KILLING EACH OTHER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 October 1924, Page 5

KILLING EACH OTHER.

CHINESE IN AMERICA. SINISTER OUTBREAK. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT NEW YORK, Oct. 12. China’s internecine war is reverberating in a sinister manner in the United States, where the police are exerting unusual efforts to pacify a Chinese fraternal business organisation, a Onleong tong, which after 11 years’ peace has renewed, bitter warfare throughout the country against its ancient rival the Hipsmg tong. This has already resulted within two days in a dozen, casualties. The police, on learning of the assassination of one Onleong and the wounding of two others here, promptly invaded Chinatown, declaring martial law to prevent the extension of fighting. Meanwhile successive raids led to the discovery of the apartment which served as the Tong armoury and rendezvous. The police arrested three men, whom they charged with murder. The authorities were simultaneously informed of similar casualties in Pittsburg, Chicago, Jersey City, San Francisco and Central New-York. The evidence pieced together shows that the factional war was the result of the Onleong’s recent ousting of a group, of members because of the theft of 40,000 dollars from the treasury. The expelled members swore they would not join the rival Hipsings, hut information shows that they violated their oaths and revealed secrets to the Hipsings. This caused their former associates to declare war to cleanse the stain of treachery. In the meantime. New York’s Chinatown resembles a beleaguered village. Residents are halted, searched and questioned, while those venturing forth peer to the right and left and clasp their hands behind their backs to signify that their mission is not a murderous one. The police in San Francisco are taking the strictest precautions. They report only minor skirmishes in Chinatown.