The Washington herald., 1921-02-06
A New War Loomed.

SCI lCS Vi 4llA4 ANlo N-Aoh accompany q lDUE
war.
A New War Loomed.
few days ago in the West a new war
loomed between the Bing Kong tong and
the Hop Sing tong, the two most power
full tongs in the world. The Bng Kong
membership includes the weathiest and
most prominent merchants OF Chinatown.
and is defended by hired gunner The
Hop Sings are famed and feared as fgHt-
ers. Their battles are fought by their own
members
A short time ago two members Of the
Bing Kong organization were slain by Hop
Sing gunmen in a Los Angeles gambling
den. 1t became apparent that bitter hos
tilitics would break out immediately
Leaders of the two tongs in all cities on
the Coast ordered their men to arm. Ef-
forts to bring about peace on the par
OF white" officers failed The Bing Kongs
swore vengeance The ancient law Of
life for a life would be invoked to satisfy
their honor.
Then, for some reason unknown 10 city
officials a short truce was declared. Both
sides remained armed, however, and
Chnatowns in all cities remained dark
ened and the streets empty. Police author
tiles warned leaders that If there were
any more shootings all Chinese places
would be raided and everyone connected
This threat evidently had some effect ior
after ten days the two Bing Kongs had
not been avenged. War is apparently over
for the present. But Chinatown remains
watchful.
A History of Blood.
The history Of tongs all over the coun-
try is one Of blood. There always has
been bitterness between rival organizations
and any slight excuse has been advanced
to start open warfare. Gambling was the
genesis of the first fight between the
tongs, and gambling continues today.
Gambling, in the public mind. i as
closely associated with Chinese dcns as Is
opium smoking. By a strange freak OF
circumstances the first farming OF gam
bling privilege in New York was done
by a once holy band Of crusaders, the
Chez kung tong. slant-eyed genius Of
tate wIlled II in a CaprIcIOUS moment that
he descendants Of some outraged ConiucIsn
monks, sworn to wrcak vengeance on the
rulers of China, should come to this lar
country and sow the seeds that were 10
bear bullets in a quick harvest. The first
headquarters OF this tong still stands IN
New York. Located in an isolated street
and now almost a total ruin, New York
has known little of the history OF this
first tong in America
1t was not until few years back that
a Chinese interpreter told of the existence
of the father of tongs." Here is his story
Of the Chez Kung tong:
How Tongs Originated
More than two hundred years ago there
was a revolt against Manchu rule in the
Middle Kingdom. The local Taotai and
his soldiers were at first overwhelmed by
the rebels and things looked black for
the Manchus Then when new troops
failed to put down the rebellion a band Of
Confucian monks, took place with the i'm
perial troops and the tide turned. The up
rising was put down under their leader
ship and they went back to their monaS-
teries. Then the Manchu government
thought to reward them. Gifts OF money
and land were refused, the monks saving
they expected no reward.
With Oriental reasoning the rulers de-
duced the suspicion that since the monks
wouldn't accept riches they must have
something up their sleeves" So the i'm
perial troops were turned against the
monks and many Of them were killed,
their monaSteries were razed, and the
few who survived were hunted out OF the
country. Then gathered that remnant and
swore themselves and their children 70
the single purpose of driving the Manohus
from the throne.
The Chez Mung tong was thus born.
1t hedged itself about with q formula
of dreadful oath and a Symbolical ritual
1t spread throughout the Middle Kingdom
and South China and to this day, accord
ing to the interpreter, the Chez Mung
tong is at the bottom of every revolt
against the Peling government.
Tong Swerved From Purpose.
But when the tong came to America
and opened headquarters in New York
it swerved from lofty purpose. Policemen
assigned to Chinatown shortly reported
that they believed gambling was going on
among the "Chinks;" the captain made
sure that there was and reported TO his
chief
After a raid or two there came over
lures for protection. Somehow an agree
ment was reached. The policemen began
to buy diamonds for their wives, the cap
tain acquired a brownstone 'front.' the chief,
gilt-edged stocks in the Street-snd more
games opened in Chinatown.
OF course war factions grew. Fights
between competitors and their henChmen
became more frequent. The first tong war
grew out of these difficulties Practically