The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-06-16

secure the dismissal of Sir Robert
Hart, the trusty autocrat of the
Chinese customs. They suddenly
desisted and Sir Robert is installed as
firmly as ever. Russia has condes-
cended to come to an understanding
with Japan.
l wish that l could impress your
readers with the real Importance of
the awakening of the great republic.
Our trade with China and Japan is
growing fast. notwithstanding the
fact that the American merchant
labored under the disadvantage of
being looked down upon by the ORR
entail, who only bows before superior
strength. The attitude of the Unitod
States has, even now, exerted fav-
orable influence upon trade.
1t is almost incredible to state the
growth in demand of American pro-
ductions. To mention one instance:
The Baldwin Locomotive Works have
sold several hundred engines to the
Japanese. The Schenectady Locomo-
tive Works recently sent out Mr.. E.
w Griffith, who secured orders for
IS locomotives. l have been watch
ing to see if the enterprising Rich
mond Locomotive Works could not
get finger in the pie. There is a
demand, steady and growing de-
mand, for our manufactures both in
China and Japan, and nothing but
the present decided assertion of our
policy was needed to give grand
impetus to our trade. The greatly
enhanced respect for "Old Glory
will be no slight factor in promoting
the safety of commercial enter
prises.
The American community of
Shanghai is boiling over with patriot
ism. The Model Settlement, as it is
appropriately called, boasts a num-
Der of well-known and flourishing
American business houses. Promi-
nent among them is the China and
Japan Trading Company, New
York concern, having branches in
nearly all the open ports of China
and Japan and doing considerable
business as far north as Vladivostock.
Its Shanghai manager, Mr.. Eastlack,
a Pennsylvania, is now in the
United States. The American Trad
ing Company, also of New York, is
another big concern with a large busi-
ness in China, Japan and Korea. 1t
built the first railroad in the Hermit
Kingdom, between Chemulpo and the
capital, Seoul. There are other
large American houses, and now that
the Chinese government has opened
Wee Sung, at the entrance of the
river. Shanghai bids fair to expand
into the largest city of China.
There are plenty of inducements
for American push and energy mere.
1t cannot be said that the mandarins
are waking up, but they are shaken
and worried until they have reached
stolid state of despair. Russia,
France, England and even little Bel
gium are bowling for railroad con-
cessions. The old Confucian schol-
ars have reached stage of confus-
ion; they do not want railroads; they
would greatly prefer to do without
them; all modern Improvements are
looked upon with antipathy and dis
gust, for there is a dim perception
that they mark the beginning Of the
end. All they sigh for is to be left
alone, and that wish will not be
granted.
The Chinese merchant is passive;
the coolie and laboring class are not
SO placid. Superstition prevails
among them, and they are easily in
fluenced against anything represented
as likely to interfere with their paltry
daily rations. But John is no block
head, and will soon learn to see that
steam and electricity mean material
progress. II. STEIN