The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-02-05
COPPER COUNTRY CHINESE
PLANNING FOR NEW YEARS
Release OF CeleStialS on Bail May
Help Celebration in Hough-
ton County.
LOCAL COLONY PARTLY UPSET

Next Wednesday win mark the end
OF the first year of the reign of little
Emperor Hslan Tung OF China. and
the copper country sprinkling of Ce-
lestials viii mark tlrat event with the
celebration OF the Chinese New Years.
New Years in China is a movable
feact, falling between January q and
February 10, depending on the astron-
omical signs of the lunar year. ami
/ dating from the coronation of the rul-
/ ing monarch.
Owing to the 6eath Of Kwang Hsu,
emperor. November II. 1908. and of
the Dowager Empress Tze-Hsi on
the following day the coming year
opens the second Of new era-that
Of Hsuan Tung, throne name of the
S-yoar-old Emperor Pu-Yi, now reign
ing under the regency of Prince
Chun, his fathers brother, since the
Tooth day following Tze-Hsi' demise.
Copper Country Colony.
The closing months of the year
have brought ABOUT a big upheaval
among the Celestials of the copper
country. Action taken against "A large
number of the Houghton county Chi
nese i'm an effort to prove that they
have violated the Chinese exclusion
act has stirred the colony 20 d.
depths. Those who were able -.
sent bonafide "choc tees" are ex-
hausting their resource in their eff
forts to protect those under suspicion
and prove their right to remain here.
The local colony Is larger now than it
was a year ago and has prospered.
While the nature of recent events
may overshadow ana limit the New
Years celebration, it is believed that
the release of prisoners on bail may !
be deemed proper cause for rejoicing |
The usual New Years gifts will be ex-
changed, formal calls made, bills re-
ceipted and fetes INDUCED in. The big |
celebration takes place on New Years
eve but for the ensuing IA days the
Chinese will feast and celebrate ac-
cordlng to their custom. As the sea-
son of the year is not appropriate.
fireworks will probably not play IN
important part in the celebration rs
they do in cities more favorably sit
uated. .'1 ~ NJ,
Some Of tke Features.
Americapized Chinese do not adhere
strictly to the custom of exchanging
gifts upon reciprocal basis. They
are given to children by their elders
or to servants by their superiors. The
value of the gift is not given as much
as in the Orient The
custom ofl wishing Tgoqd buck" with
coins wrapped in red paper and tied
WITH Scarlet cord is one which the
follows relig'ously.
New Years Feast
Tea and cakes are most important
part of the New Years feast in the
copper country as well as in Hong
Kong. Guide dc gall, n sort of egg"
,r sponge cake Hong joen beana," on
almond paste. and chrysanthemum
shaped cookies. called Cook far sue
are among the dainties of the season. ;
Are Very Superstitious.
The Cinnamon is very superstitious
about the first day OF the year. Inc
first word he hears is an omen to him.
Even the New Years offering of mon
~ is an omen OF Lee Chez or good !
uck. All obligations must be met on
New Years day or the Chinaman
fears that the new year will not be
4 successful one for his business.
After two woeRs of visiting, feasting
and tea drinking. will come the Feast
IF the Lanterns. whom the queer shap-
I'd lights will adorn the interior OF
no ebonS