Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-10
Chinese Losses in San Francisco.


Sir Cheng-tung, the Chinese minister, has
returned from San Francisco. where he
went to look after the welfare of his fell
low-countrymen. He says that twenty four
Chinese were killed by the earthquake and
that the entire Chinese population lost
everything they owned. A few of them
saved what they could carry In their hands
as they fled from the fire, but nothing of
value. The earthquake did comparatively
little damage in Chinatown. but the fire
swept 1t out OF existence, and, a rule,
property owners had very little insurance.
One man, Sin Fat, the leading merchant,
lost fully $3.50. Oo0 several others lost from
a quarter to half million each, and
large number more than 100000. But they
have been well taken care of by the relief
agents and have been treated just the same
as the American citizens They have been
given the same food and shelter and Sir
Cheng-tung says they cannot be too grateful
to the officials and the public. He has kept
his government fully advised of the con-
dition of affairs and of the kindness that
has been extended to his fellow-country-
men.
Upon my arrival at San Francisco said
Sir Cheng-tung, Il found $50 Chinese en-
camped in the park of the Preside military
barracks, and 225 In the Willow camp at
Oakland. The rest of the Chinese popula-
ton We're scattered about among the Chi
nese houses that remained standing in San
Francisco and neighboring towns The
first thing l did was to arrange so that all
the abe-bodied men could get work and 1
had committee of Chinese appointed to
look up all who are dependent and provide
for them. We found twenty-eght DEEPEN
dent families in Oakland, sixteen In Berk-
eley, fifteen in San Jose. and some others
scattered around. With the co-operati ton of
Mayor Schmidt and Maj. Irwin of the
army, who has charge of distributing relief
supplies, rented a piece of land and put
up 100 cheap temporary cabins to accom-
modate the dependents. guard was put
over them doctor was appointed to make
a sanitary inspection twice a week, and the
Chinese committee will look after them 1t
will find employment for all the men and
will get sewing machines for the women.
It is understood that the families are to be
allowed to remain there free of rent for six
months By that time they will be able to
take care of themselves and we will then
charge a rent for each cabin so high that
they will seek other places of abode
Chinese Returned to China
at was discovered. much to the surprise
of everybody. that there are only 1900
Chinese in San Francisco. 1 always sup
posed there were between 1000 and % 0C0,
and 1t has been claimed that there were
many as 10000 10000, but the total Chi
nese asking for relief and applying for
passes to leave the city were 1900 In round
numbers We are advising all of the old.
the sick the weak and helpless and all the
We pay their passage, give them money
when they start and arrange for them to
be given more upon their arrival at Hong
kong-a sufficient amount to take them to
their friends Already between 2J0 and 800
have sailed. Nearly every one of them
were aged, infirm widows, and l expect
that 800 or 2OO0 more will take advantage
OF the opportunity.
I'VE received $4,000 relief contributions
from China and $4,000 from the Chinese
in this country, and the expenses OF those
who leave are paid from these funds.
lone embarrassing consequence of the
fire is that all the Chinese residents in San
Francisco los THEIR certificates, and there
will have to be a new registration. In con-
sulting with the commissioner of fmmigra-
ton. it was suggested that perhaps 1t would
be just as well to wait until we see what
Congress is going to do before taking any
steps In the matter. The leading Chinese
merchants In San Francisco want to rebuild
on the old site, where a large number OF
them own property. But it has been sug-
gested that another section of the city be
reserved for the Chinese residents That,
however. has not been decided upon. There
is no way of preventing property owners
from rebuilding on the old sites, but, Of
course they are willing to be reasonable
and do whatever is thought expedient. /
have Mayor Schmidt aand the other OFF,
Gals of San Francisco perfectly fair and
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