The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-28
CHINESE AND EUROPEANS.

Vhe Islands OF the Indian ArohtpeIRuo,
IrdEsloted from the German ofMr r. Ta0or's "Reise
One OF the most interesting phenomena in
modern times is the emigration of the Chinese
IN mass. The proletarians of the Celestial En-
pre- overflow not only the countries in the
immediate neighborhood of their own, but
already form considerable portion of the
population of the American shores, in the ports
Oh M Brazil as well as among the gold diggers Of
Already appfehensons have been expressed
lest this rapid spread of the Chinese over the
Indian and Pacific Oceans might injure the other
Wlee prosperous development OF European
civilization in those lattudes. The fact that
the Chinese never renounce their pecularlties of
character and mode OF living, their absolute
refusal to assimilate with other elements, and
their constantly bringing home whatever they
earn abroad by means of their greedy industry,
cause many people to fear that the Chinese
element will have preiudiciai influence on the
development of civilization in Asia and America.
These apprehensions, however, seem to be un-
founded.
1t is certain that the Chinese in those coun.
tries where they exercise their industry in oon-
tact with Europeans, create a dangerous
competition to the latter, and that, while on the
one side, IN regard 10 climatic conditions they
find themselves better situated than their com
petitors, on the other side they combine pene-
tratiRg intellect with an unwearied industry
and the greatest thriftness.
European business men have good reasons to
how to forget and how to learn, and their short
acquaintance with Europeans has already accele-
rated their onward march at the rate of several
centuries. The time may be foreseen when in
the East Chinese emigrants will contend with
the Europeans, and tight them with their own
weapons-money and ideas--ior the possession
of the beld ID which the Europeans have hitherto
exercised their activity without rivals.
In this connection 1t must not be overlooked
that naturally, at first, only that portion of the
population leaves its native country which is
m q if1tfn 90 fN, ;,Ao Il
lectual aud material qualifications while the
richer and more intelligent participate in that
movement only when they perceive that 1t is
worth while TO give up the present comforts of
life for greater advantages
This will be the natural course, also, in regard
to the emigration of the Chinese, and the situa-
tion OF the Europeans will then become seriously
! affected by it. But there will be no real danger
to civilization in this only the Europeans will
have to redouble their efforts in order to main
tain their supremacy
When we direct our attention to the scene
where this "battle of life" between the Chinese
and Europeons, is already going on we find in
the trs. line the fourlshing seaport and COM
mercial centre OF the Eastern commerce, Singa-
pore, where the Chinese element in some parts
of the city is so prominent that You believe
yourself to be in China itself.
ALI the trades partic ularly those which
require skill and perseverance, are almost
exclusively exercised by the Chinese. They are
perhaps, the most industrious people on the
face of the earth; 1om early morning till late
at night they are at work, and, with the excep-
tion of the new year festival, have no holidays
Besides their great industry, they are distin-
guished for their extreme thrift and soberness.
Their tools, their dress, and their food are OF
the simplest kind; they are very moderate in all
their enjoyments. Their tobacco pipe is not
larger than thimble; when they smoke cigar
they usually take few whifs, and keep the
balance for another time. Their drink is very
diluted tea of the cheapest sort, of which they
take small cup without sugar or milk.
The richest Chinese are scarcely better dressed
than the poorest ones-short large breeches,
cotton jacket, shoes without stockings, are,
together with tail and fan, their whole habili-
meni A great amount of commerce and navi-
cation is already in their hands, only in the
drec trade with Europe and America do they
not yet participate.
report of the British Consul at Canton, for
the year 1864, shows that not only the coasting
andimport trade are IN the hands of the Chi
nest, but that, further, the export trade is more
and more taken possession of by them. Chi
nese firms have already sent considerable guam
titles OF tea directly to the English market. And
all the products OF the Indian Archipelago
witch are shipped to Europe pass through the
hands OF the Chinese into those of the eXporters
ard in the same manner most of the European
merchandise goes through their hands before
they reach the natives. before any snip coming
from one of the Eastern ports casts anchor, a
Chinese goes on board, who, after making the
ACQUAINTANCE of the shpowner, does not lose
sght of him during his whole stay IN the har-
bor lends him money, espes and profits by all
his foibles, and finally becomes the owner OF his
ergo.
All the lies are carried on by them in open
slops or in the street itself. What to Euro
nan is the most striking, is the small space
which is occupied bys Chinese and the
SIMPLE tools which he uses. Everywhere you
are surprised by the incredible economy of
time space. aud material, such as is only pos
sble in an overhowing population like that OF
China.
Within small shop there are frequently two
dfferenU handicratts going on; on the one side
tere will be aytailor with dozen OF journey
nen; on the other side a shoemaker with as
many more, none of them occupying more than
he narrow stool upon which he sits.
The Chinese emigrants come thus far almost
txclusiVely from the two southern provinces
If China which are bounded by the seacoast,
md for the great part are composed OF the
most Wretched proletarians. The authorities OF
Ehese provinces are said TO avail themselves OF
The emigration 10 get rid OF their cripples and
During the Northeastern trade winds the ships
set sail and arrive in Singapore, but not earlier
than The new year On his arrival the lmmt
grant is almost always indebted tor his passage
and hires himself out to another Chinese coun
tryman already settled there for his food, and {
small remuneration in money.
The latter pays for him his passage money
the amount of which rises ana fails according t
the demand for labor. such an immigrant !
called Sinkay; the tree laborer, Coolle. Al
those who arrive AZ Singapore do not remall
there and several thousands land there ever
wear on their passage TO other countries OF IN
Archipelago. Most OF them come with the III
fention to return home again as soon as the
have saved a small sum of money, But IL seem
that only small nunDer among theh "A0 sU'
cessfnl in this object. E
Many of them, who gTatlty tnelr passion lO
onium and gambling, are forever ruined.
certain number settle perma anenuy In To