The San Francisco call., 1906-05-17

has established the temporary head
quarters Of the Imperial Consulate at
$50 Telegraph avenue, Oakland, says
that the former merchants and resi-
dents of Chinatown will exercise the
same rights and privileges in relocat-
lag and re-establishing themselves In
this city that other burned out people
are entitled to exercise and that 1t
Is not the intention Of the Chinese
Consulate or the Chinese Minister at
Washington to interfere In a matter
that Consul Poahsi believes will ad-
Just and settle itself along business
lines. In discussing the situation the
local representative OF the Chinese
empire said:
There were from $4,000 to 10000 Chi
nese In Chinatown when the earthquake
and fre came upon US. Theree are now
probably. 1000 Chinese left in the city
mainder are scattered throughout the
State, many Of them going into the
ranch and fruit sections, where there
is much work to be done.
in Chinatown were the same as any
other merchants rights In that locality
before the disaster, and those rights
were not shaken away by the earthquake
that the Chinese merchant will e-estab-
lish himself as best he can in San Fran
cisco, the same as the white merchant
will have to do. The property rights
been impaired by the catastrophe, and
if Chinese merchants decide to rebuild
what is there to prevent them from
doing so? Business conditions will
largely determine ts % what % course the Chi
many Chinese merchants will locate in
Oakland or go elsewhere Is something
that the merchants viii decide for them
selves.
The Chinese Consulate and the Chi
nese Minister at Washington, Sir Chen
tung Ling Cheng, are not concerned
about where Chinatown will be located.
and at this time there does not appear
any reason why the Consul or Minister
should take any part in the negotiations
that are being conducted according to
business methods. The Chinese Minis
Michigan. and we expect that he will
come here on a visit about May 81.
He is not coming on orders from the
home Government, but to ascertain per-
ssonally the condition OF his people and
learn If any relief work Is necessary.
Mayor Frank K. Mott of Oakland
was waited upon yesterday by dele
cation representing the Six Companies
and Chinese merchants, who discussed
with him the location Of new China
town. Tong King Chong, editor of the
Chinese Free Press, acted as spokes-
man for the committee. He said that
1t was the desire of his countrymen
to return to their old places in San
Francisco, but that rather than be
forced to settle at Hunters Point they
would seek another location not so
far removed from the heart OF com
merciaI activity. Editor Chong as
serted that IL the Chinese were per-
mitted to settle in Oakland they would
bring commercial prestige to that
city.
Mayor Mott informed the delegation
that he would take UP the matter with
the property owners and would let. the
Chinese merchants know without de-
lay public sentiment OF Oakland re-
garding the building Of a Chinatown
there.
Tenement houses for Chinese are
already being constructed on four
blocks OF land in Oakland in the vi
cinity of First and Second streets,
Alice, Jackson and Harrison. One
hundred and seven buildings are to be
erected. J. W. johnson. manager OF
the Standard Supply Company, and B
F.. Woolrer, an Oakland attorney, are
promoters OF the scheme.