The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26

m n clients under various appela-
III ~ tions, both Ptolemy and Pity
N referring to II as the region
or the Sores while IN the mid
die ages II was called Cathay,
and was not only visited by missionaries
and ENJOYS. but sent out various travel
ers. who returned to their country with
tales OF the wonders OF India, Central
Asia and even OF the more western coun-
tries In the thirteenth and fourteenth CEN
turtles very complete accounts were
brought to Europe OF this great and civiiz-
ed country, and many Of the characteris-
tics of the Chinese. stiil In vogue, are
noticed. such as the habit OF letting the
finger nails grow. OF COMPRISING the wo-
mems feet, and other peculiar customs.
The famous traveller. Marco Polo. visited
Cathay In 1895 and became n great favor
lite with the emperor. In the fourteenth
century, too trade was begun by Euro
peans, and a certain traffic with India
had long existed. Christianity was in
troduced during the FIRST century, II we
are to believe the famous HISTORIAN tab
let's bearing the date OF ISL A. D., which
was discovered In 1925 al Sianfu. BE this
as II may, In the thirteenth century a
Franciscan monk was created archbishop
OF Picking, and Il In certain that the Ro-
man Catholic religion had spread con-
siderabiy. and that In the seventeenth
and very powerful at the Chinese court
The conquest OF China by the Manchus
IN 1874, however worked great change
in the spirit Of the Chinese empire. The
Msnchus were In tho position OF very
small body who by sheer force retained
their domination over vast population
Their policy toward foreigners was die
tated by fear that they might stir up
the Chinese and they sought to retain
la.x ~ cir all ,setS To.
foreigners and keeping the empire her
neticaIly' sealed against change, develop
ment or innovation. The Tartar emper-
ors began the persecution of Christianity
and discouraged all attempts OF friendly
relations with foreign powers great
race. however. itself largely imbued with
tho Tartar element. WAS gathering
strength on the very borders OF the
Manchu-Chinese empire.
Russia Cams = Foofboid IN Petfne.
Russians had already visited Picking he
fore the Manchu conquest In the lat
ter half OF the seventeenth century at
tempts were made TO trade along the
Amur. and ms the emperor would not
countenance these five years war re-
suited, In which Russia certainly got the
worst of II. But the persistence. OF the
RISING Siav was too much for the Man
chu. and Peter the Great. In i7i5, took
advantage OF the circumstance that many
Russian prisoners had been permitted
10 settle IN Picking TO send an emissary
and arrange certain questions OF trade.
A Russian church and school was erected,
and permission obtained for a caravan
10 visit Picking every three years. Thus
did Russia get her first foothold In the
city which was TO feel her influence 80
strongly.
Tho seventeenth century saw the adj
vent Of Holland In the East where they
occupied various islands but were unable
TO establish themselves as traders on
the mainland. Portugal had already arr
rived ON the scene, and counted Macao
among her dependencies, as well as For
mosa. The Dutch and Spaniaris latter
the temporary union OF spain and portu-
which fell 10 Holland. but was eventual
~ retaken by a Chinese pirate
During the same century the British
East India Company established a fac
tory IN Japan aud opened agencies In
Annoy and FprmoHa An attempt TO
trade with Canton was at hrst frustrat-
ed by the Portuguese who held Macao.
but Was finally established, through the
treaty of oliver Cromwell with Portugal,
and vas carried on despite the anti for
elgn disposition Of tho Manohus.
Trade Fiourishcs IN Sntfe Of Bribery.
Unfortunately for the reputation OF
Great Britain, the merchants % the East
India Company dld not ecruple 10 ahasn
themselves ana their country Ia order
20 be allowed 60 trade with Chinese ports