New-York tribune., 1901-11-29
SWITCHING CHINANEN.
PROFITABLE BUSINESS THAT ENGAGES
MEN IN MANY CITIES-$200 FOR
EACH CHINAMAN.
rnv rryrcEspE TO THE TRIBUNE

Tonawanda n Y Nov. 27.-The Federal au-
/ shorities consisting of the customs offcers ana
Secret Service agents in the employ of the govern
| n,ent have learned that the Cinnamon who are
| being smuggled across the Niagara River from
| Canada at this point and along the river are
| brought over by organized gang 1t Is De-
leved that this vicinity will rival Malone. N y.
| and Burlington, Vt, point for Chlnan1en 10
enter the country Illegally. Many arrests have
been made on the Niagara frontier by government
officers In the last few weeks. Several members OF
the gang of alleged smugglers are now In jail
The smugglers said to have headquarters in
several large cities of this country and Canada
including Montreal, Toronto, New-York. chicago
San Francisco and Boston 1t is SAID mat fhls
gang a rival the that plies It's business In
the vicinity of Malone and the towns of Northern
Vermont. The customs officers base this belief al
most entirely upon the fact that different sys-
tenn is used by the smugglers who are bringing
Cinnamon across at this point.
At the offices of the gang at Toronto and Mont
real the Cinnamon who about to come over re-
ceive instructions where to go and at what point
on the frontier they may meet an agent who Will
conduct them safely into the United states.
point six miles up the river seems to oe the
favored rendezvous From the Canadian shore they
are brought in small boats. usually four
Cinnamon coming over at a time. They are ac-
companed by two or three white men Inc trip
across the Niagara Is made in darkness.
ChINAMEN AS DETECTIVES.
Uncle Sam has in his employ several clever
Cinnamon who are keeping strict watch on all
the laundries in Buffalo TO learn if the smussled
men are aided by their countrymen. From Buffalo
and Tona wa nda those who arrive in this country
Illegally distributed throughout the county.
When they are arrested. which occurs occasion
ally. they seem to have no good excuse TO offer Tor
their presence in the United States.
The gang that is operating the underground ralI-
road at Malone and Burlington IS more up 10 date
in it's methods The Chinese that are being brought
eyade II fact 1t is part Of their programme
arrested. If they get in w! hout running INTO
the arms of of Uncle Sans officers they 40
not feel safe. They constantly in fear OF beng
arrested subsequently, and they would prefer 10
have IL done at first. they are able to produce
evidence they have a legal right TO stay here
When placed trial they affirm that they were
China when they ba beS. Then IL Is up TO
the government to prove that their stories are un-
true. OF course the exclusion act cannot prevent
American citizens from staying in this country even
though they be Of Mongoii1n descent.
WORKERS IN OTHER CITIES.
The offices Of the smugglers at Boston. Chicago,
San Francisco and New-York operated In the
interests Of the Chinese after they smuggied
into the United States. The in charge OF
these offices find employment for the
and also witnesses when necessary. prove that
the Cinnamon in the United States legally. and
not contrary TO law.
The fee charged for getting n Chfnaman into
this country and keeping him here after his arrival
is usually 500. This varies according TO the
There is much money in the business for the
snuEgiers. as a great many Cinnamon are brought
in annually, and only those that arrested
heard of through the newspapers.