The Washington times., 1904-05-18
NO JOBS ARE OPEN
IN CHINESE ARMY
American Officers Not Want
ed, Says Legation.
DOINGS OF BOW WONG WOUY
Offer of Commissioners aid to Be the
Scheme of Celestial Re
form Party.

SfeSSfnen as the result Of the printed
report that the Chinese government IS
offering commissions TO American Off
GERS 10 serve under Emperor Kwang Su,
the Chinese legation here has issued
statement in formal denial Of the story.
The minister declares the imperial gov
eminent Of China has no cognizance
whatever Of such an enterprise, and if
any recruiting is going Oh it is entirely
unauthorized.
CompelS Attention.
He feels compelled to take notice of
the report in view OF the avalanche of
communications asking for the informa-
ton which daily pours into the legation
Many of these are from officers who
held prominent positions in the United
States army during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war: others are from members of
the National Guard in all parts of the
eountr--.
Not content with mere application by
mail. some of these soldiers have en-
listed the aid Of their Representatives to
personally visit the minister with q Wow
to securing one or the commissions he
fore they are all used up. Report had
1t that 1000 officers could get jobs.
Nothing Doing.
The minister has turned the letters
over TO his secretaries. As fast as the
typewriters at the legation can lie
pounded reply is sent to all applicants
that the whole thing is a hoax, as far as
the legation is concerned and that 10
sucn man as Gen S. A. English, Ct
Yankton. S. D.. is recognized by the
Chinese government.
1t is the evident belief If the Chinese
legation officials that the General Eng
hsh mentioned is none other than 4
paio agent of the Bow Wong WOuy'
This extraordinary Chinese secret So
clety claims TO represent a reform party
IN China, whose object is TO overthrow
the present government, and. by Gust
ing the Empress Dowager from the
palace at Pel0in, 10 establish a new
regime
Do Not Like It.
The officials here little relish the new
prominence which this secret society at
tains through the present incident. as.
In reality. it is claimed to be absolutely
without influence or power.
Minister Liang-Cheng is thoroughly
familiar with the history of the soeie.y
At the time of its first organization. nine
Years ago. he was a personal friend OF
the man who started il at Pekin, LANG
Chez Cheeao, who is now an exile IN
Japan.
In fact. the minister's intimacy with
Cheeao nearly got him into trouble.
though he very clearly proved he had
nothing whatever TO do with the alleged
reform party CheeaO fled for his
life. and even now, il is said, would be
executed should he return TO China
Offered CheeaO a Job.
Former Minister WI Ting-fang is also
in a way involved in CheeaO's fortunes
since they We're great friends. When
Mr. WI first got his appointment 10 the
United States he offered the position Of
first secretary TO Cheeao. who refused
il on the ground he could accomplish
more by remaining at home. his for
Tunes at that time being at their zenith.
Only a year ago in July this same
Checao came TO America His advent
was made the occasion of a great cele-
bration on the part of the Bow
Wcngs," who have branch organiza
tons throughout the United States, and
are particularly strong IN san Fran
cisco. The headquarters OF the New
ork section is at 20 Mott Street, AMI
there We're great doings IN that vicinity
q: the time
A Celestial Feed.
Not content with that feature. how
ever. the leaders determined TO make a
still greater display and a big BANQUET
was held at Delmonicos. al which a
number Of prominent New York men
We're present Cheeao outlined the pur-
poses of the Bow Wongs" in glowing
terms and promised an early overthrow
Of the Empress DOWager and her en-
tire court Agents of the society We're
also present from Australia and South
America.
Then Cheeao decided 10 come TO Wash
ingtOn 10 pay a visit 10 his old friend
Sir Chentung. The minister got wind
Of his coming Cheeao was met at the
door and the minister gave him very
plainly 10 understand he did not care TO
compromise himself by receiving the
agent OF a society. whose one aim was
10 overthrow the government. which ne.
the minister represented. Cheeao went
back a sadder. but wiser man.
General English Appears.
II was in connection with Cheeao's
American tour that General English. Of
South Dakota. made his star play with
the Bow WOngs. When the head Of the
society reached San Francisco the Of
ncials there We're not inclined to give
him a very cordial reception. CheeaO
sent for English and the latter appear
ed before the immigration authorities In
naughty spirit.
In response 10 the question by whose
authority he demanded CheeaO's admit
tance. English said, Il represent the
i
authorities communicated with the min
lister at Washington and found he did
not recognize any such agent not 70 be
daunted English informed the officials
THE minister didn't amount TO any
thing. as he only represented the En-
press: but the real people were those
who stood BY Kwang Su, The Emperor"
Pu Lun's Mistake.
When Prince Pu Lun. nephew Of the
Emperor on his recent tour reached
San Francisco. among the dozens Of pc
titions presented 10 him by Chinese resi-
dents Of the west coast was one from
the Bow Wong branch in that section.
II was deemed best by Prince Pu Lun' S
advisers he should receive these papers.
even II no attention should be paid tc
them.
The fact that he took the paper is
now thought 20 account for the sudden
spread OF the report that the prince was
IA league with the reform party, and
was advertising for American officers
10 serve in its army. In reality il is
said the prince did not have the slight
est inkling Of the recent report. and
neither be nor his uncle Is In the
least favorable 10 the new party's pur-
poses.
Cheeao is leading a quiet life at Yoko-