Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

2 THE PEOPLE OF CHINCH ByS. T. Dalsheimer 0 THE student of ethnology as well as to rue most casual observer of na tional characteristics, that far eastern country which is our geographical as well as our political and social anti pode, has ever presented a field of the most fascinating study. This, too, even long before the Chinese question and its attendant train of political condi- tions incorporated in the “Exclusion Act” became active considerations in our national life. To the people of the South all “exclusion acts” based on a mere question of race, should be antag onistic, but to those interested in the wider dissem ination of the Christian religion and its consequent influence for spiritual development and social civ ilization, the Chinese question assumes a vital im port not to the denied. At the present time, when a body of distinguished Chiistian Missionaries are in Washington for the purpose of presenting the Chinese interests to the president, with a view to the admission of Chinese students into American institutions of learning, it is pertinent, therefore, to give seme consideration to the Chinese’as a People and to the place they have won for themselves in the civilization of the world. Dr. Young J. Aden, the distinguished mission ary who has spent fifty years of his life in the Orient, and who has made a close and exhaustive study of the Chinese, is a member of the commis sion now in Washington, and bis word mav be re lied on when he states that the greatest impress made on exclusive Chinamen is that which amanates from the American people. This fad is the more re markable when it is taken into consideration that China, as a nation, has existed since pre-historic times, but so effectually have its people been hidden in the fastnesses of their country that only the slow passage of the ages has resulted in any sort of amiable relation with other nations or other peoples. All sources of information regarding the Chi nese agTee in the fact that no distinctions can be drawn between the ancient and modern specimens of the race, and this fact, coupled with personal observations of the race, strengthens the belief that their essential characteristics, as well as their domestic life and environment remains practically unchanged from ancient to modern times. It is a curious trick of Fate that in the chances and changes of time, it has become possible to study the Native Chinaman on American Soil, for in San Francisco, or even in New York, the 'Chinaman of Dupont or of Dover streets, is in every respect the Chinaman of his native heath, for he literally carries that “native heath” with him in his travels and imports almost medieval customs into the active life of American cities. In San Francisco, however, this element existed ever since the country was settled by Americans, and even before, because its geographical position has tempted the Chinaman in search of adventure, or more frequently, those in search of increased op portunities for money making, to seek the western slope of America, and to establish himself there. He has been an important factor, too. in the devel opment and marvelous growth of California, but not because he has ever, in any way, affiliated with its commerce, its people or its customs. It is his ability to imitate and to exactly perform every act in which he has been instructed that the supreme usefulness of the Chinese laborer lies. As a truck-farmer, a domestic servant and as me chanic, this field of usefulness in the West is unlimited. In “Chinatown,” San Francisco, one is impressed with the variety of callings pursued by the native Chinaman. Not only is every pos sible branch of Chinese trade developed, but soon The Golden Age for March 29, 1906. American needs and wants are met. An instance of this is in the wonderful shops devoted to the manufacture of underwear for women and children, and the skill with which these dainty garments are fashioned by alien hands. As a shopkeeper, the manner of the Chinaman is an unconscious travesty on that of the American sahtirrn; ti e latter 'will l cccr'sionally dndeavor to be personally agreeable, but the Chinaman adopts suavity of manner as a trade asset. So far does he carry this policy that his personal inquiries as to yourself, your domestic relations, etc. etc., often border closely on the impertinent—that is, if his motive is not understood. It is done merely to show his interest in yourself and thus, he thinks, to se cure your patronage I Despite this attempt to identify himself with the trade interests of the country in which he lives, the Chinaman is here to make money; not to spend it. He will not, himself, patronize a single Ameri can enterprise, nor will he permit his family, his friends or his servants to do so, and he even at tempts to induce the families he serves to give exclusive patronage to Chinese establishments, and makes wonderfully alluring propositions toward this end. Although in San Francisco the Chinaman is om nipresent. be is above all else, and before all else a Chinaman and so rtliis reason he can be studied there almost as well as behind his own impregnable wall beyond the sea. Never a single American trait creeps into his life; his long “pig tail” hangs down his back in open defiance of the American close-cut