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THE BRIDGEPORT EVENING FARMER Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A. 29 May 1916 (page 4)
BIG REWARD FOR JADE IMAGE BELIEVED STOLEN FROM REVOLUTIONARY LEADER.
Washington, D.C., May 29.—It is reported in Washington that a missing jade image of Kwannon, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, for the recovery of which a $10,000 reward has been advertised. Is none other than the potent and mysterious talisman that was stolen from Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the Chinese revolutionary, in August 1911, at San Francisco.
The allegiance of 1,500,000 worshippers in China is said to be linked up with the possession of the particular image of Kwannon, on account of its having no known counterpart in the world.
The story is that the fate of a revolution in China hangs, in the belief of many Orientals, upon the recovery of the image, since there is no telling to what potent use the wrongful possessor of the jade might put the allegiance of the faithful.
The $10,000 reward was advertised by Henry C. Stuart, 2619 Woodley place. In his absence today his secretary, Mr. Crowley, saying that as publicity is desired in the matter, would go little further than to confirm the fact that “S.Y. S.” are the initials of the man who lost the gem, and that the reward will be paid for its return intact, or for information leading to the recovery. But he did add:
“It commands an absolute life and death service from 1,500,000 people.”
The image is eight inches high and stands on a dragon, with a lotus flower in one hand and a string of heads in the other.
There are many who attribute to the missing gem the failure of the Sun Yat Sen revolution, after the overthrow of the emperor, to establish a permanent republic in China.
“Mr. Stuart is one of the most trusted confidants of the one from whom the idol was stolen,” declared Crowley today, “and only about two months ago sent an ambassador to this man where he was in practical exile. Immediately this ambassador cabled back that the idol must be recovered.”
The real value of the jade idol as a jewel does not exceed $500. |