The Washington times., 1903-09-20
Former Prime Minister of
Celestial Empire Was in
Washington in Interest of
the BO Wung Wuy.
Secret Society Having For
Its Object DethrOning of
Present Dynasty Nearly
All Cinnamon Favor 1t.

washington is Ieelng the innuence or
the Chinese Reform Society which. de-
spite the efforts of Empress An. which
usually take the form of beheadings and
conhscation of the property of the lead
ers, is obtaining worldwide membership
and Importance.
The name of the order in Chinese is
the DO wung wuy. There are chapters
now in every leading city of the United
States, the largest being in New York,
San Francisco and Chicago, with New
Orleans and Philadelphia close behind.
The society has Just been organized in
Baltin ore, and Washington will follow.
If only sufficient enthusiasm in the
movement can be aroused
One month ago a visit was paid to this
city. all unheralded. by one of the most
distinguished citizens of the Monaghan
empire. 1t was no less a parsonage
than Lung hi Gnu. the prime minister of
China, who escaped to England at the
time that his colleague was beheaded.
an escape which furnished romantic
reading in the press dispatches at the
time. Lung XII Chu's crime was his af-
fliatiOn with the reform movement.
Since his enforced exile he has been dill
gently organizing chapters of the society
for which he risked his life and lost po-
sition and fortune. and that was the oc-
casion of his visit here
Chinese Diplomat Present.
There were no newspaper hourishes,
nor handbills announcing the meeting.
but in that mysterious way known only
to Cinnamon, word was passed through
out Chinatown that on a certain nigat
Lung XII Chu would address his COM
patriots in the hall over the wholesale
grocery store of Kim Lai Yuen & Co,
at 1926 Pennsylvania Avenue. On that
occasion all the merchants and better
class Of Chinese in town were present.
1t is stated on good authority that
member of the Chinese legation was
present. though. of course. not officially.
The objects of the society were ex-
planned. and the foundation laid for
local chapter.
No formal organization was effected
either at that time or since. and ii is
probable the organization will not be
NcAGRlCAtA III SOu4S lALnt- AS q ASpAt
sentative Chinese citizen expressed 1t
yesterday TO a reporter for The Times,
the majority of the Chinese in town are
in sympathy with the movement, bat
the local Chinese population is so limit
ed and so scattered as TO render it diti-
cult 20 form any kind OF an organization.
Change Of Dynasty Imperative.
tn.
ment was clearly and tersely explained
TO the reporter by Chinaman, who, for
obvious reasons. does not wish his name
used. The intelligent Chinaman, says
this man, realizes the evils which affect
his country. and that progress is es-
sential IL the empire shall live. And as
first and essential step toward ad-
yancement. it is believed that a change
of dynasty is imperative. No reform
says this man, can be established under
weakling monarch and an imperious
dOwager. who beheads all subjects that
strive to better conditions.
The 30 Wung Wuy, therefore, has
now, owing to the prosecutions of the
crown, passed from a purely social or
ganization to something which ap-
proaehes very near TO an organized con-
spiracy that has for it's object the SAL
walton OF the empire from foes within
and without. At no time was the state
ment made that violence was contem-
plated to bring about this desired change,
but 1t was readily admitted that for the
crown to pass entirely from the now
reigning family would be the greatest
boon that could befau China
An Official Explanation.
A member of the legation. whose name
also Il would be obviously improper to
use. was approached by The Times re-
porter, and asked as to the attitude
Of the legation toward the Bo Wung
Wuy. This gentleman displayed per-
feet familiarity with the purposes and
status of the organization. and Lung XII
Chu's visit TO this city. He denied that
member of the legation had attended
the meeting, but said the reason was
solely one Of propriety. The legation,
said he, would not oppose the organiza-
tion Of such a league in the same city
with itself It's policy. on the other
hand. would be to take no notice OF the
movement but to remain in Official ig-
norance Of its existence.
He admitted the scope of the move
ment, the purity OF it's motive. and its
probable ultimate success.
In fact. as soon as the subject OF the
Bo Wung Wuy was preached. every Chi
naman entered heartily into the discus
sion. discarding the reserve with which
be usually surrounds himself with for
eigners, leaving the impression, that,
whether there be formal organizing OF
a local chapter OF not. the reform move
ment has a sincere hold on the hearts
OF the Intelligent members of the race
IN this country
HURT IN SALOON FIGHT.
Resin Hepborn and George Lee. ne-