THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL

ACHINESEJUNTAHERE ISHANDLINGTHE REBEL-LION IN THEFLOWERYKINGDOM

LONDON, Sept. 2.—A special dispatch from Shanghai dated Wednes-day says:

The Chinese Government troops, it is reported, have been defeatedIn two pitched battles during the last ten days by the Kwangsi rebels,losing 3090 men. The rebels are said to number 80,000 and the provin-. cial forces are against them. t

A Governor of high rank has been ordered to lead his troops Inper-son and completely suppress the rebellion withina month, under penaltyof severe punishment.

An imperial edict just issued strongly censures the Governor ofKwangsi province for deceiving the Emperor in July last by reporting\u25a0 that the rebellion had been suppressed.

• • • *LONDON, Sept. I—Hongkong dispatches state that the revolu-

tionary societies in China, which, are practically affiliated under onehead, are most active in their efforts to profit by the existing complica-tions in the Orient. Their main object is to strike a decisive blow atthe Manchurian dynasty before either Russia or England has suc-ceeded in obtaining supremacy at Peking. With this end in view,the societies have recently met in extraordinary conventions in the.principal Chinese cities, and have dispatched agents to their Euro-pean and American branches to rush the plan of action to a speedy con-

.: summation. These agents possess absolute authority to purchasearmy supplies, if necessary, •or influence foreign legislation in favor ofthe rebels. The arrival of these agents in the European capitals is be-ing eagerly awaited and already diplomatic batteries are being trained

;. in their direction. America willbe covered by the most shrewd of thesociety's representatives, and San Francisco is reported to •have beenselected as the base operations. The successful work of the Cuban

. Junta in America has greatly encouraged the leaders who represent the\u25a0 "Chinese Junta." • • •

THE secret agent of the so-called "Chinese rebels" is here In San Fran-cisco in daily and close discussion with the Chinese junta handlingthis end of tho great rebellion. Nothing will satisfy them but thecomplete overthrow of the present Manchurian dynasty. Imanaged

. to meet him through the kindly influences; of a learned old doctorwho stands high in the councils of the Ghee Kung Tong Society.

On seei.ig the report in the daily papers that the rebellion was flamingkfiore actively than ever throughout the Flowery Kingdom and that secret•emissaries had been dispatched to the strongholds of the conspiratorsthroughout the world Iwent to the old physician and asked him pointblank ifIcould meet the agent accredited to San Francisco. For decadeathis city has been the greatest stronghold in foreign lands of the conspira-tors and Iknew that the one sent here must be important and powerful.

The old doctor was silent a moment over my question, as if duly weigh-ing his words before speaking. "The agent has arrived," he said slowly,"and is at present in busy consultation with the brothers of our order at

.headquarters. Yes, you may have an Introduction, but the name of theagent must, of course, remain a secret for the present."

We proceeded to the office of the society and ...ere Imet the agent, aChinese f most striking personality, a man who wculd attract attentioneven though one were ignorant of his mission. Although this man speaksnot a ord of English he seems most remarkably well posted on the affairsof the world and particularly the political feeling <~ the great powers.Ic ion lerrned that h<> was one of that vast army of disappointed schol-

ars, who have passed the severe civil service examination of China, andwho- should according to the time-honored curtoms .nd laws of his peo-ple, have been given an official position in the Chinese Government.

But, as he said, "Our people have become degenerate. The officials'

sz- mere plutocrats. Money is the ruling power of China to-<lay. Ab youWell know

"has been written that civilservice should be the stepping stone, to all political advancement. Many of us who have spent our lives in study.. that we might be fitted for future Government positions have been most

heartlessly set aside to give place to a lot of sons "f rich men who havethe wherewithal to purchase the positions whicii rightfully belong to us.The result this pernlciou system is that the moneyed classes of China to-day cont-ol the Government from the Tsung Li Yemen down to the humb-

. lest postoffice clerk, and manipulate it to suit their own ends. Hence therevolutionary body of China, of which Iam the accredited representative

. to this country, is ripe for rebellion."Of course we have watched the result of the late trouble In Cuba, all of

The Insignia of the Ghee Knng • Tong, the Most Powerful and Largest SecretPolitical Organization In the World.

He is of the brightest and boldest of the Chinese who have visited this country in search of adviceand the sinews of war to help the rebels overturn the present Chinese dynasty. He says that before he leftthe Celestial Kingdom the leaders of the Ghee Kung Tong Society had set a day to rise against the Emperor.London dispatches of yesterday confirm this assertion and state that 80,000 rebels in several provinces are inopen arms and have succeeded in defeating the imperial soldiers sent against them. The uprising is spread-ing rapidly. For several months past it has been rumored here that this secret emissary when he arrivedwould have fullpower to purchase men-of-war from any of the South American republics. The agent andseveral members of the Junta now state that this plan ha3been changed owing to the late complicationsthat have arisen since the big European nations began to grab Chinese territory.

