Washington sentinel., 1900-08-25
TT, .TS, SENTINEL
E REV
OLUTlON-
AIRY JUNTA.

Wong Woey. The patriotic MEM
bers Of this large movement realize
the tate toward which the empire
is drifting, and they know that the
policy OF the Empress Dowager IS
only giving the foreign nations ad-
ditional reasons for grabbing land,
Their proposals, therefore, 60 to
the extreme length OF deposing the
Empress or depriving her OF power.
If possible, they will put back upon
the throne the young Kwang Hsu
and surround him with counsellors
from their own body, or they will
elect from among the hundreds OF
titled people whose sympathy has
been enlisted either openly or
secretly some person who unCer-
stands their purposes and Will be
ready to execute them,
The purity OF motive and the alb
solute sincerity OF the adherents Of
Kong Yo Wei are suggested in the
nature OF the organization which
he established. From the outset
it was made universal in its mem.
bership. No oath or other test OF
loyalty was imposed. 1t was pre-
sumed that nothing but patriotism
would lead a Chinaman to affiliate
himself with the movement. Heads
are at no premium in the Celestial
Kingdom, and short shift is the lot
OF the fellow who runs alOul of the
powers that be. Wherever a
Chinaman may be, he is at liberty
to be a member oi the Po Wong
WoeY il he is IN sympathy with its
aims. He may take an active part
in its operations, or he may merely
lend it his moral encouragement.
The order is as free and broad as a
republic,
AS another evidence OF the CO.
hesive power Of the movement, it
is noticeable that there is no con-
s'itutlon or general declaration Of
principles. There appear to be no
formal officers. The leadership is
as voluntary as the membership.
In the smaller juntas scattered
through the United States, Canada
and Hawaii, an informal secretary
transmits the funds to the general
officers at Macao or Hong Kong.
There are no other officers. How
so extensive a scheme can be sue
cessfully carried upon so informal
a basis is, OF course, a matter 70 be
wondered at, yet the liberalitY OF
the organization is undoubtedly
the secret Of its success. 1t
places the Chinaman solely upon
his honor, and the obligation to
that often mythical element Of
human nature seems to please him.
The Chinaman, although he
always walks in single file, is a
gregarious creature. He is fond
oil gatherings. He likes to chatter.
He likes vocal noise. He likes
heroics. He likes to be doing
something. And when he is way
from home--in America, in Can
ada, in Hong KonP-the possibili-
ties OF the junta suit well his habits,
He focks to it with his fellows. 1t
is his pastime-his serious, always
informal pastime.
Like all patriotic movements,
the Chinese Junta receives liberal
financialsupport. Cinnamon give
to it as the merchants OF Western
cities contribute to the advertising
OF their towns, or as politicians
contribute to a campaign fund. All
subscriptions are voluntary. No
member is expected to pay fixed
sum into the treasury.
None of the officers, either Of the
main order or OF the branches, re-
ceives any salary. The only ex-
penses are for stationery, hall rent
and the like. Meetings are not held
at special times or places. Indeed,
in this respect the junta is like al
most all revolutionary movements,
An old hall, dilapidated and ready
to fall, answers for the Reform
Chinaman, as a barn answered Tor
the anti-slavery advocates in the
United States. In the cities Of the
coast of China, as in Hawaii and
the United States, all gatherings
are sirikingly, almost amusingly
informal. For example, a recent
gathering in Seattle was held in an
ancient and tumble down structure
in one Of the most unimproved
portions OF the town. It was owned
and donated to the use Of the juuta
by one Of the members. There
was no one to be seen vino might
be called a head Of the society,
the statement was made
that there was "president." Dur
ing the two hours the doors were
open a constant stream Of China |
men was passing in and out. All
was in Chinese, and it |
was Just such a gibberish as one
hears on the streets Of Peking over |
some local excitement. At one |
end OF the ball an intelligent look
ing Chinaman, who proved TO be |
the secretary, sat on a bench and |
inscribed hieroPlyphics on a piece
Of paper, presumably making a
record Of the speeches. Now and |
again there would he a gradual |
hush when some strong voice
would rise above the others and |
Tor a few moments dominate the
hall. Generally after such efforts
a few strangers would go to the
front, deposit from twenty-five |
cents to one dollar for the first
months dues, and without further
become full fiedged |
members.
Ot course, the promoters Of the