The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-06
The Republic of China
XXI.-Changing Customs.
BY Frederic J. Haskin

claring that, nevertheless, he is just
as ardent a republican as the mex
man. In Chefoo a number of stand
patters still wear the Queue. When
the tourist reaches Tientsin and Picking
his passion for elongated hair is sat
isfied for the first time. Here every
other male still carries his queue
around, although most Of the young
men have dispensed with it. This is
not out Of fear for the Manchus, al
though this motive operated in behalf
OF the queue during the revolution,
but because of the innate conservatism
OF the northern Chinese. They favor
the incoming era Of progress just as
heartily as do the southerners, but
long usage has accustomed them to
the queue and the other good old
ways of daily life. So why change,
even though the queue was originally
forced upon them as a sign of hui
m1llty by the c%onquering Manchus in
the seventeenth century? President
yuan Shin Kai and other leaders,
whether northern or southern, have
cut off their queues.
1T must be true hat clothes make
the man the world over, as China has
swung in line with great alacrity,
The western mode is quite in vogue
ana doubtless will stay at the top of
the heap thereafter. All over China
foreign clothes are very popular
among the men. and the women now
adays cast very interested glances in
the direction of their occidental sis
ters. A Chinese oma in foreign
clothes is still a rarity. however, but 1t
VIII not be long before those with
the requisite cash will discard their
loose jacket and long trousers, har-
monlous In deep colors and modest
IN the extreme. a veritable symphony
IN SILK and satin, for the more con
sp1cuous but less attractive and SEN
sible attire of the American and Eu-
ropean women.
The men look we'll enough in for
elgn suits, and frequently present
what Is sometimes technically termed
a classy appearance in frock coat
and top hat. The foreign suits, hats,
collars and ties now flooding the Chi
nese market are supplied very largely
py the ever-alert Japanese and are
almost as antique in style as the time
honored robes they replace. An en-
terprising American firm could rear
a fortune IN a season with a stock of
up-to-date and first class goods. The
Chinese always buy the best whenever
possible. A New Year edict from
President Yuan Shin Kali indicates
that western clothes are in China to
stay. 1t stipulates the sack business
suit, conventional evening wear, the
derby and the shiny tile for the men.
while the women are directed to don
a kimono-like garment for house wear
and a pleated skirt and shirt waist for
the street. Corsets and hats are not
mentioned.
Even the revered Chinese wedding
ceremony is giving way to the Chris
tian rite. Several weddings in Prot
estant churches have featured Shang-
MAJ life the past year. In one wedding
the high contracting parties were In
fluential and of old and distinguished
families. The ceremony was foreign
down to the last detail and the girls
father, an impressive old mandarin,
gave the bride away with rare dig
NIFTY. The only foreigner in the entire
proceedings was the British minister.
This couple had lived tny America, the