Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-16

country and in different parts of the world,
but this probably was the first time that
violence was ever used to get rid of cheap
Chinese labor" Chinese merchants and ar
tisans were prosecuted and maitreated until
they became exasperated, and finally or
ganized In self-defense and fortified them
selves in the quarter where they lived.
The unusual measures which their despera-
ton had suggested were the foundations
for many-wild rumors, and the government
at Manila was convinced that they intended
to massacre the rest of the population.
Massacred by the Spanish.
The governor general called out the
troops and attacked the Chinese. The lat
ter defended themselves with great cour-
age, killed large numbers Of their assail
ants, but were finally driven from the city
and slaughtered as fast they were over
taken. History says that not less than
81, 900 were slain in Manila and other parts
Of the archipelago during this uprising.
But when the officials made an investiga-
ton they soon discovered that the Chinese
were the victims of an almost universal
conspiracy. and sent an envoy over to Can
ton to explain and apologize. Much to his
surprise he discovered that the Viceroy
knew little and cared less about the slaugh-
ter of his fellow countrymen, and affairs
went usual.
For thirty-six years there was peace.
The Chinese recovered their prosperity, in
creased their wealth and became more I'M
portant than ever until 1859, when, exas-
perated over the extortion and oppression
of the local officials, the colony in the little
town of Calambo arose in rebellion and
murdered them The governor general,
who went down to investigate. was resist
ed; Chinese in other parts of LuZon came
to the assistance of their fellow country
men, and the lives of the foreigners were
again believed to be In danger. Images OF
the saints were taken from the churches
and carried into the Chinese quarter,
where the rebels soon after quietly sur
rendered. and in violation of positive
pledges from the governor general, arch
bishop and other officials, 5000 were put 10
death. and an edict was actually published
ordering all the Chinese i'll the colony TO De
slain.
Twenty years later, in 1900. there was an
other great massacre caused by an at
tempt on the part of the Chinese to resist
oppression, and they have occurred with
more or less loss of life until as late as
1920. when the last massacre took place,
which was due to popular belief that the
Chinese were in some way responsible tor
an epidemic of cholera.
Blackmailing the Chinese.
Nevertheless, during all this time the
lofty minded, spaniard was Matchmaking
the insidious Mongol. and kept 1t up until
the very last day before the recent Ameri-
commercial organizations for mutual bene-
fit and protection. Through them the Off
Gals of the government were placated with
frequent and handsome gifts paid for by
tax levied upon the members OF the guild
Various official regulations were adopted
from time to time. In 1886 an edict was
issued limiting Chinese residents IN the
archipelago to 5000; in 1II5 all non-Chris-
tians were given thirty days to sell their
property and close their affairs in obedl-
ence to order of expulsion. The records
show that 515 adopted the Christian faith
to evade the edict, los were permitted to
remain in order to study the blessings of
Christianity and 300 were actually BAN
ished What became Of the rest OF the
population does not appear. Many Chinese
have married native women during all these
years and their descendants constitute
considerable portion of the population.
There are at present about 100000 Chi
nese residing in the archipelago, the recent
census having corrected wide and frequent
misrepresentation. OF these 21,230 reside
in the city of Manila, where they are shop
keepers hemp, sugar, rice and copra snip
pers, manufacturers, brokers, contractors,
commission men and wholesale and retail
dealers in all kinds of goods. Nearly 90 per
cent of the imports that pass through the
Manila customs house belongs to them
They have their own chamber of commerce.
The total of their transactions equals. II
it does not surpass, all the other races in
the Philippines combined. Several of them
mliHOnalreS ana nunuTeuS nave
some fortunes. But they live very quietly
to avoid comment and carry on their bust
ness with as little ostentation as possible.
Several of the largest and most produc-
tive plantations in the islands belong to
Chinese owners, but it is only recently that
they have been able to go into agriculture,
because they dare not live away from the
protection of the police. Several planters
have explained to me the embarrassment
under which they are laboring, because 1t
is impossible for them to obtain labor. No
Filipino however humble poor, is will
ing to work for a Chinaman, no matter
what wages are offered. and there are very
few Chinese farm laborers in the country.
Hence the planters of that race are unable
To till their soil.
Mr.. Nun Yew Chung. for several years
one of the secretaries of the Chinese lega-
ton at Washington has recently arrived
here with a commission as consul general
and has been warmly welcomed by many
friends, who knew him in the United
States.
Since the American occupation 47.164 Chi
nese have landed and 81, $40 have departed.
leaving an addition of about $500 to the
population of the islands during the last
four years.
Rev Mr.. Stuntz presiding elder of the
Methodist church, who has taken a deep
interest in the coolie question, and has
fiourishng mission among the Chinese,
SAYS: THE Chinese are a law-abiding peo-
pie. They do not want trouble. They want
profit In all of the disturbances of the
past seven years they have been strictly
neutral, and have made good money by sell
ing supplies to whichever government hap
pened to be in power. Our army has had
no cause of complaint against them. In
fact 1t is under obligations to them, for
owing to the fact that the 'Chinos' washed
their clothes and cooked their rations and
brought little stocks of goods where they
could be of use that our soldiers were able
to get along as well as they did The
United States has nothing to fear from the
like fairness and justice He will obey the
laws. and keep the peace, and mind his
own business and he will use his influence
at all times to see that his family and EN-
Zen."