The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-07-13
THEIR CIRCULARS BETRAYED
THEM.
Says Chinese Government Learned
Identity of Bow Wong Wui Members
Before He Sent Their Names.

The Chinese situation in Honolulu is
becoming more strained every day, and
each mail from China brings news to
the members of the Bow Wong Wui of
the Imprisonment of members of their
family by the home government.
Members of the local reform assocla-
ton place all the blame for their mis-
fortunes upon Yang Wal Pin, the local
Consul General, but the latter declines
to be held responsible. He says that
the members of the Bow Wong are
themselves to blame in the matter, for
it was through them that the Chinese
government first learned of the forma-
tion of the association in this city.
Whatever he has done he says has been
in purely official capacity, and he
was actuated through no motive of
spite, but was merely following out the
orders which were sent him by Minis
ter WI, the head of the diplomatic SER
vice in America, at Washington, d. G.
Previous to the organization of the
local society" said the Consul General
this morning, Il was directed by Min
lister WI to warn the Chinese in this
district to have nothing to do with any
reform association. These societies had
been formed in China for some time
previous, and while there might have
been some excellent ideas incorporated
in them, there was much that was per-
nicious and against the Chinese govern
ment, and naturally it was thought
wise to discourage my cOuntrymen from
joining. These facts were set forth in
the proclamation which 1 issued. Short
ly after this, however, the Bow Wong
which had organized sent their circu-
lars broadcast over America, and even
to many places in China. These cir
culars gave the names of the various
officers of the society. Naturally the
. .('hinnGn Of
the society in this place. and our gov
ernment soon took cognizance of It.
The Chinese government commune
icated with Minister WI, and asked If
it was true, as stated by the circulars,
that the Bow Wong had been organized
in Honolulu. He turned to me for intor-
nation upon this point, and in January
[ received a communication upon the
subject from him. He requested me to
provide him with the names of the Off
GERS and members of the society, and
also to keep him posted regarding the
progress of the organization. / had
no choice in the matter as it was an
official communication, so l at once
provided him with the information he
sought
Now as to the claims of the mem
bers of the society that their fami-
lies are being imprisoned by the Chi
nese Government l have no informa-
ton and know nothing about it. Ger
tainly, If such is the case the members
of the Bow Wong have no one but
themselves to blame for their trouble
as it was their circulars which first
provided the Chinese government with
the names. can say however that 1t is
the custom of our government to place
under arrest members of the family
of those who who are engaged in work
ing against the government, if of
course it is impossible to apprehend
the real offenders. l regret that the
people should be in trouble and l wish
that it lay within my power to aid
those who are in need of assistance. 1
specially cautioned and advised them
in my proclamation however against
having anything to do with the reform
association and have also used my per-
sonal influence to prevent their join
ing"
Among those, whose families are
feeling the weight of Imperial resent
ment is Ly Lamasi, the bookkeeper of
the Wing Wo Chan Co. of this place.
By the last mail from China Mr. Lam
sal received a letter which stated that
! so Imperial soldiers went to the home
of his father at a small town close
to Canton and destroyed the dwelling
and looted the premises. The father
and mother of Mr.. Lamsai escaped to
Hongkong but the Daternal grandma
ther and who is S5 years of age was
captured and taken to Canton where
she has since been imprisoned tOgeth-
er with an is year old servant girl who
| remained with her. The elder Lam
sal is endeavoring to have the women
| liberated by means of petition to the
Imperial government.