Sketched from life by a Call artist.

which has given us an insight as to the newly born foreign policy of the

United States in which we are so vitallyinterested. No, we do not expect

material help from the United States in or.r strugele for liberty, but weare much interested to know how our people in the Philippine Islands willthrive under republican protection.

"In fact, Imay say, this is one of the principal objects of my missionto this country.

"We have discovered that the consular reports submitted by the repre-

sentatives of the Chinese Cr'ernment in,the United States are wholly un-trustworthy. What little truth they do contain has been suppressed by

the imperial authorities. Although lam not the embassador of any estab-lished forri uf government, still Irepresent a greater number of people,possibly, than any member of the diplomatic corps at Washington. My ob-ject is to confirm the information given us by the brethren of our orderin this hemisphere.

"Iwas ordered here in a hurry and so left just before the time set for.several of the provinces to rise against the Imperial government. Cable-.grams inform me that the uprisings have taken place as planned. Eventswill move rapidly now in the rebellion. The Chinese in America have beencounted on to do giant help and that is what Iam here for. The time ofaction is come.

"We realize that we willbe obliged to fight, but we have every prospect

of success, for the Chinese people are with ua to a man. Our men are be-ing rapidly armed— for infantry service only—and we expect that our con-

flict will be short and bloody. The Manchurian hirelings will be our only

foe, for we are confident that the many powers will refuse to allow eitherEngland or Russia to assist in suppressing the contemplated uprising..

The present Chinese Government depends entirely upon this interventionfor safety. Do you think she can have it?

"Of course Iam aware that my presence in this country is known to the .agents of the Chinese Government. Iknow, too, that lam in hourly danger

of assassination. Let that be as it may. M- ca -c is a sacred one, and Iam ready and willingto brave any danger if my beloved country can be •

freed from the erasp of the low-caste Tartars who have too long misruledChina.

"We might purchase ships from certain of the South American republics

—in fact it was our original intention to do so—but we have concluded thatit were better to attack the government internally, where it cannot be

reached by Immediate assistance from any foreign power. This is our plan

of action as near as Iam at liberty to state at the present time."I should think America would be greatly interested in this movement

as it opens up one of the greatest channels of trade known to the present .century. China is probably one of the richest agricultural countries, natu-rally, that the sun ever shone upon. She is watered by a million rivers

'

and generally her soil is rich and productive. Allshe needs is modern ma- .chinery to develop these great agricultural treasures, and America is our-natural source of supply. Will America allow this opportunity for com-; :

mercio.l advancement to slip through her fingers? Ithink not."» * * » ';

Late developments have changed the political horizon of the world,namely, the success of the Cubans in their struggle just ended, all of whichhas encouraged the revolutionary spirit so long dormant in China, and the...Mongols have awakened to the fact that itis time to strike a blow that will-deliver the Government of China into the hands of its rightful rulers.

The great Chinese revolutionary society is known locally as the Ghee ..Kung Tong, and its four principal heads are situated at Canton, Manila,.Singapore and San Francisco. The only office in this city is 69 Spofford

alley. The society has a membership in this State of about 20,000 able-bodied men, all of whom have been trained to carry arms. They are pro-

tected by secret signs and passwords, pay liberally for the best legal ad-vice obtainable, and are in the main prepared to protect themselves against

the machinations of the home government. They are known to the agents-

of the Chinese Government collectively only, and never bu^ in one instance

has an individual member bwn molested by his country's officials for hisconnection with the order during his residence in this country. This oc-

curred about a year ago, when the late notorious highbinder war was in pro-gress in this city. During that period a Chinese merchant was on a visitto the Kwang Tong province and was arrested and held by the native au-

thorities there at the instigation of the imperial consul here. Itwas pre-sumed at the time that this course might have a tendency to quiet the in-cipient riots which were keeping the San Francisco Coroner most uncom-fortably busy. The complaint lodged against this individual was that hewas a member of a seditious society and could be held and punished, for

treason An amicable agreement between the different trades guilds anda promise to be good finally solved the problem and the merchant was al-lowed to return to San Francisco.

The Ghee Kung Tong is open to all persons, irrespective of race and color,who are willingto take the proper oath, after being introduced by some

member of the order, who has seen to it that the candidate has expressed

the requisite patriotic spirit. Merchants, laborers, house servants, me-chanics and even criminals, are members of this society.

Ifound one most enthusiastic member who holds a position of trust andconfidence in one of our banks, a man of education in our language as wellas his native tongue. During our conversation he expressed great confidence \u25a0

in the result of the patriotic movement which, he says, cannot help but besuccessful He said: "We are sure to win, for we have both might andright on our side. Why? In the last ten years we have undermined thevery throne itself. We have thousands of the high officials of the govern-ment on our rolls, men of education, brains and diplomatic training, menwho see corruption under their very noses dally, and are even obliged to

condone such outrages or lose both their political and physical heads. Weare not going into this thing blindfold. We have spent hundreds of years

accumulating our stock of knowledge and we have paid very dearly for thehigh-priced experience."

