Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
CHINESE OF PENANG.
Adopting the Modes and Customs Of
Their European Neighbors.

From the Penang Straits Echo.
The Penang-born Chinese are not slow to
recognize that to be progressive they must
keep pace with the onward march of the
times. So general has this feeling become
that within the last decade rapid strides
have been made in the direction Of reform
There are. however. still many difficult bar
riers to be negotiated. but with determine
ton these may be surmounted
1t may be pertinently asked what the goal
Is at which the Straits Chinese should aim ?
To begin with, they should adopt European
costume. as the Japanese have done A for
eigner to Penang. or the native states, can
easily distinguish the difference between a
Strafts-born Chinese and celestial proper.
This to some extent, shows that the Straits
Chinese are progressing in the right direc-
ton. The fashion of the latest cuts is
closely watched by them. so much SO that
In kuala Lumpur an Quitting department
owned by Penang-born Chinese has been
established to further this object; loose and
baggy trousers, which are an membranes
to cyclists; coats as If made to provide for
bodily growth: Sin Cheang shoes from
China. are gradually but surely giving way
to tight trousers, collars, jackets and Eng
lish-made boots, while as for the headgear,
white mats are becoming popular, such as
"Panamas. the Straits and Ellwoods
White to the Chinese is a sign of deepest
mourning. but the Babas- of today have
learned the absurdity of sticking to anti
quated customs and sentiments. The tow
chang (queue), standing menace to cy-
clists. mechanicianS and others Is wisely
discarded by. some, but this dereliction of
ancient custom is still looked upon with
great horror by the fair sex, who, in con-
Junction with the scholars of Chinese litera-
ture. retain their conservative admiration
for 1t. friend of the writer, who proved
to have the sourage of his convictions re-
Gently informed him that 1t almost threat
oxt.t~~ I n
saw him without his tail =. but after she
had got used to the loss she was heard to
say that 1t was pity others would not fol-
low s ner =, hus spa Is, sensible example: The
with the return of the PenaneoIads who are
sent to complete their Studies in. Eurone
towehangless this obstacle may eventually
De removed Inc noniass at0o,f have caught
the contag1on or reform. but in a lesser de-
gree. Ill ~
Turning to their social life, the bright and
shady side-sights require .to,- be touched
upon. In regard to theI relationship be-
said that an ornate desire. to place the
latter on an equal footing els more mo-
, iceahle each day.. A husband is not now
a alsI =, 10 give ms comneere seat with
MIN IN an open conveyance or even escort
her to a picnic, where necessarily the men
and women mix with each other freely. On
the other hand cases of wives leaving their
husbands are OF fNqueDt occurrence. the
real causes of which NAV he s,,mn, r,.aS
as follows: The husband leads a life of de-
Dauchery. cultivated In the so-called Intel
iectuaI Improvement Clubs, where ntera-
ture supposed to be their primary object.
Is almost unknown. The wife, finding that
her husband longs more for his club than
MS nome. naturally resents the change.
ana. her remonstrances being In vain. she
seeks the company Of her relatives.
AS against the fair sex. the horrible
/ scourge OF Peh Bin is to very great ex-
tent Responsible for her downfall. She first
lured into the irresistible influence as IL by
magic and from small 81 grows TO big
stakes. until the husband discovers that his
wife has substituted her jewelry Tor gilt. or