The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-15

One OF the most unusual shipments ever
sent out of Washington will be made
shortly. when the remains of nearly a
hundred Chinese who have died in this
city will be started on the way 10 their
last resting place, TO the land of their
birth Representatives of the Chinese
government in Washington have the mat
ter in hand. and are making arrange
ments for the dsinterment at the Congress
sional Cemetery. where most of the bodies
have been buried.
1t is the one thought in the mind Of the
Chinaman, whether he is at home or
elsewhere. that when the end Of his days
may come he will be In the land OF the
Orient. When he goes abroad 10 seek
his fortune he does not forget, and IL
death overtakes him before he returns
he dies hoping that eventually his bones
all that remains OF him-win be taken 10
China and laid away in the earth sur
rounded by millions OF others.
The custom Of burying the bones Of
the dead brought from other countries
has been handed down from tradition
for hundreds Of years. Knowing that If
their relatives neglect them the govern
ment will attend TO the details and pay
them the last honor Of seeing that their
remains are at last placed where they
should be, the Chipese In the United
States and all over the world. when
taken sick, patiently await death and
pass away without Offering complaint
Generous to- Dead.
To its citizens abroad China is one Of
the most generous nations on the face Of
the earth. When thousands Of Chinese
lost their all in the San Francisco fire
OF April. 1906. the government made a
special appropriation for free transporta-
ton Of the aged and infrm to their home
country. Chinese who had left the city
were gathered together from Portland,
Seattle. and other Coast cities and taken
home free Of cost
Word was recently received at the Chi
nese Legation here that the government
was ready 10 pay for the removal Of the
bodies OF the men and women who have
died In the National Capital Of this cOun-
try. Attaches here Immediately took steps
10 bring about the shipment and IL will
probably be made in the near future.
First. the bodies viii be taken up. thor
oughly fumigated, placed in alright boxes
for transportation, and started on the
trip half way around the world.
The Chinese are the most particular
people Of any race now in existence with
reference to the disposition of their bodies
after death. Few Cinnamon are ever
buried at sea. although 1t is customary
with Americans. japanese. ard all other
nationalities when death occurs far out
on the briny deep away from the land.
On the Pacific Mail steamships running
between San Francisco and China there
are deaths among the old Chinese, who
are going home TO die on almost every
voyage. But not one OF these is ever
dropped into the ocean to seek a watery
grave.
Special Baskets Provided.
The Chamber Of Commerce OF Hong
kong has a regular allowance for this
purpose, and caskets are provided, which
are carried on all Of the larger vessels
PLYING between China and the United
states. When there is a death, the body
is embalmed and taken to China and
turned over to the relatives or govern
ment officials. The japanese in the
steerage frequently pass away. but no
such disposition is made of their bodies.
Short services are held by the chaplain.
and the body is dropped overheard.
With the exception OF about a dozen, all
Of the Chinese buried in this vicinity have
been laid away in a section of the Con-
gressiOnal Cemetery. Elaborate cere-
monies viii be held here before the de-
parture Of the remains for their long
trip by land and by sea A representative
Of the government viii accompany the
strange shipment of human bodies.