The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
SCHWERIN ALIASES
SELF TO CHINESE

Continued from Page 1, Column
yelled suggestion of retaliation in the
form of a boycott of the Hartman
steamers and concluded with state
ment substantially as follows:
You have been doing business with
orientals long enough to understand
US when we say you have lost face
with us. You made us lose face with
our people. We mean to save our face.
What are you going to do about it?''
MERCHANTS STATE GRIEVANCE
The full text of the letter to
Schwerin. dated March 4, follows:
r. P. Scherwin. vice president and general
manager. Pacific Mail S. s. Co.. San Fran
Dear Sir-we, whose signatures are sub
scribed to this petition. styling ourselves rep
resentatives OF the Chinese merchant class OF
this city and for many years clients of your
company. beg to inform you that consider
that We have grievance against your COM
pany which we respectfully ask you TO in
vestigate and favor us with a reply at your
earliest convenience. Following is our COM
plant stated as briefly as possible consider
On the 2sth day Of last month the Hon.
WI Ting Fang. China's minister to the United
States, States, arrived at this port on the S steamship al,
SIBERIA belonging TO your company The Chinese
residents OF this city had made elaborate
preparations to welcome their minister and
show their respect for the dignity due his
office. We were honored by being selected as
a committee TO meet our minister upon the ar
rival OF the steamship.
The United States authorities graciously ex-
tended to us every possible courtesy and privi-
lege. inviting US freely to board and to leave
permit. such as would be required under
ordinary circumstances. We drove TO the Mail
dock In dignihed procession OF 100 carriages
accompanied by brass band Every member
of our committee was clad in a manner that
could leave no doubt TO his mercantile or
social status and had carefully arranged
that there should be no coolie following that
might detract from the dignity of our party.
which recognized by everybody except the
ofncers of your company in charge at the
Mail dock.
ROPED OFF FROM DOCK
When our party arrived at the Mail dock
We were greatly surprised and humiliated when
Informed by Captain Anderson, your officer in
charge, that we would not be allowed even
within sight OF the ship then beside the dock.
In order to make this order effective rope
was stretched across the dock at such dis
shed that 1t was impossible for US to get even
a glimpse of the ship or its passengers, and
of course our distinguished guests could not
see us or have any idea of our presence.
Our party was obliged to remain in the
humliating position. as we have described un-
I'll the ship was docked, the gangpank low
cred and half of the passengers landed. When
the barrier was finally removed we were
obliged TO make an undignlfed dash for the
ships side, had discovered that our
minister was about to leave the vessel with
out even word of greeting from us. all OF
breach OF etiquette according TO the customs
Of our people We would further mention that
band OF musicians were the sport of lot of
dock laborers, loungers, ETC., who. seemed to
consider the whole arranged for their ediica-
ton. Such conditions did not add much to the
dignity or our attempted reception.
We assure you that we did all in our power
to prevail upon your agents to soften the
acting. We explained to Captain An
derson that the occasion extraordinary
fno fhaf nndo ffa 1frD ctor Yf<yf1f
he might stretch point and at least allow
US to move to the edge of the dock where we
requests he declared that his hands were tied;
that his orders on the subject were direct
from the office of your company. We then
which was freely given. but with no better
results. as the. office Informed us that the
rule was indexible. This rule seemed rather
absurd TO us in view Of the fact that we did
not ask permission to board the ship. but
simply to move to point where honored
guest might be aware of our presence.
We do not hesitate to state frankly to you.
Mr. Scherwin, that feel have been
grievously insulted and humiliated individually
and collectively. because of the lack Of cour-
tesy shown by your agents occasion of
great social moment to the people who have
contributed small amount toward the sup
port of the Pacific Mail steamship company
II the order came direct from you, as your
agents have intimated. then We are even more
to arrive on the date mentioned was no secret.
for the fact had been published In all the
eNsphpere some days IN advance or tile event.
The United States government had telegraphed
orders from Washington TO the federal officials
at this port TO show every consideration TO
the minister and Chinese of the proper class
who were to receive him. which the federal
officers followed out to the very letter, even
offering US the of the government tug II
we desired to board the ship in the stream.
When we consider the many years of ex-
perience you have had in dealing with oriental
peoples 1t seems absurd to imagine that you
do not appreciate the full meaning of the
Chinese expression loss OF face" and we as
sure you that according to our code we have
most decidedly lost face in this un-
fortunate affair, and we anxiously await your
reply with your ideas as to the method you
would suggest for the restoration of our face
Respectfully submitted.
Address reply to Chinese chamber of COM
merce. Canton Bank building.
Name and Address:
Chinese Consolidated (Chinese Six Companes(.
Benevolent association. BY Secretary Ng Nom.
Chinese chamber of commerce of San Fran
CISCO by Tung Mint, president; Look Tin Eli,
secretary.
Wah Lung company, By Lee Con Fon.
Tung Yfck JAM by Ng King, manager
Quong Chung Shing company, by Yee Dan
Young, manager.
Sing Chong company, Inc. by Look Tin Eli
vice president and manager
Wing Fung & Co., by Fong Doom, manager.
Pacific coast canning company, by Lew Hing,
president.
Kwong On company by Wong Kee, manager
Hop Wo Lung & Co.
Fook Woh company.
Chew Chong & Co.