Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-09

Mode of Locating and ENtinGuishing
Eires In the CIlIes Of Chinn.

Mode or Locating nnd ENtinGuishinG I'm Z
Fires I'm the Cities of China.
II Ii Hung Chang would submit to an in
terview on the subject it would be int rest
ing to know what his feelings were as sat
upon the grand stand at Union suuaro. New
York, and watched the exhibition OF one OF
the most efficient fire departments IN the
world. The difference between the workings
OF that department and the one which he has
known In PokEg, says the New York Tribune
must have aroused forcibly his remarkable
powers OF comparison.
a slight inklng of his Impressions how.
ever may be gained by brief outline of the
workings of the fire departments to which
he is accustomed in China. These depart
ments are considered very effective even by
foreigners to that land, and il may be they
are when the construction of Chinese dwell
lings is taken into account. There is scarcely
house there over two stories high But
even for houses of that dminutiye height the
Chinese method of fighting fires must ap-
pear very crude compared to the system here
In the larger cities of China there are
stationed throughout their length and
breadth fire watchmen. Upon bamboo poles
is built sentry box with narrow balcony
circling. These sentry boxes are stationed
at regular intervals. say, the distance of
five or ten OF our city blocks apart, and in
each one a watchman is on duty day and
night. The instant signs OF a fire appear
in his district he sounds the alarm either
by voice or by a gong, and the dread cry
is hastened along to the nearest lire engine
house. In these houses, which are none
too numerous, are kept hand engines some
what like the most antique types known
here. They are dragged by running China
men, and at the alarm the engine is rushed
OFF TO the scene of the fire with really cred
liable rapidity, and the engine pipes" are
put in connection with the nearest canal.
These canals are so numerous throughout
hat fc oil
within reasonable distance of fire. II
there be not one near well or cistern
Is utilized as source OF water supply.
There is little organization in a Chinese fire
department, but the crowd that gathers
lends a willing hand, and can usually eX-
tinguish a fire in the building in which
II originated. AS the buildings are only
OF two stories, as already explained, the
difficulties presented to the Chinese firemen
are not great. Should the fire get beyond
control. however, there Is precauton which
the Chinese alone of all nations have
adopted to prevent its extensive spread.
At frequent intervals in the crowded part
OF the cities fire walls OF brick have been
built. These walls include fixed areas,
beyond which no bames can travel.
Besides these engine houses and fire walls
are maintained in the city of Canton at
least, one or two stationary engines near
central points upon the banks of canals
for use in case of fire The engines are
~ puluiuss ueslsheu lot them, much after
the manner OF reservoir pumping stations
here but, of course, of much less elaborate
design. From these engines iron pipes are
run over the roofs OF neighbOring houses
for some distance. and from frequent outlets
along the line OF pipes water can be dis
tributed in time OF fire upon the threatened
points
This comprises a brief outline OF the en-.
tire fire department which the larger cites
OF China maintain for their preservation.
When the august ambassador of the Chi
nese emperor beheld New York's splendid
machines in full operation the primitive
method of fire protection In his own country
must have seemed crude indeed