The San Francisco call., 1896-05-08

cerning America Is only equaled by the ignorance
of the average American regarding China. Here
water. AS for the Chinese women whom we fnd
In this country, they are generally yspesking m en-
! tai blanks
! But in history we and neted several illustrfous
| Chinese women of letters.
The first book ever written on the higher educn-
ton Of woman was by Pan Cow, Chinese woman
who also completed the annals OF the empire
which had been commenced by her brother. The
Empress Ann, In recent times, Is a luminous ex-
ample OF the hish- minded Chinese woman. Coun
related that the Emperor once made nine prostra-
tions before her, which Is considered the highest
honor which can be given TO q human being.
An impression prevails that female infants born
In China have their necks wrung as soon as they
come into the world. This Is great error. There
is in the south of China very poor district in
which the killing OF children is said to be more or
less frequent. Yet doubt whether there Is not
more nfanicide in China than in this country.
The mothers choose the wives for their sons and
tasteful daughters-in-law. The Chinaman has no
right 10 take his wife away from the home Of his
mother.
In China they have a society called the "society
on Heavenly Feet" and they have often asked the
missionaries why the English do not have $50
ciety OF Heavenly Waists"
The women of Japan and China have their liter
/ shall close with the message to-day OF the
Bosom Sorosis to the women OF Japan and China: /:
Tell them the world was made Tor women, too. "
AS the world opens up for am glad 20 say 1t is
broadening up for them, TOO.
"The Chinese woman" said Miss Yates,
IN answer to question by Miss Sever
ance, like the American woman, has no
legal claim upon the community prop
erty. Like her sister here she gives her
all to her husband, and in return he
dresses her, clothes her and physics her as
he thinks fit"
''1n what capacity did you visit China
and Japan2 asked a woman in the audi
ence.
81 was twice in Japan and China as a
tourist, and lived five years in China as
missionary" answered Miss Yates, simply,
amid much applause.
In answer to another question, Miss
Yates said:
Among the peasant class in Japan the
woman works side by side with her hus-
band and eats at the same table with him
on basis of equality, but as the social
scale is assembled, the man becomes
figure of greater relative Importance than
the woman"
The discussion then became general,
and much interest was shown in the sub
ject.
Miss Sarah D. Hamlin of this City, and
for several years resident in India and a
student of the social conditions of that
most conservative Oriental country, spoke
OF Women in India" She said in part:
India, like other Oriental countries is sadly lack
Ing IN historic records. In their place is a con-
ligious laws, which must be read between the
lines for the story Of historic development To
the outside world India was known in vague,
half-fabulous manner In the time Of Homer, but IL
was Alexander the Great who introduced India to
the western world through his invasion in 327
d. Z. The accounts OF that date agree remarkably
with the conditions of life in India at the present
time, in spite OF foreign coDquests the infusion of
alien blood and the wearing effects Of twenty-five
centuries. Rome and her provinces were familiar
with the brocades, fine muslins silks gems spices
and many more OF the natural productions and