Evening star., 1911-01-28
Chinese Secret Societies to
Turn Over New Leaf
ON THEIR NEW YEAR DAY
General Extension of the Olive
Branch Expected Next Monday.
OBSERVANCE IN WASHINGTON
Feasting and Debt Paying on the
Program for Local Followers
of Confucius.

| Chinese residents of Washington have
| planned to make their New Year day
! which falls this year, according 10 the
! calendar of Confucius, Monday-a mem
orabe one to their race. 1t Is stated
| that one of the features of the day, and
perhaps the most important, so far as
the l,hjnese and the police departments
| of the country are concerned-will be the
exchange of peace overtures by all the
tonps or Chinese secret societies, Htim-
,bea. of which exist in this city as
branches of the powerful organizations
of New York and San Francisco.
The Chinese are not very communica-
tive about their plans. but appearances
in the Chinese neighborhoods of Wash
;npton indicate very clearly that some
thing is doing.
Day for Paying Debts.
Probably the most significant celebra-
ton of the New Year will be the prelimi-
nary observance the day before by the
merchant Chinese of Washington. To-
morrow will be a day of feasting and
reunions among all the resident China
men. Hundreds of visits will be eX-
changed tomorrow and Monday. The OBJ
iect of these visits is not only to observe
the pleas.mtries of the holiday, but to pay
all outstanding debts. for. according 10
the calendar of Confucius and the ac-
cepted custom Of the Chinese race, to be-
gin the new year owing any money IS 10
commit a grave sin.
1T may not be generally KNOWN said
Chinaman this morning. but SO great
is the respect of the Chinese people tor
this old precept of their great teacher
that if Chinaman happens to be with
out funds on New Year day. all he has TO
do is to get word to his relatives of his
financial straits and the amount OF money
he needs to square himself with the
world and the money is sent to him
promptly. 1t is also of interest to know
that it is always about this time OF the
year that the post offices of the country
are kept busy making out money orders
payable to the firms in all parts OF the
Chinese empire with whom the Chinese
have had dealings the past year.
Business houses and other estapIsn-
ments in Washington's CHINATOWN are al
ready decorated and emblazoned with the
bright red streamers and placards. The
long red cards bear Chinese inscriptions
not far in their meaning from the in
scriptions on the American New Year
cards.
"Open House, the Rule.
.'Open house" is the custom here as in
China on New Year day, and it makes no
or how modestly he lives, he invariably
manages to save enough money during
the months preceding the New Year to
enable him to. entertain his friends. The
Chinese have a number of holidays, but
their New Year day is the one that they
look forward to with the greatest degree
of pleasure. Into the celebration of that
day they crowd the observances of many
other holidays, and the festivities are
often kept up for several days.
1T may be of interest to know that the
favorite dish with the Chinese is roast
gherkin. or the old-fashioned young pig.
1t is regarded as the most acceptable
peace offering to the Chinese gods. Many
of the baby porkers are already awaiting
the roasting pans in Washington for the
feasting which begins tomorrow Then
there are the great assortment of dishes
like chop suey, so popular with many
Americans. and the canded fruits and
odd sugar conceptions for the desserts"
In the legation circle the Chinese will
observe the day Monday, with open
house. when tea will be served along with
many dainty confections. Beyond this
customary function, there will be no other
formal observance of the day.