Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-18
AMONG THE MoNGoLIANs.
Life as n Consul in China and Japan
Progress of Chri tianity

NJ Shanghai, Will De retained. he was
first sent into the consular service by the
backing of Chief Justice Chase. After
her fathers death Mrs. Kate Chase
Sprague exerted her influence in favor Of
the worthy German gentleman. Now he
holds over under Democratic admins
tration. He is good man, and, as he
cares nothing for politics and makes an
excellent officer, it is we'll enough to let
him remain as one of the representatives
OF the Teutonic element in this country
Gen. Stahl is here on a leave of absence.
He tells me that his trip-just the neces-
sary expenses in coming from Shanghai
to Washington and returning, rot includ-
Ing hoard in the meantime-will cost him
$1,000. 'Why," said he, 81 can 90 to
Europe and live nicely on that sum of
money. The travelling rates from here to
San Francisco and across the Pacific
ocean are outrageous. A friend and nv
self paid SO day for two small rooms on
the third floor Of San Francisco hotel,
without meals. The government does not
allow us dime for expenses while travel
ing, and we draw only half-pay while on
leave. We are not allowed a cent for eX-
penses in getting to our post when we are
first appointed, but our salaries begin
from the day we qualify at the State De-
partment." The Shanghai consulate is
worth $4,000 per annum.
Said l: General, do you see any signs
of progress in Chinar
YES" said he; "they are taking hold
slowly. The late war with France has
taught them many useful lessons, and
they see the Importance Of modern i'm
prOvements. They now realize their
power, and they will want railroads to
concentrate their troops and supplies, as
well as to carry on their commerce. | am
sure they will commence laying railroad
tracks very soon. This will be a big be-
ginning-a wonderful initiative towards
our civilization. Now there is not foot
of railroad or street car line in all the EN-
pre-. They have telegraph lines, however,
and you can send a message in Chinese,
German, French or English to the chief
cities. There will be a great change in the
| civilization OF that country before many
years."
''In ten years do you expect to see the
transformation
Hardly; say twenty-five years. The
light will dawn upon them In five years,
but they will take hold cautiously and
slowly. Their customs and prejudces
are deep rooted, and it will take time to
dig them up and develop new ideas and
institutions"
lis there much trade between China and
the United StatesY'
"a good deal, and it is growing. They
buy large quantities of petroleum, and
our trade with them in cotton goods has
increased rapidly within the last few
years. and we are encroaching apace upon
the English manufacturers who have
hitherto enjoyed a monopoly. The Chi
nese now see that our fabrics are
OF better material and better made
than those of the British isles, and as
cheap"
care the missionaries making much
headway?"
There is not revival" said the Gen
eral, with a smile. ''Out of a 400, 600, 900
or 500,000,0OO population there are not
more than $50 600 Christians, including
the foreigners. 1t is slow business"
GLOW large is ShanghaiY
NAbput 100000, and it is very pleas
ant place to live in, particularly in
the portion where the foreign population
reside"
care the Celestials domestic and happy
in their homesP
"The family life beneath many of their
roof trees is beautitul-as lovely as any
thing / have ever seen. Their generation
of their parents and obedience to the head
of the household is perfect and worthy Of
emulation."
els polygamy practlsed to any great ex-
tent?'j
'eNot much. The weather. men, many
of them, have wife and concubines.
There is very little polygamy and it is dy-
ing out. The morals OF the country are
improving. There is still great deal OF
prostitution in the large and OVercrOwded
Cities"
'.The famous wall is standing yet solid
as the Rock of Ages, presume|
''Yes. There seems to be no indication
of decay. Carriages can drive alongside,
and its stone and cement seem to defy the
cycles of time"
chow about the sovereign: Is he &C
oessi0leW
1.-THE heir to the throne is not of age.
The Queen dOwager reigns In an able and
acceptable manner. ! am told that no
foreign ambassador, official or citizen has
ever seen her, nor have her own ministers
beheld heron public or state occasions,
at any rate. She holds her Cabinet inter-
views with a screen between. She may
see them privately. OF that l don't know.
But am informed that no foreigner has
ever beheld her face. Many OF the man
darins and public men Of the empire are
immensely rich and live IN royal
splendOr."
"You were Consul in Japan for time,
l believer
eyes, for several years. l went out
there first ia 1866. l served, as said be-
fore, several years and returned to this
country. When l went back ten years
afterward there was a complete metamor-
phOsis in private and public matters. The
Japanese have adopted our costumes, Gus
toms and cOnvenIences. They have every
thing we have. The change is complete.
They are a wonderful people,"
How does the country compare with
ChinaY
"It is much more picturesque. 1t is
beautiful. Its people are more progress
sive and quicker every way. 1t is almost
like being in America now"
chow do the Celestials and Japs affiliate
with foreigners 20
"Finely. You find a large number OF
foreigners in both countries with native
wives or mistresses, The richer classes
are exclusive, and it takes man Of dis
tinction TO marry among them. In japan
young girls are leased, so TO speak, to
Englishmen or wealthy foreigners who
eXpect TO remain year or more In the
country. Ii the child IL male, the event
is celebrated with great eclat. If it is
girl, no noise is made abOutit--the mother
has almost disgraeed herself. When the
liaison Is over the young woman does not
lose caste among her kith or KIN, and
having some money ahead-$20O or $500,
which is quite fortune there-she mar
ries TO an advantage, and settles down IN
an aristocratic sort OF STYLE"