Los Angeles herald., 1905-10-22
LOCAL C0LONlSTS WATCH
AFFAIRS AT HOME
Prominent Member Of Bong WI WI
Of Los Angeles Says Advocates of
Civilization Are Prepared for
Any Emergency


celebrate in proper manner, as soon as
confirmation Of certain news received
several days ago in the local China
town is made.
The first reports came about a week
ago. Ever since Minister WI left his
fowery kingdom for a trip to the vari-
GUS countries Of the world on an eXpe-
dttion to study parliamentary condi-
tions, the members of the reform asso-
ctation In all parts Of the world have
been anxiously watching his move
ments, as his report may mean life or
death to them. 1t is rumored by high
authority that the empress dowager will
abide strictly by Wu's decision, and
now the report has been received that
1t is highly probable a favorable re-
port will be made.
Wu left the fiowery kingdom several
months ago. He is now visiting among
the European powers and is learning
the intricacles of self government. He
Will return to his native country before
many months have past and then the
report of the former minister to Amer
lea will be read and a revolution or
happy settlement Of Chinas trouble
will result.
The mobilization of troops, for the
purpose Of drilling, now taking place in
China Is taken by local members of
the Bong WI Wui as an omen that
the empress will be ready for any
emergency.
Hope for Peace
On the other hand they have great
hopes of peace and plenty for the land
Of the celestials.
China has been wrecked by revo-
luton and trouble for long time and
the rule Of the old woman has been
a hard one" said a prominent member
of the Los Angeles reform society yes
terday, in discussing the situation.
I'VE have been held back for hum
dreds of years, while western civiliza-
ton was putting younger nations far
ahead of us, and this setback has to a
great extent been due to the terrible
superstition of the Chinese regarding
the digging of a hole in the ground.
"Of course only cite this as one
instance of their many superstitions,
but there are in China today millions
of dollars worth of first class minerals,
waiting to be taken out of the ground
as soon as some enterprising company
starts to work. But the natives OBJ
ject.
"They have been carefully schooled
to fear an opening in the ground. If
a shaft was sunk in the neighborhood
Of a Chineman's garden home or truck
patch, he would appeal to the priests
of the neighborhood. There would be
trouble Immediately. The case might
be taken to the higher courts or left
to the tender mercies of the people of
the neighborhood, and in either case the
engineer who sunk the shaft would be
lucky to escape with his life.
This has been one of the great draw
backs of our country. The old woman
fearing the advance of civilization,
holding on with grim grip to every
vestige of her power, watching every
move of the westerner with suspicion
and hate and has managed to instil
her spirit into the hearts of her priests
and subjects, and as a result, China
has refused civilization.
I'VE, the reform, have been working
for relief from this condition. We
have sent our young men to every part
Of the world to learn trades as the
westerner teaches them: to study civil
ization and modern improvements. We
have no idea of stirring up a bloody
revolution. That is one of the points
that at this time divides the Los An
geles Chinatown. All the Chinese of
this country believe in the reform
movement. Half Of the Los Angeles
people believe that the best way to
secure this reform Is to step in with
fire and sword and wipe out the dow
ager and her ministers with their false
teachings from the face Of the earth.
That is where the true reformer differs
with his brother.
Desire Peaceful Settlement
"a peaceful settlement is what we
desire. We want change in govern
ment for the better. We do not de-
sire to deprive the old lady of any of
her powers and we do not desire her
death. We want the people to have a
chance to assist In their own govern
ment. We want every man to have a
fair trial without the terrible amount
of perjured evidence that now marks
all Chinese trials. We want the des-
potic rule of the priesthood to cease
and for this purpose we are educating
and drilling our young men so that
when this change is made we will have
men at hand ready to step in and take
hold of the government of the people
and show them how to act as a civilized
race
"In this way the change could be
easily made and China would come
lethargy and take a place where 1t
belongs, in the front ranks of the
worlds powers.
"There is not one thought of self
advancement in the hearts of any
member of this society. We are all
working with might and main for the
love of our land, for her betterment
and the betterment of the race. That
is all there is to the movement. We
are not quartering armed troops on
your land and we are trying to con-
form to every rule and law of this
people.
America Their Friend
America has always been a friend in
need to us. The exclusion law has been
the one great thorn in the side Of our
people. We have wanted to deal with
Americans. They are Christians and
honest tradesmen, but what can we do?
The coolie should not come into your
country, but as for the rest, we feel
hurt and grieved that a negro, Rus
sian, a Japanese, or any other kind Of a
person on the face of the wide world
can come to this land without trouble,
while the most educated men of our
country, our millionaires, our repre-
sentatives, all are herded together and
treated in a manner which Is a dis
grace to any civilized country.
"At present the reform movement in
China is very strong. We have hundreds
of temples there and they will make
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