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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. 2 June 1916 (pages 1, 8)
OFFER $10,000 FOR RETURN OF STOLEN CHINESE GOD.
Gas Forced Through Air to Suffocate Owner of Jade Containing Cryptic Symbol of Authority, It Is Said.
Special to the Inquirer. Inquirer Bureau, Post Building.
Washington, D.C., June 1.—One of the most remarkable tales of Oriental mystery and intrigue ever brought to light was divulged here today through the medium of the following advertisement appearing in the “Lost and Found” column of The Inquirer of this morning:
Upon enquiry at the address mentioned in the advertisement, The Inquirer correspondent learned that Mr. Stuart, who inserted the advertisement, was out of town. Mr. A. Crowley, his representative, however, authorized the following statement, which explains the heavy valuation of $10,000 set upon a piece of jade the intrinsic value of which would not exceed $500. Mr. Crowley said:
“The Jade Kwannon for which we advertised is of no great intrinsic value. Probably $500 would cover it. But this is no ordinary image. The base is hollow and contains what is without exaggerating the most valuable thing in the world. Those in the secret have been in the habit of speaking of it by a very peculiar title. It is known as the ‘Horns of a Hare,’ and is an image of the Chinese God of Love and Pity. Even now, when we deem it expedient to disclose partially the truth, and we must give no indication of the nature of this object.
“Our object in advertising has been this: The lapse of time since August 29, 1914, when the jade was stolen may have made those who know where it is a little careless, and possibly they may be accessible to the offer now made. We may say, however, that the object of the symbol cut in the jade is the symbol of supreme power in the greatest of all the secret societies of China.
“It was in the possession of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, and it was naturally the object of the Chinese reactionaries to steal it. This object they achieved on the 29th of August, 1914. Dr. Sen was then in hiding in Japan, and it was known to but extremely few persons where he was to be found. A way to get at him, however, was discovered. There is a certain method of passing gas through air without admixture which if familiar to most students of science, but which we think it inexpedient to disclose. It is only applicable to short distances and requires a very calm day. These necessary conditions being secured, the doctor was temporarily suffocated by the gas projected from a spot adjoining his garden, which was then invaded and the jade image stolen from him.
“Since this loss Dr. Sen has been unable to exercise his former power. This is the true explanation of his failure to make any definite steps of late. It has now become of most urgent importance to recover the ‘Horns of a Hare,’ and no stone will be left unturned to do so.”
Hope to Recover Gem
That the recovery of the jade containing the cryptic symbol of authority would be of inestimable value to Dr. Sen is insinuated by the amount of $10,000 offered as a reward for information leading to its recovery. Although Mr. Crowley could make no definite statement as to whether he knew of the whereabouts of the gem, he intimated that the advertisement would eventually be brought to the attention of the persons possessing it and that he was optimistic that they would negotiate for the reward offered by Mr. Stuart, whose intention is to return it to Dr. Sen.
According to Mr. Crowley’s statement, it is evident that Dr. Sen believes that if he were again vested with the power which attends the possession of the symbol, he would be able to re-establish himself as the ruler of China.
According to the most recent reports in China, Dr. Sen is now in Shanghai, and it is believed that he is organizing a revolutionary movement with the object of reinstating himself. |