The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-15
Crew of the Empress or Japan Draw
Knives on Law Officers.


Vancouver, b. c., Nov l4.--[Special 1.-The
entire Chinese crew of the Canadian Pacific
Companys steamship Empress OF Japan now
lying IN port. are up in arms. They today drew
knives and weapons against their own officers
and squad OF civil authorities, and although
there has been no blood spilled the end is not
yet. Tne story of tho trouble was as follows.
Customs Detective Lewis whose duty it il to
watch the steamer to prevent smuggling, saw
two white men go on board at tn early hour
this morning. He followed them up to the
poopdeck, where they met several Cinnamon
and held parley, OF which he could only catch
a few words, bat he heard enough To enable
him To make up his mind that they were mr.
ranging to sInugGle some goods ashore. Com
ing suddenly out of the shadow Of the deck
upon them, he boldly demanded to know what
they were about The white men turned and
ran, but not so with tne Cinnamon, who called
To their countrymen for help. aud Immediately
attacked the Waterman. After beating MIN
until he was unconscious, they toppled
him over the rail. Fortunately he fell on
the wharf, aud after lying there for while came
TO and with much ficulty made his way home
This morning he reported the whole affair to
Collector Of Customs G.. VI. Bowel who at once
went down with him 70 the ship, and two OF the
assailauts being Identified, demanded that they
should be delivered to him az an officer The
ships officers underworld to have this done but
fellow countrymen TO be handed over and
Mr.. Bowel then withdrew Subsequently a
warrant was sworn out before 81. A Mclean
j. r., acting police magistrate. This warrant
was paced ia the hands OF Chief McI.4reu for
execution, and he, accompanied by three con-
stables, a customs OH Ger and the watrhmau
went down 70 the ship. At their request Chief
Officer Moneerfatt bad the Chinese iirenen, of
whom there are over eighty, mustered on
the decS. The assalanrs were again
identified, and producing the warrants.
the police At once started to take their men. As
II by PreconceFtsd action they were instantly
surrounded by the Mongolians, whose num-
bers Were speedily added tn by the appearance
of a number OF other Chinese OF the crew,
KNIVES were drawn, hatehets, hammers and
hsnd-SrlAes hCurjshed, and for moment II
looked as though the decks would be stained
with blood. There only one re-
yo.ver in the crowd. white man, the Gus
toms officer, had this He drew il and hold ns il
before him retrested with the police 10 TIE
gang plank. Chief O.ficer Nonserratt ifpplore,i
the tyhee who was leading the Cniuamen 70
beg his couHlrynen to desist, and after much
persuasion. during which the police officers got
up on the hurricane deck, the Cinnamon PROM
Used 20 produce the miscrcAnts 81 the police
court on Monday morning. Chief MpI.aren
was net satisfied with This. but Officer
Aouserrstt earnestly entreated that no
further action b. taken at present
The chief then Withdrew his men Tonight
there Is no change in the situation, but the
chinese are excited, and viii not allow the white
men near the men who are wanted Before
leaving the police station today Chief Mclaren
was advised To arm ms men, but he refused.
saying Lax As would have 40 trouble. he