The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-17
CHINESE VS.. TARTARS.
REVOLUTIONARY ORDERS ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY.

premacy.
From the Paild9elDhid Inquirer.
Recent reports from China indicate Sc
rious uprisinRs against the Tartar govern
ment by the natives, instIgated by numer-
Gus powerful secret societies, who favor
driving out the usurping rulers from the
country. It is even limited that the great
III Hung Chang, the native Chinese Bis
marck. is in sympathy with the rebels, and
! is at least making no attempt to defeat their
purposes. It remains to be shown, how
! ever how tremendous is the revolutionary
| influence at work, extending even TO the
| United States, which is covered with a
| cnain of the rebel societies
Under the guise of beneficial societies
these organizations dream of the day their
country will De ruled by one of the ancient
| dynasty of Chew, which was driven from
| the throne by the northen invaders nearly
| 300 years ago. With the greatest secrecy the
! conquered people have gathered into these
societies since their defeat, though to be
/ come a member is a crime, punishable with
death in China, aud at intervals the old
national spirit flames up in great out
break, which several times has threatened
the disruption of the empire.
In this city the Hung Shun Tong is said
| to be a branch of one of the most widely
diffused of the great societies, whose various
names are uttered in whispers. In China 1t
was formerly known as the Tien-t- II wui, or
Triad Society, though more generally called
the Heaven aud Earth League" In this
country the league takes the name Of Hing.
| or Patriotic Rising" and includes two
thirds Of the Chinese residents Its prln-
| cipal object is stated to be the overthrow of
the reigning government, and its members
are sworn by the most sacred oaths to main
tain its secrets inviolate, among other cere-
| brf1 nfc nNda
off a cocks head and worshipping the gods
of Heaven and Earth.
| Cadwalader d. Balbirnie, formerly secre-
tary of the Chinese American Union, esti-
mates that of 100 Chinese residents in this
city fully 900 are either members of revolu-
tionary )cieties or in sympathy with them.
Mr.. Balbrnie declares that the revolutionists
claim many countrymen In high standing
| as memberS.
HOW THE SOCIETIES WORK.
Stewart Culin, noted Chinese scholar,
of Philadelphia, says that in the Hing the
initiation varies according to the means of
the candidate. I'm this city it is usually
| 800, while assessments are from 325 to 800
| year Subscriptions are made to defray
the funeral expenses of deceased brothers,
and four times, or oftener, during the year
expensive dinners are given. Money is
raised as wanted, and no co siderable fund
is maintained in the treasury The ceremo-
mails OF the | Hing partake largely of
religious character, but their exact signif-
cauce | have been unable TO determine
Chinese society In Philadelphia appears to
be sharply divided into two classes: the |
Hing and those who do not belong to the
order. In New York the order is known as
the Lun l Tong, and has hall at No. IS
Mott street."
Another society. whose very existence is
shrOuded in the deepest mystery, and whose
sympathies are said to be wholly with the
revolutionists, is known as the Foung Sui,
or Wind and Water Society 1t appeared
in the fall Of 1888. Its organization is said
to be on a military basis, one of the officers
being ii Ii, or captain. Its obligations are
much more severe than those of the Heaven
and Earth league.
Whether the revolutionists contribute
their money to the support of the agitators
| IN China Is a debated question, though mem
| bers of the society deny that such is the
case The greatest difficulty is met with in
obtaining information concerning the socie-
ties, as the members fear that their eonnec-
ton with the revolutionists if known
might prevent their return to their native
land, or would insure their punishment if
they ventured back. Many of them are
exiles, however, through their plots in China
and would not be allowed to return under
any conditions. The growing power OF the
societies has lately given rise to many hopes
among the higher classes of Chinese that
the detssted queue, the badge OF servitude
to the Tartars. may yet be severed and that
China may return to ancient customs.
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLES
Among Americans deeply interested in
the present turn of affairs in China is Lo-
reno R. FISHER, a Camden photographer,
who returned to this country in 1884 after
spending nearly sixteen years In the Flow
cry Kingdom; and in an interview he cas- S
some light on its condition, knowledge OF
which he still maintains through CORE
spondence. During his sojourn abroad be
met all classes of people in the course OF
his business, residing at Shanghai in
winter and in Tientsin during the
| summer months. where he became
| acquainted with the great Ii Hung Chung,
the viceroy and real executive power IN
China. He took a photograph of tbs
viceroy, copy of which is still in his pos
session, and had agreed to photograph the
| emperor himself just before the latter died,
| rumor said, victim to the conservative
element which opposed foreign commerce
| According to Mr.. FISHER mistrust and hatred
| Of the Tartar race is everywhere felt amonl
the downtrodden Chinese, though neces
sarily suppressed, and he witnessed two re-
volts which were entirely owing to this
| spirit stirred up by the secret societies. L,
| Hung Changes position, however, he fail
to comprehend That able ruler
| he says, resides at TIentsin
sixty mill s from the imperial capital a
| Pekin. He is surrounded by body guarC
of 10000 native Chinese from his owl
province in Middle China, forming tn
fiuest army in the land, armed with tn
latest repeating rifles and we'll disciplined
| They make a strong contrast to the Tartar
guards at the capital, who are armed will
ridiculous old match-locks and bows ant
arrows So great is the Chinese distrust o
the emperor that when Ii Hung Chaul
rial palace his guards insist on a dispatch
assuring them Of his safety.
The Tartars, said Mr.. Fisher would gladl,
get rid OF the famous old statesman if they
dared, but any injury to him would brinf
down the Chinese army and host Of meI
who idolize the premier, who would swee
the Tartars from the land. Considering
these facts, 1t would seem that the Chimes
prime minister is not in accord with tn
reigniug house. Yet he has ever refuset
all opportunities to shake Off the Tarta
yoke. Mr.. FISHER declares that many friend
have advised Ii Hung Chang to undertake
the task, which he could easily accomplish
among others Gen. Gordon, but he ha
steadily supported the government, of whic
a weak youth and a decrepit old dowage
empress have for years been the nomina
head.
Europeans, generally, it is said. hav
sympathized with the rebels shedinl
them from pursuit and helping them Z
leave the country. Mr.. FISHER believes tina