New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-29
CHINESE TONGMEN SIGN
PEACE FOREVER" TREATY
Judue Foster PreSideS Over
Solemn Gathering of Warning
Society Representatives.
ALL AMERICA IS INCLUDED
Consul LANG Luen Fong Takes
Part and Extreme Dignity
Prevails Even if Mayo"
Tom Lee Is Absent.

Eighteen representative members of
the societies now in power in China
town gathered in a sombre circle in
Judge Warren W. Fosters chambers
in the Criminal Courts Building yester-
day and promised 10 abide by the terms
Of a treaty Of peace which their Off
GERS signed. The treaty was drawn
up and signed at the instance of the
Chinese Consul. who enlisted the help
of Judge Foster and District Attorney
Whitman. a dinner to celebrate the
signing of the treaty is planned for
June l..
Not one Of the array Of tong men
wore Chinese costume. One gray
haired man wore a blouse Of dark cloth,
but the others were dressed as Ameri-
cans. Only two or three signed their
names in Chinese. They stood in a
circle. their hands behind their backs
and their eyes on the floor, while Guy
Main stood in the centre and read the
document in Chinese and in English.
The signers were members Of the Hip
Sing Tong, the On Leong Tong and the
Kun Ian Gong Shor, which Jim Gum
SAYS is a branch Of the Chinese Ma
sonic order. Fong Foo Lang, Linn Yam
and Chin Wing Hing signed for the
Hip Sings and WI Lee kwong and Lee
Jing for the on Leongs. The red
sealed document also was signed by
Judge Foster and LANG Luen Fong,
the Chinese Consul.
Willy old Tom Lee, Mayor" Of China
town and reputed 10 he the power be-
hind the throne in the on Leong Tong.
was not present. Jim Gum. secretary
OF the organization and Tom Lees
right hand man. was there. After the
ceremony Of signing James E. O'Brien,
court attendant, marshalled the as
sembly for a photograph
Judge Foster briefly explained TO the
Chinese the purpose which brought
them together.
1t is very important" he said, that
you let the American people know that
you have resolved 10 keep the peace.
Six years ago you entered into a pact
before me which was honorably kept,
] believe, by the men who signed il.
But new men came into authority who
did not realize that the treaty should
last as long AS the tongs endured. This
agreement is entered into at the in
stance of the representative of your
government. and it is our hope that you
will maintain it.
This is the fourth agreement the
tongs have entered into in the last six
years.
Several causes contribute 10 the pres
cnt readiness TO sign a treaty. AS the
result Of recent prosecutions 10y
Charles c. Mott, jr.. and lsidor Was
servogel Assistant District Attorneys,
three Chinese are in the death houss
at Sing Sing. Four more are under in
dictment for homicide.
The police, under Captain Tierney, VI
the Elizabeth street station, have
driven most of the gamblers, who used
TO Contribute TO the tOngs as much as
SD q week for each table, to New Jer-
sey towns. Police raids have depleted
the ar6enals. Federal raids for opium
also have netted many revolvers.
The pew treaty opens all Of China
town ~ every member of every society
The Chinese Merchants Association is
TO act Us arbiter Of differences. There
is TO be no interference with matters
in the courts Peace is TO be KEPT
forever Tong members in Other
cities are asked TO abide by this agree.
mont