Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-29
EVENTS IN THE ORIENT
STATEMENT BY MRS WILLIAM
n. LUNT OF SHANGHAI.
Boycott of American Goods-well-
Drilled American Company
Naval Forces in Readiness.

Mrs. William H Lunt OF Shanghai,
China, whose husband. an American, is
captain of the Chinese merchant steamer
kwangtah plying between Shanghai, Hong
Kong and Canton. is in this city stopping
with Mrs. Frank Jenkins, 237 sth street
southeast. She furnishes some interesting
data OF existing conditions in China. Mrs.
Lunt has been IN Boston since her return
to America several months ago, but is In
Constant receipt OF letters and papers CIV
Ing detailed account of conditions and
events in the orient. In reply to a Ques-
tion as to the present status of the boycott
OF American goods, Mrs. Lunt states that
while the Chinese claim that the boycott
has been lifted and that they take no
further interest In the movement against
the manufacturers OF this country intelli-
gent opinion as outlined in letters and
newspapers tends to the belief that Amerl-
Can merchants still feel the effects of the
boycott, and that while active efforts to
break down American commercial under
takings are not so evident as formerly, 1t
VIII be a considerable time before the
prejudice will be dead or entirely ineffec-
tive. At one time American goods in CHI
nese stores were marked with a Chinese
phrase to the effect, These are American
goods: do not buy Recently, however.
are marked These are not American
goods" Mrs. Lunt has two sons in Shang-
hal, who congratulate themselves, In view
OF the boycott, upon their employment by
English rather than by American CONNER
eial houses.
The last rioting in Shanghai, which is
well-protected and perhaps the quietest OF
the ports, occurred the 18th OF December
1905 and no immediate outbreak is now
feared But there are always disquieting
rumors in the air, and in consequence
volunteer force of i,400 men mas peeh or
ganized of Europeans and Americans for
the protection OF the foreign settlement ana
property. This volunteer corps has realiy
been in existence since the Talking rebel
lion many years ago, put IL mas recenuy
been thought prudent to largely augment
The force. The American company OF more
than forty men. organized within the last
few months, is now thoroughly drilled.
Furnished by Municipal Council.
In case OF riot arms and ammunition are
quickly furnished by the municipal council,
an international body composed of nine
members, of whom six are British, one
American and one German, who with
secretary manage the affairs OF the foreign
settlement. Mrs. Lunt has a personal let
ter from Canton, in which this statement
as to probable trouble in the near future
occurs. Things seem to be quieting down
a little but the people think that as soon
as the weather gets warmer they tine
Chinese) will be ready for anything ,.
Life in Shanghai" Mrs. Liant said, III
one can Withstand summer cllmauc cohuI
lions. is really quite agreeable Tor an
American or European women we nave
$50 Americans and total of 1l,5O0 persons
of all European nations In the lnterna-
tional settlement There Is considerable
culture and refinement, and social Ire is III
many respects charming. we nave IouI
daily newspapers printed in Englisn, eXcei,
lent water works, electric lights ana an
sorts of civilized comforts and 1mproYe-
Irents, including an American woman
club The council, we believe, VIII soon
give us electric tramways. Altogether
ITelI-bred people who live in the far east
do not have nearly so lonesome and trying
a time as is popularity supposed.
Life Is Attractive.
81 have lived in the orient for seventeen
years and in many respects life there pre-
sents elements that are even more attrac-
tive than life in an American city. We see
life in all it's phases and come in contact
with intelligent and travelled people from
every quarter of the globe"
Mrs Lunt states that the American mer-
chants and their families in the far east
are uniformly reputable and intelligent peo-
pie.
Capt Iunt. IN his recent letters, states
that he is impressed with the wisdom ana
prudence of the American government IN
holding naval forces in readiness Tor any
untoward event that may occur, but ne ex-
presses satisfaction with the present out
look and is of opinion that state OF pre-
paredness not extensively apparent, Is the
best guarantee of quiet and of prosperous
conditions for American trade.