The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-06
ANOTHER HIGHLANDER WAR
The Chinese longs Are Busilv
Preparing for Hos
tilitieS.
FIGHTERS ARE INCORPORATING
Under Cover of Protective and
Benevolent Associations to
Avoid Arrest.

The highbinders in Chinatown are put
ting on their warpaint, and in consequence
the district bounded by California, Kear-
ney, Pacific and Stockton streets is in a
terment. Rival gangs have a grievance,
and trouble is expected at any moment.
The Chinatown squad was on the alert all
of yesterday, and Sergeant Esola made
TWO or three trips through the perturbed
colony IN order to ascertain what was
going on.
A week ago some one delegated bv the
highbinders posted a notice to the effect
that extortions, as practiced by the notice
in the employ of the Six Companies. would
not be tolerated. Chief Crowlev's China
town squad was labeled white devils ~
and the circular assumed quite belliger-
ant tone. Since that time one of the de-
funct highlander companies has incorpor-
ated under the laws of California as a pro-
tective and benevolent society. The art
icles have been filed with the County
Clerk, and the Sam Yup Society is now en-
titled to as much protection as any other
society of like kind in the City.
Since its formation Chief Crowley's
white DEVILS as Chinese call them, have
been in quandary. Raiding the head
quarters of gang of highbinders and
breaking into the assembly-room OF an
association incorporated under the laws Of
the State are quite different things, even
though it is known to every one on the
police force that protective and beneVo-
lent" is only another name for high
binder" 1t did not take the incorporated
tong long to find out that the police did
not care about interfering with it while its
credentials from the County Clerk were on
the walls of its headquarters.
Action against the Chinese Six Com
panies' police was accordingly taken, and
it is confidently asserted that the high
binders gained their point, and surveillance
of sly opium dens and houses of bad repu-
tation by Chinese has been discontinued.
Emboldened by their success, the mem
bers of the protective and benevo-
lent society. stole Chinese slave girl
from wealthy member of the Six Com
panies, who, with his friends, at once ap-
piled to another tong for assistance. The
latter are now on the warpath.
Wildcats have been cooked and eaten to
give the warriors courage. Knives have
been sharpened and revolvers loaded, so
that two or three highbinders are liable at
any time to occupy slabs in the Morgue.
Sergeant Esola and the entire downtown
police force are on the alert however, and
the first attempt at an outbreak will start
a raid that will probably break up the
protective and benevolent society"
In speaking about the matter last night,
prominent attorney, well acquainted with
the Chinese, said the whole trouble was
got up simply to test the power of the new
association. If it was shown that the po-
lice were powerless to interfere with an
incorporated society holding regular meet
ing, then every highlander gang in the
City would incorporate. and murders and
shooting affrays would be of daily occur
renee in Chinatown.