Evening star., 1951-04-26
How Does Chinatown Feel About Korea?
By Herbert Gordon

By Herbert 6ofdon
CHINATOWN, in Washington, centers
~ on H street NV, between Sixth
and Seventh. Its buildings are motley
collection of time-worn modern with an
Oriental touch-curled caves, Chinese
lettering, an occasional dragon theme
design.
The thousands who daily pass through
Fl street may hear the dissonant sounds
Of ancient music, wailing in delicate
beauty and with an almost complete
lack Of Western rhythm. Should one
then close his eyes. he would feel keenly
the cultural background Of those who
live in Chinatown.
But Chinatown, Washington, Is not
ancient China pumped down in the
midst of frenetic, high-tempoed Amer
lea. 1t is merely the center of the social
and business life Of some 1000 persons
of Chinese ancestry in the District area.
The business suits and automobiles, the
slang Of the youngsters and the ball
games, attest that here is a people in
delibly stamped with the American mold.
tempered though they may be with the
condiments of q civilization fiourishing
5000 years ago.
Behind this facade of the obvious,
there is today family troubled under
current in Chinatown, WaShington-a
reflection Of a similar concern in China
town. U. S. A.
A young Characterization mother,
more sensitive and more nervous than
others Of her race, symbolized this per-
turbation recently when she told her
minister about forbidding her doll-faced
daughter Of four to play with other chill
dren.
II am afraid" she whispered.
Afraid Of what? OF what many Chi
nese- Americans fear, almost subcon-
sciously-that somehow, some way, the
entrance OF Communist China into the
Korean conflict may adversely affect
them.
Like others Of Oriental ancestry. they
remember only too well the plight of
125.OOO persons of Japanese ancestry
after an infamous December Z. A week
before. they were but another conmu-
nifty Of people in the melting pot of
America. Suddenly. they were suspect,
swept out Of their homes and locked
in concentration camps. Their crime
was their ancestry.
Thoughtful Chinese e-Americans can
not help but wonder if the larger COM
munity may some day turn upon them.
especially If a more violent war should
engulf China and the United States.
There have been reports from San
Francisco and New York Of a few Incl
dents of brutality involving Chinese
Americans. But only very few. No
such incidents have occurred locally.
In most Chinatowns there has been
p noticeable, but not marked drop in
business. That is equally true here.
But despite these faint signs of sort
OF intolerance which occasionally rises
with uncomfortable swiftness in this
country. Chinatown Washington, and
Chinatown, U. S. A.. face the future
with a basic hope that for the very
reason it happened once-to the jap
anese in America-this country will not
let either hysteria or prejudice flame
uncontrolled again.
This week, here in Washington, the
On Leong Merchants Association. the
largest tong in the Eastern United States,
has been holding the annual meeting of
its leaders. A tong is sort of club, COM
posed of business and family groups.
On Leong headquarters, at $40 H
street NV, is gay with bunting and
American flags. 1--WE have our business
conferences, and relax and have a little
fun, too," says George Moy, On Leong's
young executive secretary. "Just like
the Elks. or the Chambers of Commerce,
or the Rotarians do"
Mr.. Moy, by virtue Of his position, is
unofficial mayor" Of Washington's
Chinatown. He has very positive feel
ings about the loyalty of the average
Characterization
II say maybe SO per cent of the
Chinese here are solidly for America and
American policy in China" he says.
He does not doubt that possibly per
cent of the local Chinese populace is
favorable to the present Communist
regime in China. ''They are not Com
munists." he says. "They don't come
out and make declaration But they
feel that way.
"A columnist said while back that
there was Communist organization
among the Chinese in Washington. But
he was absolutely wrong. I know about
every meeting that is held in China
town, and I would not stand for any
thing like that
''Why should there be any sympathy
for the Communists? The people here
are second, third, fourth and even fifth
generation Americans. This is our home.
We had many men in the service in the
war. And many young Chinese are in
uniform today. They are fighting for
America"
Mayor" Moy himself, though born
in China while his parents were visiting
there, is third-generation American, a
product of a family that came to Wash
ington when dirt and cobblestone streets
were the rule. His kid brother is in the
Army.
What is the feeling of Chinese-Amer-
leans toward China?
It is perhaps the saddest dichotomy
of their lives. Most view Chang Kai-
shek as the kingpin of a corrupt and
worthless regime. And they hate the
Communists passionately.
Somewhere between these two is what
we would like to see." says Mr.. Moy.
'But If we must make choice between
only these two-I know, speak from
TT Fl