hair; his spotless shirt, loose, long and comfortable; his heavy padded jacket (made to exclude the bitter winds of China) his small and hideous cap, all bid defiance to the fashions of the country where he makes a living. Occasionally the Chinaman brings his family to America, and at once sets up a typical Chinese home. The children, even if born here, are Chinese children; the tiny feminine feet are bound as close ly. and the small Chinese hoy is decorated as gor geously as though the little lives had begun on the banks of the China Sea. But the small morsels of humanity are delicious in their quaintness—and sometimes they are clean! Strange to say, however, that the Chinaman himself, though utterly obliv ious of all conditions of hygenie sanitation in his domestic life, is personally careful of his appear ance and scrupulous as to personal cleanliness. Regarded as a moral proposition, the Chinaman is usually honest, and though accused of “ways that are dark,” he is often less “peculiar” in this direction than his American brother. He is intem perate with opium; never with alcoholic stimulants; he is a passionate gambler, and acute though accu rate tradesman, and above all, is overpoweringly superstitious. This latter trait is the result, directly of his religious training; yet he is conscientious in the observances of his holidays and above all else, he is devoted to his family. Yet to a Chinaman the greatest disgrace is to have a family of daughters, and the advent of a daughter is often so unwelcome that infanticide is even now openly practiced in the province of Fuhkeen. “What is the good of rearing daughters?” the people say, “They are no use to you when they are little, and when they grow up and marry, they go to their husband’s people.” The father is the absolute head of the family—his word is a law from which there is no appeal, and his position commands and demands unlimited respect and reverence. Marriages are made very early, and by means of the professional match-maker, while the pros pective couple seldom see each other before the ceremony. The Chinese are frugal and industrious; their wants are few, and they live cheaply. Large as China is as a country, it cannot accommodate all (Continued on page 5.) News of the Week. It is reported that Queen Maria Christina will become a nun after her son’s marriage with Prin cess Ena of Battenberg. Advices from Ottowa last week stated that Cana da was ready for confederation with Newfound land, but not with the British West Indes. Manuel Garcia, the world’s famous tenor and teacher, celebrated his lOlst birthday on the 17th inst. Jenny Lind and Marchesi were his pupils. Professor Guillaume Stengel, the husband of Mme. Sembrich, the piima donna, is in a serious condition as a result of an automobile accident. A gigantic plot, aided and supported by the bu reaucracy, aiming at the expulsion or extermination of the Jews from Russia, has been brought to light. • -•**"-* Jews are fleeing from Odessa, Kyhineff and other parts of Bessarabia in large numbers, as they fear a new anti-Semitic riot will be started at Easter time. The world's record in blindfold typewriting con tents was broken last week by Miss Rose L. Fritz, of New York, who wrote 4,007 words correctly in sixty minutes. The northwestern and southwestern railroads are about to suffer a labor famine. Twenty-five thousand men are needed in those states to build roads al ready under way. The condition of Francis Kossuth, leader of the united opposition in the Hungarian diet, is causing anxiety. He is suffering from an attack of gout complicated by heart trouble. H. H. Hume, state horticulturist of North Caro lina, has been appointed professor in horticulture for the Agricultural College, government building, at Stanne de Bellevue, near Quebec. Reports from Taihoku (Capital of Formosa), state that the earthquake on that island, in the pre fecture of Kagi alone, 1,400 houses were destroyed, 1.014 persons killed and 695 injured. Six hundred Macedonian emigrants left Belgrade, Servia, March IS, for the United States bv wav of Flume. All of them possessed sufficient funds to permit of their entering the United States. A citizen of Atlanta, whose name is withheld, has offered to give $20,000 toward the erection of a home for the Young Women’s Christian Associa tion in this city, provided a like amount is donated by others. The death of Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney, the author, at her home in Milton, occurred March 21. Mrs. Whitney’s stories for young people and particu larly for girls, carried her name all over America. She was born in Boston in 1842. I nder provision of the Foraker act which pro poses to mark the graves of Confederate soldiers who died in Northern prisons, Colonel William El liott, of South Carolina, has been appointed as com missioner in charge of the work. The first smoking car ever reserved in Enoland for women, left a terminal station March 21, for Liverpool. The windows bore a big label “Ladies Smoking.” The innovation attests the spread of smoking among Englishwomen in recent years. Beatrice Sacchi, holder of a doctor’s degree, and a professor at Mantau, is the first woman to obtain political rights in Italy. As there are no laws pro hibiting women from voting, the authorities have admitted her claim to enter the polling booth.