New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-25
ATHLETIC CHINESE.
They 4re Factors IN Amateur Sports
TN HazcQH.
TN Hazcdii.

Honolulu, Feb. ia striking example of the
Sioption of American ways by the Chinese of
Sawaii was given in the field meet sports of
the Chinese Athletic Club of this city on the
Chinese New Year. The Chinese Athletic Club
itself is an example Of the same thing. In fact,
Chinese athletics Chinese in athletics and Chi
nese athletic organizations are factors of con-
siderable Importance in amateur sports in Ha-
waii. and form some of the strongest bonds of
mutual good VIII and the most active means of
mutual understanding between the races.
1t is a frequent, almost universal observa-
ton Of visitors to the Hawaiian Islands that
the Chinese of Hawaii seem different from those
Of California and other parts of the mainland
of the United States. They seem less separated
from the white race, and their Oriental charac-
teristics seem less repugnant.
It is faVorite belief of those in Hawaii in
te~ested in such things that the difference is
not in the Chinaman. but in his environment.
Coming here he met with no unfrendliness. no
physical violence because he was a Chinaman,
no discriminating laws. Though there has
never been single case of a Chinese marrying
a white woman of pure blood. intermarriage
with Hawaiian women has been frequent and
the results are said to be almost invariably ben
eicial The children of such unions usually
these intermaTiages gave permanence to Chi
nese residence here. They gave the feeling Of
q common interest in the country and no doubt
did much to break down the barriers that in
America have prevented the Chinese from feel
ing the effect of environment as other aliens
have. or from adopting customs and
life
1t first manifested itself in the schools, where
Chinese youths felt the emulation which prompt
ed competition with compa MONS of other races.
Then as there were schools established espe-
cially for the education of the Chinese youth
these schools emulated distinction in athletics,
and sought the laurel in competition. For many
years Mills Institute, a school primarily for
Chinese, has annually sent representatives, and
teams to compete with pupils of similar age
from Kamehameha School, an institution for
Hawaiian youths and with St. Louis College,
the High School and the Punahou Preparatory
School, in which there were pupils of many
races. In these contests the Chinese. while by
no means the leaders, maintained a creditabIe
record
But these were only the beginnings. \ Chinese
tennis club Chinese athletic club an athletic
department in the Chinese Young Mems Chris
tian Association, Chinese enrolled in practically
every one of the athletic organizations of the
city, and a few Chinese athletes who excel in
some particular branch, give idea of the diff
fusion of the athletic spirit among the Chinese
The Chinese Athletic Club is distinctly ami
mated by race pride ana ambition to demon
strate capabilities and to foster the athletic
spirit among the Chinese and develop athletic
ability among them. 1t was organized some
thing over a year ago, Philip Wong. an
Hawaiian born Chinese, being one of the moving
spirits in its organization and its first presi
dent. Il has from the first maintained an ANA
teur baseball team. which has several times de-
feated the best team that could be mustered in
the two companies of the 10th Infantry United
States Arnv- stationed at Camp Mckinley 1t