The Portland daily press., 1895-03-23

Chinese aversion to hot bath is proyerhial
in the East.
The prison quarters consist of several
we'll lighted and we'll ventila,e ed buildings,
the pris oners occupying the largest, which
contains one large room, divided into eight
sections but unpartitioned. Each section is
provided with one charcoal stove, and the
floors are nicely carpeted with clean straw
mating. making it warm and comfortable.
One sect tion 36 feet long by Is feet wide and
IL feet high. contained twenty prisoners.
which, according to the latest hygienic
rules is more than sufficient breathing
space. OF course, there are no beds. the
lien sleering on the floor, wrapped up in
heavy quilts furnished them.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF IDOLS.
At the forward end of the room, in niche
in the wall, were three small photographs
of favorite Chinese idol, and In front were
two cheap vases containing sticks OF in
cense burning. This was the temple of
these poor people, and here twice day
they assembled to pfostrate themselves be-
fore the shrine and pray to their Buda god.
Cbow-Hung-Lee informs me that their
first prayer every morning is for the Japa-
nese Emperor. Mr.. LOOMS, an American
missionary. as representative of the
United Eible Societies, has presented each
prisoner with Bible printed in Chinese,
which | am glad to say is read by ffty-one
out of the 179 that are able to reau. 1 am
informed that this society is also providing
every soldier in Japan with Bible. 5000
having already been delivered.
In the kitchen l found everything neat
.1a,, rlha oooEiuo sr dopo hy Hl,iuesu
on the native ''shebatchee" or stove. one
of the mementoes of old Japan, that could
we'll pe abolished in favor of the modern
stove. but which. l find. is in universal use
all over the empire. 1t is a kettle-shaped
affair, made in vne piece. with the cooking
basin extending about half way through.
Below and on the side is a small door where
in the fuel is placed. A lraught is obtain ed
by constantly tanning al the opening, and
the smoke escapes anywhere the best way
it can, making it necessary to have an OPEN
ing in the roof to let it out TO the building.
'si KITCHEN WORK.
All the kitchen work is done by Chinese,
under the superintendence OF Japanese
off icer. but it is slight compared with the
work in European kitchens. The rice, like
wise the potatoes and Vegetables, have to
be boiled /, the minced pork stewed,' ana the
cooking is through. L.
The Chinese prison has the same allow
ance of money to purchase food as the Jap
anese soldier, but as. with the expoeption
of rice, their tastes differ. they provid-
ed with a different bill Cf fare.
At 7.30 a. m., the morning meal is served,
which consists of vegetable soup and rice,
NJ hI.a etay utai pif,O
potatoes, carrots. Japanese turnips. and
minced pork. At s. p. m. the evening meal
consists of rice, boiled fish, and boiled veg
eta bles.
Ricesis the principal food with both Chi
nese and Japanese. When the Chinese first
arrived they were provided will the same
quantity OF rice as the Japanese soldiers
but of superior quality. But as soon as
they were informed that they could have
such food as their allowance of money
would purchase they requested that great
er quantity of second grade rice be fur
nished them. Their requests were complied
with and they were perfectly contented,
receiving six pounds of rice day. served
each meal in little wooden boxes, holding
forty-two cubic inches.
My Chinese informant tells me that at
home the most of his men were satisfied
with day ration Of couple of bowls OF
rice. with scraps of vegetables or pieces
of fish added. and are now receiving better
food in prison than they ever received out
side.
HOSPITAL.
I next viewed the hospital, which l
found i'll charge of an expert surgeon. who
inf ,ad mo that ba f,t had NO
cases of Importance. the health of the men
being excellent. Three weeks before he and
his assistants had finished quite an unde-
taking in vaccinating every prisoner.
The bath-house near by is roomy build
ing. containing number of large wooden
bath tubs, all kept scrupulously clean, eve
ry prisoner being OBJ liged to bathe twice a
week.
Chinese New Years Day a spe oial ration
of chicken, rice, vegetables, and fish was is
sued to each man and all We're allowed the
freedom of the temple court, also to pray
at the ia panese shrine. which they all did
praying first for the Japanese Emperor and
then the Empress. During the day they
presented New Years cards to their favor
ite japanese officers, and large banner
with the following inscr iption, written in
Chinese, to the commandant: when we
were hungry you gave us food; when were
thirsty you gave drink. You are all
Kindness o us, and we care not to return
to China
Aa the prisoners have no occupation DUR
ing the day they are at present being exam
in ed and drilled into classes for The pur-
pose of setting them to work manufactur-
ing such articles as they seem best apted
to make, the profit to go to themselves.
which will give them money to purchase
papers, send letters, and Keep them pro-
vided with tobacco. which they seen to
miss more than their freedom.
And as take last look at their child
like features I have doubt if one could
find in the whole Chinese army as happy
and contented lot If men as these cap
tives of war.