The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-07
/ The Globes S Ssns.Jndy
Jhe Jform Center Of The 6)orld
By R. WARREN CoNANT.

dustry. They exhibit in actual operation
certain economical conditions which with
us are so far happily theoretical. There,
for instance, we see population, con-
stantly crowding up to the limit of sub
sistence and a strong argument for the
Malthusian doctrine of the beneficence OF
wars and pestilence. There, too, Is Illus
tiated the extreme socialistic doc
trine of employment for the
greatest number. without regard to
efficiency or progress. One reason
why the Chinese are so stubborn
~ opposed to any Improvement in me-
chanical processes is that it involves the
throwing of thousands out of the only
employment by which they are barely
able to keep alive. They have no margin
and no alternative. So they go on Tor
centuries effecting a minimum of pro-
duction by maximum of effort, an OBJ
ject lesson for all those who call ma
chinery the poor mans curse.
But there are other reasons for the in
dustrial stagnation of China. 1t is not
safe for private citizen to accumulate
property for the same reason as in
Turkey. If he does, straightway he be-
comes an object of malicious envy by his
neighbors and of plumber by the power
full. Therefore every condition, both of
heredity and environment, is opposed to
the spirit of progress and of patriotism.
My Country, Ills of Thee would be
incomprehensible to Chinaman.
And so we might go on indefinitely,
pointing out Johns faults and follies,
for it is a large subject and a proper,
especially for us. who have so few. But
really the yellow heather has many good
points. And in his virtues, as in his
vices. the childish element is conspicu-
Gus. To strangers in general he is child
like and bland, so long as his fears or
prejudices are not aroused. The Chinese
merchant in the treaty port is a model
of honesty, reliability and politeness. In
his childish simplicity he despises lying
and cheating as the devices of fools. He
has not yet learned to give short weight
to mix different grades Of goods, to pro-
crastinate either In payment or delivery
Nor has he learned to scramble for q
large order with fawning servility and
TO receive small one with snobbish con-
tempt. Every time he enters the foreign
importers office in Hongkong or Shanghai
with the same serene politeness and re-
ceives his reply whether it be a large or
small order or refusal, with the same
unfailing urbanity. If the importer gives
him an order no contract is necessary,
and the white man knows it. He knows
that when he sees the Chinese merchant
''puttee in book the goods will be deliv-
cred at the place and day specified, and
of exactly the grade, amount and price
entered In the memorandum book. That
is Johns contract, and his word is better
than the white mans bond.
One of the most peculiar features OF
Chinese business Is the "comprador' In
this ore individual are united many of
the functions of a bank, collecting agen-
cy, guarantee company, paymaster credit
man and confidential friend and adviser.
To the foreign merchant he Is simply in
valuable and indispensable. He Is the
connecting link between white and yell
low. In all the delicate relations which
his position involves he is the personifi-
cation of ability and reliability, and fairly
earns the wealth which his salary and
commissions ultimately bring him.
His residence and Office is either near
Or adjoining the office of the foreign firm
with which he is associated, and IN his
office he receives the native merchants
with unfailing politeness. and tea. Here
he tranSactS with his countrymen the
business which the foreigner has put
into his hands, with scrupulous fidelity
to the latter's interests and with all the
advantages of a native. He advises the
white importer as to credits, and if
through misfortune, a Chinese merchant
whom he has recommended defaults in
payment, the comprador promptly covers
the deficit
Into his hands are put all the foreign
er's bills for collection. So perfect Is the
confidence repesed in him that bills so
placed are entered in the white mans
books as cash on hand for the eempra-
dor Will honor drafts against them at
any time. AS q banker also he advances
money to the foreigner without which he
could not carry on business, and for this
accommodation he charges only fair
rate.
Copyright, 1900