INTRICATE NETWORK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1925, Page 16

INTRICATE NETWORK

CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES.

The story of'the war between Chinese secret societies' in' American cities may seem fantastic, writes Geoffrey Lubksted in the "Daily Mail:" After police arrest of. professional gunmen hired 'by the "Tongs" -. to .'..terrorise ■ enemies, the competition between these organisations is being settled-, by a conference in New York. This" is' not such strange news,. though, to those who have had dealings witji Chinese settlers and emigrants ■ in Eastern Colonies".'"'~"-''. '•; ;

Understand 1 three -things and you Understand/ 'all. ' First, .and paradoxically,' tlie Chinese are-the most union-ridden i arid faction-split folk,in the world. Second, -wherever -his ■ ctfuntrymen are i in ] any number the Chinese finds it very dif- ] ficult: to -^esca-ge ; the. ■ influence of the] "Kongsis" .or trada societies of the ."■Tongs."' Third, the individual Chinese . abroad who makes money, and wants to keep it, has to keep away from China. The'.Kongsis, the TongSj and, above them all, the Triad link him with China.

The intricate network of Kongsis !interlaces Chinese .society,-whichl is sepa2'ated by-trades and varieties of race. There, is a." greater 'race difference and opposition felt between Chinese of different provinces than between peoples of different countries in Europe. Hylams, Cantonese, Hokkiens, Fukiens, or Manchus are a few, for instance, of the distinctly different types of Chinese who "don't mix." They all look about the same to the man at home, but are readily distinguished by features, build, and manners by tho "old hand" who has been out East for long. As the Kongsis swallow and control the labouring classes, or form rings in trades, so the Tongs" bind, or are used by, the more prosperous Chinese ■ and envelop the Kongsisi ; The Tongs are more political than provincial (in the racial sense), and more commercial in motive than political.'" Engulfing all is the mysterious Triad, the all-powerful and wealthy secret society. It intervenes and interweaves. It; pulls strings and demands services. And over' all, and always, exacts heavy monetary, tribute. The Triad almost is China to-day. "Ask a Westernised Chinese to explain or discuss the Triad, and he' will be evasive or embarrassed; but h^ Kas to acknowledge it and obey it. .:. /■: ■

The Kongsis organise the- .emigrant Chinese'hundreds to thousands. of miles from their own country. In modern European-controlled Eastern towns even the Chinese, rickshaw-pullers pay their cents for hire, as .human draught-beasts to: their Kongsiß,-and hotel-boys and servants in all. their subdivisions of duties pay^ their.wages into their different societies, to; be pooled; "Cumshaw" or tips they, may retain. The society remite to-relatives--in China, deducts for passages; outwards, or advances for journeys' "home or to employment, allots a portion to organisation funds, and holds another portion to the member's credit; from it he may-have grants for special purposes, for unemployment, or for the festivities and payments of debts of the 1 Chinese New Year. = '