Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-03

each other, where the only means of
transportation is in chairs carried by
the coolies. Imagine a place differ
ent from all Ours-that is Canton.
| spent Christmas day there and /
never expect to spend another Christ
mas like it.
AS previously mentioned, we were
advised of possible trouble, and as a
precaution the American consul took
the matter up with the Chinese gov
ernment, and it in turn notified the
Viceroy at Canton he would be held
personally responsible if any harm
came to any of our party. English
gunboats were stationed just off the
city and the Viceroy not only placed
placards throughout the city threat
ening death to any one molesting us,
but in addition soldiers were scat
tered about the city, and at every
crook in the street officers were
placed; besides this, officers accom-
panied each party. Our little group
of three had two policemen as escorts
and we were checked into all places OF
interest and checked out when we
left. In China, the Viceroy has to be
responsible for any crimes or DANA
ges done in his district, so he took nc
chances of any of US coming to grief
AS an illustration of their method
the China Mail told of robbery OF
cloth and the police not having been
able to capture the thieves, the mer-
chant petitioued the Viceroy who in
turn notified the local magistrate
that if the robbers were not caught
within specified time, punishment
would be meted out to him. If that
system were in vogue here, Chief of
Police jobs would go begging and
more criminals caught.
The reason the streets are so
crooked is because of the belief that
the evil spirits can only fly in a
straight line and because of this be-
lief the roofs OF their buildings are
not made straight as is the case with
the most OF ours. The building of
railroads was long objected to be-
cause OF the same reason.
At the present time steamers are
the means of communication between
Hong Kong and Car ton. but work on
a railroad line from Kowloon on the
mainland, to Canton, was in prog
ress, and soon that means OF travel
can be taken advantage Of. The
boats on which we went from Hong
Kong were of good size and the ac-
cOmmodatiOns comfortable. There
are two classes of native accommoda-
tions, as well as that for Europeans,
and they are entirely separated. In
the European cabin firearms were
kept in rack, and between the
native and European portion of the
ship was an iron door. This pre-
caution was necessary to prevent
Chinese pirates from seizing the
ship. This has happened and SO
J preventive measures are now taken.
Just opposite Canton is the city OF
Chameen Sand. This is an arti-
fetal island and here the Consulates
and other Europeans are, stationed.
Each OF the two bridges across the
canal are closed by gates and are
guarded at all times by soldiers,
who prevent any but authorized
Chinese from entering the European
settlement, but Europeans are free
to 60 into the native city.
AS mentioned before. the reason
the streets are so crooked is because
of the belief that the evil spirits can
only fly in o straight line. l pre-
sumo they think his evilness will be
hurrying to catch some sinner who
will dodge around the corner. while
the bad spirit jumps against the
wall and is put out of existence. 1t
would be almost impossible to find
your way around without a guide.
and to lose ones self in Canton would
be worse than to be lost in the forest,
for after dark ones life would be
worth little. There are robber guilds
as well as trade guilds (associations)
and merchants pay them to protect
their places from thievery.
The pawnshops are landmarks OF
the town, for they tower above all
others. The poor use them as a
means of obtaining money on their
goods, while the rich use them as a
place OF storage for their valuables.
1t is said the number of pawnshops
indicate the prosperity or poverty OF
a community = many pawn-shops,
prosperity; few, the reverse. The
sale OF pawn-tickets is q thriving
business. and along the streets they
are freely offered for sale. Placards
showing a list of the articles and the
great bargains to be secured. greet
the eye at many places throughout
the city. Yes; you can see dead
rats for sale in the shops. They are
dried and are to be found at all the
butcher shops. Cats and dogs are
also for sale in q certain part OF
Canton. They are dressed and ready
for cooking. When you want to buy
mart Of fish tho uoorchout <aLao a