New-York tribune., 1900-07-17
ALARM FELT IN CHINATOWN
REPORT THAT THE BOXERS HAVE A so
CIETY HERE STOUTLY DENIED.

Chinatown was much excited Sunday by perss-
tent reports from various sources that number
Of the Chinese of this city had organized a secret
society of the Big Knife, work in sympathy with
the uprising Of Boxers in China. The meeting
said TO have been held Saturday evening in one Of
the little halls at No. 16 Mott-st., building which
also contains the biggest joss house in the city
The members of the society were said to be
followers OF Confucius and Buddha who were
moved by hatred OF the Christian religion Another
detail was added 10 the story, after it had trav-
elled for a while TO the effect that Chinese who
had just arrived from San Francisco was at the
bottom of the movement.
A number of the prominent Chinese OF the dis
trict, some OF whom members of what they call
the Reform party investigated the report with
great care. They assert that there is not the
slightest ground for belief that the Boxers have
any organization in this city, and do not believe
that attempt will be made 10 form such a So
ciety They realize that they in tight place
and that It would take very little to start a wave
OF popular opinion against them which might be
disastrous They assert that the stories Of local
movement in favor OF the Boxers were started IN
the Bowery for the purpose Of arousing feeling
against them.
Lee sheck wun. a. former Brooklyn missionary
who was educated al Oberlin College. and who now
makes his headquarters at No. II Doyers-st-, was
indignant told OF the rumor of local society
of Boxers.
1T is all on account Of wicked prejudice against
our race criminal desire TO cause US trouble, ne
said. The Christian missionaries OF Chinatown
would be the ones against whom any local Boxers
movement would be directed We would surely
have heard OF any such movement through some
Of the young men who attend mission or school
We have heard absolutely nothing that proved to
be founded on fact when investigated ANY such
movement would be instantly checked
Lee Wun went into a lengthy review OF the
whole Boxer trouble and gave many reasons why
the Chinese of this city are opposed TO their move
rnenr. He said that the Boxers come rom d pa
Of the country so far away from the province q
S+arps TO he as near He wanted TO know II there
was not some way OF putting stop 10 Jhe IellII4s
of false tales about his people.
II is said that on Sunday evening notICes NSL9
sent out bv the Tong or society which looks aIJer
the Chinese restaurants 10 the erect thaJ IN veW
Of the present excitement over ChlneSe alIdIIs A.
would be wise not TO allow parties Of Americans 10
enter the restaurants The notices are Sau 70 ma Ne
consisted of narrow strips or red paper WIZ me
formation in Chinese Chara Cters This shutting out
of Americans refer to regular atrons out
only TO crowds of strangers. None Of the leading
resfallrant keepers would confirm the report yes
terday and guards appeared 70 De on qGly-
There is strong party IN lhlnaIoWn W[llCa 4I vas
was triting with the young Emperor The party
is known TO favor reform in China, and VIII look
Chinese anti-foreign policy II is impossible 10
learn lust What firms behind the reform party,
officers Some money was sent 10 SIiIiL s-luI 80
after the society organized for the purpose OF
helping the reform movement.
4 number of letters have been sent 70 Minister
WI AZ Washington, in the last few weeks, asking
for information and advice He IS said 70 have re
piled through the Chinese COnSul IN TINS cry lAetL
the United States and local authorities would care
fully protect Chinese interests. The leading firms
seem confident Of this, and say they see no need
as yet Of further police protection
Two Sisters Of Charity who have been working
among the Chinese for some time visited the
Although the Chinese said 10 dislike Roman
Catholics more than other missionaries and at