oath, provided he promises eternal Sc
crecy about what he had previously seen and
heard of the ritual. If this agreement should
be violated, or q member Of the order should
In any way disgrace himself in the eyes Of his
brothers, punishment swift and terrible is
meted out to him. In China it is death, but
in this country that is impossible, though they
go through al the formulas Of an execution
without ths fuai elimination. The accused
is always allowed q trial, but is seldom ac-
quilted The wise men and patriarchs Of the
order assemble together upon that occasion
;.,s of ft,o:, JCc
the accused and accusers are brought before
them. The latter step forward first, and
prostrating themselves upon the floor at the
feet of the Oldest of the wise men, they pre-
sent their charges
The accused then prostrates himself and
places the foot Of the wise men upon his neck
as sign of submission. After this he tells
his version of ths story, still fiat upon his
stomach on the floor. When this is over the
bead man announces bis decision in & long
and impressive speech which Is interrupted
at tho end of every sentence by ths others
pro5tratins themselves and uta<z1ns words of
assent. The judge next claps kE hands and
in comes tn. executioncr vita long sword
and a woot;en bowl, the lattss' being for the
p,iTposs Of catching the blood that is not
spilled. Going up to tho condemned man,
who is still lying face downward upon the
floor, the oxecutiorer raises him TO his knees
and bares his ieci- fcr the fatal blow Three
times the swort. j. ra:sed and brought down
with terrific for>s u1i. within half an inch
of the kneelig i..an's recl1, where it .tops
This concludes q. ces-s=cuy, but ths victims
punishment is nct yc: over, If he happens to
be So fortunate e bo Evo Ia this country
Great placa'ds announcing his di:grace arc
Josted oE sl the dead walls throughout the
Chinese quarter, e1d as soon as the news be-
comes known t.ic guilty man Is completely
ostracised by his old associates, and in fact
by all the society. san Francisco Alta.