The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

Most Washingtonians are probably OF
the opinion that it costs next to nothing
to live in China, provided one will live as
the Chinese do. The low rate OF wages in
that country and the almost inconceivable
poverty of the people. with their ability
to exist upon an amount of money which
would be the despair of the poorest Amer
leans, has been dinned into the ears OF
the people of this country until they have
reached a point where any other idea
seems a hideous incongruity. For this
reason a recent communication from Con-
sui Wilbur T. Graeey OF Tsingtau, China.
Will be read with some surprise here.
Especially will this be so when the
writer points out that it costs as much
or more to live in Tsingtau, Shanghai.
and Hongkong as it does In Washington,
Philadelphia, or New York Indeed, Mr..
Gracey remarks upon the immense in
crease in the cost of living In China in
the last ten years and seems at a loss 10
find good reasons TO account for H. In
part. Mr.. Gracey says:
The cost OF living in China has in
creased considerably during the past few
years, and the increased price Of pro-
visions. rents. and other current expenses
are becoming a continual subject for
newspaper discussion.
Old and New Prices Compared
Ten years ago il was possible to secure
in Tientsin or Shanghai a good and COM
modiOus residence for So 10 $40, gold, per
month, and luxurious building for $50,
hut 81.
pears 10 be the latter figure. and houses
which ten years ago were renting for SS5
now bring double that amount A seven
room house in a row. without garden.
rents for about $50 while a detached
house with even small garden cannot
be obtained for less than So.
In Tsngtan rentals are somewhat
higher. averaging SO for a seven or eight
room house and running to $50 a month
for an unpretentious villa with a small
gardenl containing probably ten or twelve
rooms.
Hongkong rentals are about the same
as Shanghai but vary considerably ac-
cording 10 the situation. those at the
Peak Ga mountain resort above the city,
commanding about 90 per cent more than
houses situated on the lower level.
Wages and Cost of Commodities.
Ten years ago it was possible TO en-
ploy excellent boys at $3.50 10 s.. gold.
per month. cooks from $3.50 10 IS, and gen
eraI house coolies for $3.50 or 50. Jinriki-
sha coolies could be secured for about the
same price as house coolies and would
work as indoor servants when they were
not pulling the jinrikisha. At the present
time in Shanghai. HOngkong and Tien-
tsin wages are $ 10 $40, gold. per month
for boys. while in some cases they de-
mani even higher wages-s6 10 $3.50. gold
for cooks. 81 10 s. for coolies. Outdoor
and indoor servants now will not ex-
change duties. which necessitates an
extra man FOR those who. keep their own
3inrikisha-
In Tslngtau wages are still higher
than in Shanghai or other places in China.
and are 100 10 $50 per cent more thar In
other places In Shantung province Bows
here receive sl3. gold. month. cooks SO
to SIS. coolies s. to S. childrens Chinese
nurses demand s15 a month and their
food, while IN other parts Of China the
latter receive $3.50 70 S. gold. per month.
or possibly ar the highest s., and procure
their own food.
Expenses Increase 40 Per Cent.
The price Of all household commodi-
ties in Shanghai, Hongkong. and Tientsin
has increased 30 to 30 per cent and meats
even higher. When the price Of silver
rose some two years ago the price OF
timed goods was advanced as was also
the price OF other commodities, but with
the decline Of silver there is no compea-
sating reduction in the prices Of articles
Of consumption.
II Is impossible for persons living in
America 70 realize the great variation
that is possible in the buying power of
money where IL is always on a fiuctuatinc
basis. A person who six or eight years
ago received a salary OF 5000 per annum.
equal TO about 5000 in local currency.
now finds that his $500 only brings him |
about $500 local currency, while the
price of everything has increased enor-
mously."