The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-31
A Letter From Harry Huber, Chief
Electrician on the u. s. S. Mary

The following are extracts from letter to
Mr.. A. H. Huber, of this city, from his son
Harry, who is chief electrician on the cruiser
Maryland. The letter was received on May
q. tmay be of interest to some of the young
sailors acquaintance and friends to know
that during the past summer the Cruisers
Pennsylvania, Colorado, West Virginia and
Maryland sailed for the Philippines via
Gibralter, the MEDITERRANEAN and the Suez
Canal. Since reaching Manila the squadron
has been visiting the various ports along the
Chinese as we'll as japanese coasts, and going
up as far as Nankin, on the Yang Use. Kiang
river in China.
The letter referred to is dated Cavite, P
l., April 9th, and says: We have been back
from Woosang, China, about a week. After
leaving Woosang we came direct to Olongapo,
where the big dry dock is-the one that made
that celebrated trip across the ocean. We
went into dock and remained there several
days having the bottom of the hull scraped
and painted.
While at Woosang went ashore and with
other of the boys went up to Shanghai. 1t is
considered one of the most attractive cities
along the coast for sight seeing. AS you may
probably know the city is divided into three
second by the English, Americans and other
foreigners, and the third by the natives. The
main street is broad and handsome and re-
minds one of Broadway in N. Y, and it is so
named. Each of these sections has its own
local government and seems to be entirely
distinct from the others. The native part of
Shanghai is by far the most interesting aud
we, Immediately after going ashore, proceeded
to take in the sights of the Chinese quarters.
THE hotel clerk advised us to ''go in bunch"
as it was not safe for even two to be alone.
So we went in crowd and hired number of
iiurickashas-small wheeled vehicles
hauled by one or two men. You should have
seen the procession ! When we reached the
bridge which crosses stream that divided the
French from the English quarters of the town
we were halted, and because of having no
license to travel that way over French terri
tory without one, we had to dismount and
walk the balance of the way. We, however,
picked up guide, and it was good we did or
we would never have been able to find our
way back again. Like all, or nearly all,
Chinese towns that l have seen, the native
portion of Shanghai is walled, and to enter
the town you are compelled, no matter from
what direction you come, to cross bridge
and pass through gate. Looking across the
bridge over which our party passed through
the gate, Shanghai seemed to be hive of
humanity Chinese were pouring in and out
of the gate absolutely in streams.
We asked our guide to conduct US first to a
Joss house, the sacred building in which
Chinese worship. On our way we kept mighty
close together. The streets, most of the way,
allowed only four men to pass abreast, and
the curiosities of Chinese living, the man.
ner in which the storekeepers tried to induce
us to spend our cash, &C., will always make
me remember my trip to the Joss house.
Finally we reached this sacred temple, the
charge of admission to which was twenty
cents. The priest or person in charge placed
a lot of paper balls on top of jar which he
was in front Of, he said, 'the good luck joss. "
Then he set them on fire. We were given to
understand that good luck would attend us
for many moons to come. The room was full
of losses or idols, each representing differ
emf idea-this the god of wealth, health, peace,
&C., &C. We finished sight seeing with the
Joss house and hurried back in time to pass
out of the gates as no one is allowed to pass
in or out after six O. clock in the evening.
Many of the Chinese, the poorer classes
their dead Along the line ofralroad between
Shanghai and Woosang we saw number of
mounds, the bodies lying on the surface of the
EARTH covered with bamboo or most anything
that seemed to be convenient, and in the
matter of selection of place of burial "most
any old place. seemed to suit. Some, how
ever, seemed to be better than others.
Clothing in China is cheap, just about one
half what we pay at home. l suppose, how
ever, that wages are on the same level, at
least Judging from the poverty that seems to
prevail. I never saw so many apparently
poverty stricken people in my life.
My health is very good, and am enjoying
my experience.
From your son,
u.ppv p Huprp