"But how," Iasked, "do you expect to accomplish the overthrow of thepresent Chinese Government?"

"Oh' That is somewhat of a secret," he replied. "Still, Ifeel that Ican give you a fair idea of our plans without fear of Injury to ourselves.

"In the first place, you must understand that we so-called rebels havea metaphoric

' government already established in the mother country. Itis ruled by a man whose Unerase is royal beyond the question of a doubt,

and although our principles are essentially republican, we have taken theprecaution which gives our people a confidence and incentive for good andco-operative' action. We are not poor, as we have been accumulating a

fund for many years, and Imay say to you that this fund were it sud-denly withdrawn from its places of deposit would in all probability create

a panic in the money market. However, we contemplate no such foolishmove In case of action our funds would be so carefully anJ gradually

withdrawn that no one would feel any susceptible change. Our greatest

trouble at home has been the distribution of small arms, but this is being

rapidly accomplished through our brothers In the employ of the present

government."You may be sure our party willstrike as one man when the occasion re-

quires The world will then witness a hand-to-hand conflict, the mostbloody since the hordes of Khan devastated the land of our forefathers.We ask nothing but right and justice, and we are bound to have it.'

To get the junta's idea from another standpoint Iwent back to my oldphysician.

"My son," he said, in the picturesque Oriental style of his people, "ifyou come here to trifle with the feelings of an old man who has devotedthe best years of his life to a sacred cause you may depart in peace. If,onthe other hand you are a well-wisher, let me ~!'» you welcome, and lam

quite willingto speak the honest words that come from the heart, not themouth talk of the braggart or the smooth, polished conversation of theWestern infidel.

"Iam Pagan and know nothing of your Western civilization. Iknow

the history of my country, know that we are ruled by a lot of foreign devilswho have accumulated enormous fortunes, all wrung from the honest tillerof the soil. The time has come when the great central kingdom of theearth (China"1 must be returned to the Chinese. Look you at this book."Here he produced a Chinese work on astrology. "Observe the constellationof the planets. My son, what has been written by the great masters must

come to pass. All is arranged and the Tartar must fall. We care not thathe has fattened his purse from the spoil of his misrule in the past. The past

is dead."Yes, our order is most powerful and well organized. We have our

branches established in every great city throughout the world, and once theword is given freedom for beloved China must follow. You say the great

powers may intervene? Igive careful ear to such words of wisdom, butwe have our plans well matured and are prepared to meet such exigencies.

Not all the great powers are our enemies. We have our friends and we havelearned by careful observation that the Western man loves liberty, that he

is ever ready and willingto lend a helping hand to all down-trodden -eople

who ask only for a righteous government. Your own great nation has freedthe Cubans Iam told, and has asked for nothing in return. We require

no such help. We are strong in ourselves and wish but an opportunity to

show what China can be when ruled by Chinese."We are in daily communication with the heads of departments in the

various cities where our order has its officers. We realize the many diffi-culties under which we labor, but our system is so perfect and our meansof communication so well arranged that San Francisco is in perfect touchwith Canton, Manila and Singapore.

"You must remember that an insurrection in China would mean fardifferent warfare from what you might expect of any other country. Chinais weak. Her standing army is one on paper only, which was fully verifiedduring the late war with Japan. She has been almost deprived of her navy

and now she depends entirely upon England and Russia for coast protection.

She is without railways as a means of transportation and would find ita physical impossibility to move great bodies of troops from one provinceto another. By our system of communication mentioned we would be ableto alarm every province of the empire in a space of time so short as to

arouse the admiration and astonishment of your Coasted Western civiliza-tion.

"We do not contemplate a war of extermination. It is our intentionsimply to seize the reins of government, dethrone the present ruler,Kwong Suey, who is a mere puppet, quite plastic in the hands of the shrewdold Dowager Empress, his mother, and the wilyLiHung Chang. The lastmentioned Is an acknowledged diplomat, who for years has traded on themisfortunes of his country. However humane our intentions may be, Ifearit will be a difficult task to preserve the head of this old sinner from thewrath of the people, for the present generation of Chinese attribute many

of their country's misfortunes to the wicked Li Hung Chang.

"The protection of England and Russia, upon which the government sostrongly relies, could scarcely be utilized during internal warfare, so ourbattle will be one of the people against the powers that be. We are fairlywell armed, though our men have not had the advantage of military train-ing, according to the Western idea, still they will serve better than green

hands. Ifyou have taken the trouble to observe, you may have noticedthat there are more shooting galleries here in Chinatown, in proportion tothe population, than in any other district of San Francisco. This meansthat our men are forever practicing with the rifle and pistol and the pro-prietors of these booths will tell you that they are most excellent marks-men." W. C BUNNER.

The -Secret- Emissary :of the « Chinese Rebels, Who;Has Just Arrived an- San: \Francisco :'to Consult With the Junta Here.