Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1902 — THE PLAQUE IN SAN FRANCISCO. [ARTICLE]

THE PLAQUE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

It Can Never Be Obliterated Until Chinatown Is Burned Down. San Francisco is not a little disturbed over the prevalence of the bubonic plague. The local authorities, nnd even those of the State, have done their utmost to belittle and disguise the seriousness of the situation, but that the plague exists to a disquieting nnd constantly increasing extent, a correspondent says, is known to everyone. The plague flourishes principally among the Chinese, but is by no means confined to the oriental quarter of the city. Within the past two nnd a half years there have been hundreds of cases, and no less than 65 fatal cases among the whites. During the past ten months there have been 57 c'ases, of which 28 have proved fata). During August there were nine cases, in September eleven and in October seven. Dr. J. M. Williamson, president of the local Board of Health, furnishes thesa figures. The doctor says: "Chinatown is a constant menace to the city. While the Chinese are permitted to inhabit their present quarters San Francisco harbors a constant peril. Chinatown as it is at present cannot be rendered sanitary except by total obliteration. It should be depopulated, its buildings leveled by fire and its tunnels and cellars laid bare. “Its occupants should be colonized on some distant portion of the peninsula, where every building should be constructed under strict municipal regulation. In this way, nnd no other, will there be safety from the invasion nnd propagation of oriental disease. "The day has passed when n progressive city like San Francisco should feel compelled to tolerate in its midst a foreign community, perpetuated In filth, for the curiosity of tourists, the cupidity of lawyers and the adoration of artists.”