New-York tribune., 1908-05-27

traCted delay reaching their destination Is not
known by the officials here All that is admitted
thus far is that the official report has been re-
cetved and is now being investigated by Commits
soner General Sargent. Mr.. Sargent accornoa-
MED by Charles L. Babcock. one of the most ex-
pert inspectors in the bureau started for New
York last night for the purpose OF running down
the story and bringing the persons responsible to
justice for smuggling and perhaps for wholesale q
homicide
The tragic story of the dozen dead Chinese was
unearthed by Fung Ming. the official interpreter Of
the immigration service at FL Paso Ming got
wind OF the affair from some friends in the Chi
quarter of FL Paso who, with the rest of the
Celestial population. discussing the incident
over their chop suey and yet quo The
news came FL Paso in the shape OF telegram
from the in New York to whom the twelve
boxes were shipped. His wire follows:
Twelve boxes has received all right, but all qUi
hin. QCONG DOC TCEN
"Qui hin" is translated into English by Fung
Ming as dead
The Chinese population of Juarez, the
Rio Grande from FL Paso. in a buzz of
Citement the affair and it soon reached the
ears of the vigilant Fung Ming Ming is a pretty
good detective. and knowing that if he unearthed
a big case he would he promoted in the service
If he lived long enough to enjoy the fruits of his
labor-at once about digging up the facts.
Bit by bit he worked the story of gamblers
over their fan from merchants at their
counters and from acquaintances in the restau-
rants and it was not many days before he had
the text of the telegram and the name of me
man to whom II was sent.
He at once reported the matter F. W Berk-
shire. of San Antonio. who is the official inspector
in charge Of the FL Paso district Berkshres
hair stood on end. but the excitement he felt did
not cause him To delay sending a full detailed
port of the evidence to Washington. Commits
sfoner General Sargent impressed with the
cirCumstantiaI account of astounding violation
Of the immigration laws. that he not only ordered
a complete Investigation made Of the matter. but
followed his instructions in person 70 the metro
polls
1t was Commissioner Sargent's intention to set
on foot as soon as he reached New York in
duiry to learn If the twelve boxes actually
delivered to Quong Dou Yuen, whether the
tents Of the boxes We're live dead Cinnamon. and
if they We're dead what was done with the bodies
Mr.. Sargent may encounter some difficulty in find
ing Quong Dou Yuen in the first place. and in
worming the truth out Of him if he does discover
his whereabouts. If he is end Of a big con-
Ceru engaged in smuggling human contraband
the border from Mexico and from El Paso TO
New York. he will probably do his best
According the information received the
bureau Of immigration. Chinaman named Nun
Ii in FL Paso is the active agent Of the organiza-
ton at that place. He has correspondents in vart-
Gus parts Of Mexico, it is said. who forward the
coolies as they be disposed of the best
advantage.
Officials of the immigration bureau who are IA
u1iliar with the Chinese character credit the Mexi-
can smuggIers with expedients fully s desperate
as this to Crcumvent the immigration laws Within
the last few months the inspectors have been IN
usually vigilant and have checkmated many daring
plots that had for their purpose the spiriting Of
Chinese across the Mexican border. The profit for
successful smuggling OF this is large, and as
most of their recent schemes have failed gang
in Mexico is believed 10 have been driven to the
most ingenious and risky schemes to make its
business lucrative once more
Harry r 5isson. inspector in charge OF the |
Chinese department Of the bureau of immigration
said last night at his home, No. so Washington |
avenue, Brooklyn, that some two or three weeks |
ago a ruuOr spread in FL Paso Tex that |
twelve Cinnamon had been sufocated while on |
their way 10 this city in boxes consigned to local
Chinaman
When the report reached NE officially he |
added, Il began investigation but all efforts TO
find any cl@w were in vain" Mr. Sisson said that |
F " Berkshire. supervising inspector IF irnmigra-
ton of the district Of Texas met with a similar |
fate in trying TO learn the facts in the case
After failing TO find anything myself" Mr.. Sis !
son continued. Il communicated with the various |
express companies asking If there had been any |
shipment of unusual nature 10 any one in |
Chinatown. where the boxes rumored 10 have |
been sent The express companies had record |
II the shipment of twelve cases large enough to |
contain twelve men. They may have been shipped |
by freight. and be still the road. but cannot |
conceive how they have escaped discovery thus far
Despite the fact that the FL Paso officials be
ieve the story to be true" said Mr.. Sisson II am |
Inclined 10 believe that the entire affair is hoax