The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-18
THAT CHINESE CONSPIRACY.
Sensational Developments tx
pected by Officials.
SAUNDERS REFUSES TO TALK.
The ~x-CofIecfor Tnfimates That He
Has = story OF Another s"'"r IN
R~serv~-some More samples of
wee Gees Letter Wrffiog-Nhere
Chinese .Nerehsnts" Were Sent
so-How Suspicion Was Aroused

Developments Of sensational character
are expected daily In the investigation row
being conducted by special agents and en-
ployes or the treasury department con-
corning the alleged unlawful landing Of
Chinese at Port Townsend.
The evidence taken before Commissioner
Klefer. as published In yesterdays Post
JnteIlsenoss. has tended TO arouse pub
JIG interest 10 pitch equale6 only b the
sensational unearthlng Of the operations
of the Chinese and opium snuggiers six
years ago. resulting In the seizure Of the
steamer HaytIan Republic. and the trial
and conviction OF number os treasury
officials.
The publication Of the reflections on ex-
Collector Saunders. contained In the let
tors and alleged 10 have been written by
Zee Gee to his yicforia and san Francisco
correspondent. has likewise aroused ne
friends Of the ez-coilector, who det larc
that he Is being made the butt OF personal
splfe and persecution on the part Of trse
OF the treasury officials. ~ho have been
active In digging up evidence tending 10
show the existence OF an organized band OF
men engaged IN abetting the illegal entry
OF Chinese immigrants.
None OF the officials engaged IN prepar-
Ing the case for the government can be In
duced to discuss the matter. Referring 70
the published attack on one of tic offi-
eials. another. who is certainly free from
motives OF the character indicated BY Mr.
saunders defenders. said sententiousiy:
Prem the flutter that has followed the
first days testimony IN the case, Il might
seem fhaf some one had been hit" WITH
This the officials lips shut up Ike a eiam
nj high tide.
Will, Mr.. Saunders friends are claiming
for him eanapiete Innocence. which has not
vel beer questioned by the government,
the startling fact remains that 500 Chinese
immigrants obtained entrance 70 tie
United States through Port Townsend. ~
merchants during the four months end
Ing August !.
taking the evidence introduced hy tho
government IN the Gee case for what i
purporsz 10 be. Il wonid seem that the
continuation employed IN the business Of
assisting IN the unlawful lsnding Of Chi
nsse hAfl Determined 10 make the most Of
The oppnrtuuifles at It's disposal during the
administrator Of colleeior Saunders OF
the so thus landed as merchants. 10
went To Portland. - came - Seattle =
were eousfzhes 10 Port Townsend. % were
distributed between Helena. Mlssouls and
Butte. Mont: walla walia so, 81 and spo-
kane %.
The unusual number Of merchants OBJ
taiusng entry into the country. as revealed
by the records M Port Townsend. had the
effect Of arousina the suspicion Of the Off
ciais AZ Washington that frauds were be-
Ing perpairased on the government ~ Port
Towussnd Without doing anything likely
Ia alarm the couspiratDrs. the treasury de-
partment a. once set at work to ascertain
the exact condition of affairs. Events were
allowed TO move slowly. lest the guilty
cres might take fright and erase their nee
farloua work The most experienced ana
trusted men al the disposal Of the assist
ant secretary. having charge OF tho cus-
toms were called In ana reports from this
sflatrlcl we're thoroughly serutlnized. Tire
local agent az the department.. Leslie Cul-
Ion. was Instructed 10 examine the records
Al For. Townsend and rerort with the at
cost fi-ratch the results az his nquirieL
X ~1x not LONG hcf1re tho assistant see-
retary &ax IN possession 81 alarming es'-
as~tA Tbs feet, "a they appeared. Me-
lid 6,fcrs Secretary Gage. 4 eonauil>-
,,as resiilted IN summansaw George "
Whitehead from New Yar< a saes al
aren't. viss hss sscp twenty-five v~ars' q.
vice IN the Seq rtusn% ana vao inspected
this G.sriet suly las. w.sfer. Stccir~
Tlnpioye Lewis OF Kew York. was Aa-
tailed 10 assist Mr.. whitehead They ar
RIVED here three weeks ago. and without
telling any ore OF their mission. although
II Vas known 70 The officials here. they
e. about gathering evidence which IVES
cxorrset 20 threw some light upon The
rsasactieas which then appeare3 ques-
iionable ia the eyes OF The authorities Il
hos actually criminal.
How suSc1ssfni hoy were viii only See
known wh.n thc fun case FOR the Fo,etn-
sasnt Is shown IN The i'cdesal court That
the oftlcers named have found wo,x
enough 2 keep 'hem here several weeks
and as they show eo Indication az le>-
iny. L i apparent fhnt they have lsarn a
enough - va 9aut q further ard thor
eusis prosecution OF The inquiry thas
sSeun.
ICE Gee Ntip Individual.
Zee Ger p veil-ha.lt. olly-iooklnT e..
lsstiai VIII shrcw3n ~ sticlsing oat i,
sNsrs line 81 his counfensuce. aud the rfn-
nin- - hss race glet Ming from his iva
dark. aimcnd-shapea optics lie lacks
wef~fed sad prosperous and Is evidently,
m HfksfaS flt end ambitious f1an- Ills fet-
iers Indicate confidence ia ainsslf ana
his surroundings, ana A thorough fauH-
iartfy with the rules and reeulaega,,s ~
the customs serv}cc. The case sx,arhr.i a
eliminating poini wigh tho discovery al tfs
discriminating ieftar~ ia the store az \,
- Washington stc1ei. Pore Tuwes.rl
When their copte6ts were made els.-
thronsa The translaitons rs ne. G4rsn.r
INC ehassAiA deahsiess felt rewarded fo-
the hard work thcy aad dane
Gee has carried himself well zl,>. At.
trouble began. he has Saia hpt lgtsi, !,
any one bur his attorneys. He anr,.,.
indifferent 70 the CHARGES aeagnxf ARA, ..,.t
confident in the outcorne 81 ths ra<e
Little has yet been made knoUn r,o-
eefhlhs the FACILITY with which Tee rssis
ssp the forged merchant cerfln...t@s 49,
he furnished hts Victoria ,.ar~eer,fss....,.
u the letters introduced jn eylsfenet ar =,
be believed Tie speaks Of hsx4n- ~.