New-York tribune., 1900-07-22
CHINESE TRIAL FOR ARTIST.
ACCUSED OF SELLING INFORMATION TO
A NEWSPAPER-HE DISAPPEARS.

w. Kaf Kee an enterprising Chinese artist and
sign painter of No. l Doyers-st, is in serious
trouble through endeavor to realize on his
knowledge OF China by selling maps, sketches ana
Chinese inscriptions to newspaper Of this city
He is said to lave refused answer the sum-
mons ordering him before the local Chinese court,
and was not present a meeting held ON Friday
night at No. IS Mott-st for the purpose of trying
him. The Chinese say that he Is row in hiding
somewhere about the city suburbs. They have
several men out looking for him, and say that
he will surely be apprehended before many hours
The court which was called for the purpose OF
trying him is said TO have sent out orders that
none of the merchants are to protect him.
w. Kai KEGS offence is most peculiar one. II
he were an American he could laugh at the charge
against him. and if bothered in any way could ap-
peal to the police for protection Being Chinese
he has the right to appeal TO the police but
as long he Is in his right mind he will hardly
find any mirth in the charge.
Early in the week he Is said to have drawn
Chinese inscription of very exctable nature and
TO have alleged it portion of an official
poster sent here from Washington by Minister WI
for the purpose of telling the Chinese Of this city
about the war in their fatherland- The Chinese
characters which Kee is said TO have executed
were Din Shut WI Yen which means, Root out.
kill foreign people"
KEE AVOIDS THE MEETING.
The Chinese were much excited when this IN
scription appeared. They were afraid it would
add to the strong sentiment against Jutlu hSS
did not know just who was the author until later
in the week when ". Kat Kee's name appeared
in connection with some maps and sketches The
sketch was a crude affair. said to represent the
WI Sing forts near Shanghai Dragon flags and
many guns were most prominent kee was proud
of his work and made effort to conceal his
connection with the matter. He is said TO have
boasted that he received $50 for the work and that
he was going do more of it.
Then turn in affairs which must have
lowered KEGS opinion OF himself Messengers
passed around among the merchants with little
slips of red paper. which announced that a meet
ing would be held at s O'Clock Friday evening TO
try the enterprsins artist. Judge Lung the newly
elected Mayor of Chinatown. is said to have called
the meeting. 1t attended by members Of the
Sun Kwog On. Wing Woh Chong Bow Tai Wo,
Kuan Tang Lung, Wing Yu Lung and other
prominent companies who have stores in Mott and
PeH SITS. Kee did not to the meeting, al
though he Informed that he must be present
The meeting is said to have been lively one
although action was taken. 1t is alleged that
harsh speeches were made against the painter, and
that the condemnation of his action general
II any of his friends were at the meeting. they
were in favor of deciding the case in spite OF the
absence of the accused. y was finally decided to
Chinese merchants said yesterday that news Of
Ine palnter S work had reached Mlnlster Wu az
They say that he asked Tsz Chi Chow Chinese
E9t stop to further EFFORTS Of the kind. At the
DoTter was not able TO secure either condrston
or denial Of this report 1t was admitted that ac-
sion was given out that the matter u would @ be set
tied among the merchants of Chinatown
| DRAWINGS OF FORTS AT HOME
| W. Kai Kee lives with his wife at No f3 Mott
| st. No strangers admitted to his quarters
| yesterday, and II said that Kee was not at
| home. His wife could not be seen. She Is one of
the best educated Chinese in this city. hav-
| ing been brought up by a prominent Chicago wOm-
| nese signs and is clever with a pen When on a
visit to China. several years ago he made drawings
of the principal fortihCatOnS of the Empire, and
| has large portfolio of accurate plans.
"kal kee is a fool said a Mott-st merchant
| yesterday 70 a Irlhune reporter. He has riSked
his reputatio ana business for few dollars which
| he did not need. If he does not obey the Chinese
| court his business will be ruined. It Is hard TO
| sent back to China, which is about the worst
Punis hTent that can be put upon Chinese who is
| The Rev. HUE Kin OF the Presbyterian Chinese
| Mission, was seen yesterday at No SO Fifth-ave
| and said:
| "A meeting OF the Chinese business men Of this
| city called TO try Kai Kee but he did not at
| tend. 1 understand that action postponed, al
| course. a has right make his living in his
| own way but he has no right to print things that
| Will injure his cOUntrymen. The inscription adViS-
| ing that all foreigners be killed might have done
| us much harm"
probably be brought is one Of the unique features
OF all foreign Chinese settlements. The MOugolians
do like to do business before foreign courts 1t
legal formalites and extensive red tape which
| round case in court. As far dealings among
| themselves are concerned the Chinese usually
| satisfied with the decision of the Judge or Mayor
| who Is elected yearly at a meeting OF the Toncs.
| Many firms which have large dealings with the
usually get satisfaction. The meets as often
as is necessary. in room back Of the joss house,
| on the fourth door Of No. l6 Mott-st.
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