Evening star., 1924-10-13
TONG WAR N|PPED
BY CAPITAL POLICE
Four Arrests Made and Fire
arms Confiscated-NeW
York Chinese in Fear.

Quenching a smoldering spark that
might have developed into a blaze of
murderous tong warfare in the shadow
of the Capitol, and which police believe
would have been a battle of national
importance to the Chinese factions in
volved, headquarters detectives yester-
day launched a thorough investigation
of conditions in Washington's pic
turesque Chinatown that already has re-
suited in the arrest of four tongmen and
the confiscation of their firearms.
With sinister cunning, the local men,
bers of the Hip Sing and On Leong
tongs, at present in open revolt in other
sections of the country, have been Sc
cretly arming themselves with revolv-
ers, in readiness for the fare-up of
hate that they believe to be inevitable,
the police. investigation Aae disclosed.
Trouble Intensiledt Here.
The factor that proved to be the
gravest agency in tanning the en-
bers of ill-feeling these tongs long have
nursed, it is understood, was the
recent national convention here of
the On Leong Tong.
Since that time there has been
nothing taking place along lower
anna AVENUE ~ lIiulCdle u
the world at large the undercurrent
of unrest that has been sweeping
the local factions. Learning yester-
day of the impending outbreak. how
ever, Inspector Clifford L. Grant, chief
OF detectives, called in two of his
men trained in the habits of the Chi
nese and charged them with the task
of getting at the seat of the trouble
and eradicating it.
Experienced Men Picked.
Ed Kelly, probably better acquaint-
ed with local Chinese personalities
and customs than any other man on
the force, and Detective Cullinane
were the men selected.
Delving into the shadows and pas
sageways Of Washington's Oriental
community for several hours, the de-
tectives obtained information that
disclosed the imminence of the war
fare. They learned that the initiative
was being taken, apparently, by the
Hip Sing faction, and this bore out
a previous contention of the oppos-
ing group that they needed police
protection.
Three of the four persons arrested
yesterday were armed with loaded
revolvers. One is Lee King, 26. Civ
ing his address as 325 Pennsylvania
avenue. With him was Lee Kee, 80
giving the same address and charges
of concealed weapons were preferred
against them.
Two others arrested registered as
Lee Lung. SO. 500 R street, and
Charlie Tom, SIS. .141 Florida avenue
The former is also known as Lee
Watt, police say. Lee Lung, it is
said. had a loaded revolver in the
watstband of his trousers and was
arrested with Charlie Tom as the two
were about to board a street car at
Seventh and S streets to go to lower
Pennsylvania avenue. Charlie Tom
was not armed.
May Block Other Arrests.
It was believed by the police tha,
word of the arrest of the two mer
at Seventh and S streets early in the
afternoon would have the effect OF
thwarting their efforts to get other
fheE later. The detectives were or
hand on lower Pennsylvania avenue
late at night, however, and suspicious
moves on the part of Lem Kee, Lee
King and a third Chinaman, who was
not captured, suggested the adyisa.
bility Of arresting them. Kelly
grabbed Lee King, while Cullir ane
grabbed Lem Kee.
It was urged by the Cinnamon un.
der arrest that they carried the pis.
tolls for the protection of their person
and property, each disclaiming al
intention of assaulting their adver.
saries.
"All Chinese in this city and those
who intend to come here may expec,
a warm reception" commented In
spector Grant. Those who come
loaded for bear may expect nothing
short of a prison sentence"
Little Information Obtained.
Charlie Tom is believed by the po-
lice to have come here from Provi-
dence, R l., while the others are be.
lieved to have resided in San Fran.
cisco some time ago. This morning
at the lineup OF prisoners at police
headquarters Inspector Grant hearc
repetitions of their statements o.
having armed themselves for protec
tion. He questioned them with a view
to learning II they had been SNUG.
gled into this country, but his ques
tioning ELECTED practically no infor.
nation Inspectors Of the Bureau Of
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