The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-31
Questions Constantly Arising in Con-
neCtiOn With the Wheel.
CONSULAR REPORTS ON THEM.
In Corea the Bicycle Is Coming Into
Considerable Use; i'm China Mems
Long Skirts Make the Excr.
else Prohibited.

Treasury Department "A few days ago as
TO whether bicycles were entitled to free
entry as household effects when In use
abroad not less than one year. In MS
decision Assistant Secretary Howell sald'
prior 20 q decision Of February ,, $50,
the department repeatedly held that b-
cycles were not entitled TO free entry as
prsOnal effects but in the aDoye-men-
toned decision II was held that a bicycle
in use abroad one year or more was en-
titled TO free entry under paragraph o0t
as coming within the designation OF
household effects following, by analo-
Ky. the decision I'm the case Of Arthur vs.
Morgan Q12 L. s., 46). in which the
United States Supreme Court held that
a carriage was a household article for
the reasons therein stated, which now
| ever. do not apply to cameras, guns and
similar articles.
IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
In response TO requests FOR informa-
ton regarding the use of bicycles in for
eign countries the State Department mas
Just given out three very interesting let
tors from consuls In Norway, China ana
Korea. Mr.. Ernest A.. Mar, consul at
Berger. Norway. says Bicycles are not IN
such extensive use in that district as III
other parts Of Europe their use BENG
- 80 ~ 49,
lively easy circumstances.
The roads are macadamized and would
be adapted TO bicycling were II not Tor
the large rainfall In western Norway.
which amounts 20 about 50 inches per
annum. The hilly nature OF this part
of the country IS an additional draw
back. necessitating as much walking as
riding. In spite Of these conditions.
however. the bicycle continues 10 grow
d. 80. conductive g AVanrf-
can wheels is already recognized, says
Mr.. Mar.
IN COREA.
Consul-General Horace y. Allen at
Seoul, Korea, says bicycles are used in
that country chiefly by the foreign ele-
ment. Continuing, he says:
Something over 100 wheels are IN use,
and of late the natives have begun 10
! ride 20 some extent. Two ex-cabinet OFF,
cials OF Korea now own wheels. The
streets Of Seoul are excellent; the coun-
try roads seem pretty bad at first, but
when one becomes accustomed TO riding
the narrow fo0tpaths upon the bikes, the
whole country opens up as a field for cy-
cling. There are no fences. and these
paths run everywhere. American mis-
| siOnaries nearly all use bicycles in max
ing their trips through the country.
There are no domestic manufacturers
OF bicycles. and one Of the greatest draw
backs to riding is the absence OF repair
shops, so that each rider has TO carry a
good line OF supplies. Nearly all the
wheels used I'm Korea are made in the
United states. Japan comes next as an
exporter Of wheels 10 this country.
1T seems 70 me hat ladies' wheels are
the best adapted for use by the natives
here, as the men wear long skirts, which
have 20 be tied mp around the waist
when riding the ordinary mans wheel"
%
IN CHINA
1.-THE bicycle habit is becoming almost
universal among foreigners in all ports
where cycling IS possible" says Consul
General John Goodnow. at Changhai,
China. prior TO 1897 very few bicycles
We're i'm use on this coast
Society here IS dominated by the Eng
lish, who claim that no man or woman
can hope 10 endure this climate unless
they devote considerable part OF each
and every day, rain or shine. 10 outdoor
exercise and sports. Horseback riding
has been universal among those who can
afford that luxury; others take long
walks daily The bicycle appeals TO all
rich. middle class and pOOr-and an
classes are using st. The city OF Shang-
hal is perfectly fiat, and some OF the
roads I'm and Immediately around the
settlements are good. Each nationality
has generally bought wheels made in
their own country. and at first the Eng
lish wheel. with brake, mud guard. and
heavy tubing, predominated. 1 believe
that now the more graceful and lighter
American wheels have the larger sale.
Outside OF Shanghai the cycle trade can
not grow extensively in China. There are
4 no native roads as we understand that
term. There are narrow paths for the PEE
destrian or hOrseman. but generally not
wide enough for vehicles; dusty In dry
weather, muddy IN wet. and rough all
the time. they are practically impossible
for wheeling. These roads are not main
tanned by the community. but each land.
owner cares for the road Immediately IN
front OF his land. Not being a public
spirited people. no more is done than can
be avoided: each one encrOaches on the
road In front OF him. so as 20 gain all
possible space for cultivation. only on
roads built by foreigners Immediately
around the larger settlements Is cycling
possible.
Few Chinese have rs yet taken 10 the
yheel. Their clothing IS not adapted 10
exercise, and especially not TO the wheel.
NJ man above the cOOlie class. In middle
and northern China, appears in public
otherwise than I'm long clothes-i. o.. an
outer pettlcOat reaching % his ankles.
Tho few young Cinnamon who ride here
either leave on this outer garment tenn
porarily or turn Il up and fasten II at
the waist. They also bring the long cue
Of hair over the shoulder and fasten IL at
the waistband. Their trousers are as
long and full and baggy as the average
woman's divided skirt in America, and l
nave not vet seen a Chinaman ride with
out a chain guard 10 keep the trousers
from catching and tearing. No Chinese
women ride. / nave seen Il stated In
American and English papers that II is
now common In Shanghai for Chinese Ia
dies 70 ride I'm the streets. Nothing can
be farther from the truth. The Chinese
women Of the better class are kept In
absolute secluslOn from men other than
those OF their family. This rule has not
been broken in the slightst degree.
Even in the missionary schools, where the
daughters OF merchants n mandarins
are educated,j no man Is allowed TO see
the girls.
OUR WHEELS IN GERMANY.
At the time the German tariff law, now
in operation, was enacted. the bicycle
had not become a very important factor
in the trade OF the United States and
Germany. As a result wheels" are
classified as fine iron ware" so that the
import duty on American bicycles weigh
ing from twenty-five to twenty-six
pounds amounted to only from Is cents
10 81. The import duty imposed by this
.o,+arnr1pnt on foreign made whpels Is