The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-19
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Otto Zebroth OF Shanghai, China, is a guest
at the Occidental. In speaking OF the black
plague yesterday he said that reports pub
lished of it were undoubtedly exaggerated. In
Hong-KOng the death list had not averaged
over twenty-five day, and those afflicted were
all natives, the plague having as yet attacked
no Europeans. In Canton, where the plague
was said 10 be most serious, 1t was difficult to
form an estimate OF the extent TO which IL
prevailed, as there was no foreign population
there and the figures given were all of Chinese
origin. Mr.. Zebroth ridiculed the story sent
out that the plague had started from the Chi.
nese eating rats which had died from disease.
Rats, be says, are raised there for food pur-
poses just as chickens are in this country, and
he thinks that the origin Of the plague was due
to the floods which prevailed there some time
since and the lack OF proper sewerage sys-
TEN. He left Canton in the early part OF May
and at that time the authorities were making
preparations to quarantine Shanghai from
which place be departed on May 20. There had
been no signs of the plague up to that time.
In Hong Kong every suspicious case Is shipped
out OF the city and other precautions taken to
keep the disease within bounds.
Rev. Daniel RapeIje, a missionary who has
spent thriy-fve years in China, was one Of the
passengers on the incoming steamer yester-
day. He represents the American Reformed
church, a denomination which has no repre-.
sentation upon this coast hut which is confined
principally to New England. In speaking OF
the plague in China, Dir. Rapelje said the ma
tives seemed 10 pay but little attention TO IL,
and that there was noticeable absence of ex-
element. Smallpox. be said, was another dis
ease which apparently possessed no terrors for
them. He related an incident which came
under his observation, Illustrative OF their in
difference to the malady, in which a native
missionary announced one day in church. In
explanation Of his hardness in appearing at
services, that he had been detained while car.
ing for his child which was sick with the small
pox. q The next day, Mr.. Rapeije said, he
noticed the child in church. This Indifference
he attributed in part TO the almost continuous
prevalence Of the disease In the country, ana
also to the fact that it appears in less vlrulent
form than is usual in European countries.
Mrs j. Z. Case, a missionary who has been
working under the American Baptist Board of
Missions in Upper Burmab, India, is at the Oe-
cidental. She was stationed at the town OF
Myngyan, which has population OF about
$4,000, and is located seventy miles below
Mandalay. the capital OF Old King Theebaw,
who was dethroned by the English not long ago
and placed under surveillance. Mrs. Case has
had number OF thrilling experiences during
her residence In India, at one time for many
days during the absence Of her husband being
in extreme danger from the Dacoits band OF
native robbers. who roam about The country
armed with knives and hat chefs and bent upon
theft and murder. A loaded revolver was her
constant companion during those days and
was Kept In readiness for use at any moment.
j. l.. Drake of Kingston, N. c.. was at the
California yesterday. 1.-The old days when
the cry that cotton was king was generally ac-
cepted as trusm have passed in many por-
tions of the South" saie he. land the owners OF
land have begun TO branch out In the produe.
ton OF any crop which promises TO yield fair
return. Near the town where live one man
during the past season cultivated thirty acres
OF strawberries, from which be derived S11 ,Ooo
for the crop. He cultivated the best varieties
OF the berries, and received as high as 80 cents