The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1900-03-23

A man whose head is worth to some
one else $4,000 might well be careful
of it. But Leung Chi-Tso, Chinese re-
former, now in Honolulu, seems little
more particular OF keeping his head at
tached to his body than is the average
II an with no price offered for his kill
ing. He drives, walks and stands
about the streets of Honolulu with ap-
parent disregard for danger. A close
observer might notice, however that
he one or two Chinese who always ac-
company him, watch like hawks the
movements of their charge. Possibly
/ search might disclose that both
Leung Chi-tso and they were armed
Ind ready for an attack.
Leung Chl-tso has been here since
December 81, on which day he was
.anded by the Hongkong Maru from
Yokohama. He had escaped the slares
laid for him by the spies of the Dow
ager Empress of China. At her orders
he Chinese Government offered a re-
ward of 100000 taos, or about $50 900,
for his head laid down in China. Lii
dung Chang was especially deputed to
.ook after the delivery to the authori-
lies of that portion of the reformer's
anatomy above his shoulders, and to
pay the reward to the person or per-
sons bringing it.
Leung Chi-tso is an interesting man.
Without thought of the enormous val
ue OF his head removed from his body,
one could not fail to mark the forceful
personality of the man, who made per-
haps the biggest stir, without recourse
20 arms, of any citizen of the Chinese
Empire in many years. He Is young,
robust, bright-eyed and collected in
his demeanor, noting everything about
him, weighing well his answers to
questions but showing no fear of any
thing.
Yesterday an Advertiser reporter in
terviewed him. 1t was not hard to get
20 see him He lives near the center
of town in n small house retired from
the street, and shares the dwelling
with several others who are devoted to
his cause. The casual mention to
leading Chinese editor that he wanted
to talk with Leung Chl-tso gained the
Meet me on the corner of Beretania
and Emma streets at $3.50 O'clock"
said the editor, and l will take you
to his home"
Leung Chi-tso was seated in the par
lor He wears American clothes rather
awkwardly. He rose to shake hands
and his secretary, interpreting his
greeting, said that he wished the Wis
itor good-day. The youth Of the noted
reformer was rather shocking. Fancy
had painted a grave, deep-lined face.
Instead was smooth, boyish-looking
big, brown eyes that
laughed and analysed at once, and
most prominent of his
features - large, with remarkably
teeth, white and irregu-
ar.
Leung Chi-tso speaks some English.
It's limits were, however. too small to
permit OF his explaining his mission.
The Advertiser reporter did not speak
so all the conversation was
the interpreter Leung Chi |
tso has the Chinese way of never an
swering questions directly. Ask him |,
how old h Is, and he talks for several |
minutes about some other subject
He Is ~ years old, is married, and !
has girl baby. His wife, who was the
sister OF the Inspector General OF Col
leges in China, Is living in Japan. His
father was teacher In the Sun Wui
district OF the province OF Canton,
Leung was bright scholar, said the
Interpreter, and at 10 years of age had
secured the degree OF B,A.; at l6 was
an MA, and at 22 had embarked In
political life at Pekin. Then he Joined
the reform party, organized in 1895,
with a membership of progressive, ed
rcated men who sought to change the
existing laws and customs and to drag