Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-07-11

cribing. These great awkward birds
are caught young and being natural
fisherman are easily trained to their
work. A single individual handles
twelve. After dark a bright light is
thrown on the water from the boat
when the location for fish is reached
The birds have around their neck a
ring so close as to not allow of their
swallowing but not to interfering
with their work. While two other
men splash the water and handle the
boat the fisherman with his twelve
birds when one has filled the large
sack below the bill and above the
ring around the neck pulls in the
bird, disgorges the sack through the
bill, again sends him adrift to pull in
another bird who has his receptacle
full. 1t is wonderful that a bird
can thus be trained but such is the
fact and to a great source of profit.
AS we pass up the river we pass
many pagodas deserted looking, but
one of great grandure nine stories
high. The Buddhists always build
an odd number of stories.
A smoke stack protruding from the
river we are told as we pass it is all
that is to be seen of a German cruis-
er that was on this river at the time
the war was declared and rather than
inferno the commodore scuttled it in
mid stream where it will no doubt
remain a menace to shipping.
On the following morning we find
ourselves at anchor at Macao the
oldest Caucasian settlement il east
Asia.
In 1857 the Portuguese, who at that
time were the greatest worlds trad
ers, established themselves on this
beautiful island. 1t is 35 miles south
of Hong Kong, the city has about
10000 people though claiming
more. OF these about 5000 are
Portuguese, the rest Chinese mixture.
The island has been beautified,
surrounded with Banyon, camphor
and Tamari1d trees, with beautiful
bay indenting into the center of the
island, wide streets we'll kept, it is a
very desirable location.
have been a very good place, but
now in a very run down condition
with little patronage, the most of
the European business going to
Hong Kong.
While riding to our hotel we found
even the man propelled ricksha was
not entirely safe. One of our ladies,
who was always known for a good
appetite, was too heavy burden for
the coolie to hold down steep hill
ald in spite of all his efforts got the
better of him and running against
another loaded with one of our par
" upset both, but very fortunately
10 one was seriously injured though
very much shaken up.
We take a drive around the walls
still in a good state of preservation.
Dur first stop is to see the process
If making opium as they have an
immense factory here.
The leaves and gum raised in In
liza, secured from the poppy the gum
~ gashing the side of the seed pods
md scraping the juice from it after
{ dries. These are put in large cop
Der pans, boiled to a thick syrup or
taste and when cooled cut in small |
.ubes, rolled in papers and put in |
ans about like the small Talcum |
powder can. Each of these cans |
hey get $4,000 for. The Portuguese |
put a tax on the manu-
acture, which brings them $1,156,-
10000 Mex year. The work of |
is very unhealthy as
5 shown in the compilations of the
aborers.
A visit to a large tobacco factory |
where children, not over four years,
we're employed in stripping the leaves
nd a visit to the places where our
ire crackers are made was very |
process until we saw one |
# their number covered with small |
,ox when our interest seemed to
UPSIDE without any desire to see |
more. But as we had been vacinat-
d on our trip no particular worry to
s.
We rode through beautiful parks |
worth full description,
Drove to the once home of Ca
noe1s, the great Portuguese poet,
Who for years lived here in beauti-
ul surroundings, the place now us
d by the Portuguese government and |
inally we drive around the walls |
where the stencil of acres of fish |
trying in the sun send out a stencil |
hat will satisfy the appetite of the
writer for life as to dried fish.
Macao Is the Monte Carlo of east |
asia AID one going there, if he de-
Tres to see that which most inter-
sts the Chinese must visit the |
houses. 1t was the pleas !
ire and purpose of the writer to
10 so and to understand the game of
Fan Tan which is the gambling here
,racticed and the greatest gambling
,ame of the Chinaman.
The gambling house is built with
.ourt reaching up some stories
lbove the tables, a railing surround
ng the court down which you can
ook onto the table which is much
ike a roulett table of Monte Carlo.
rhe ones frequenting the place are
furnished drinks and cigars free,
,eat surrounds the railing and atten-
iauts take your money, letting it
lown to the table. On the table is
pile of Chinese cash, the operator
with a wand scrapes out a pile Of this
cash and you send down your cash
with the number you bid on. The
numbers are nothing, one, two and
three, If you bid on one Of these
numbers and when he counts over
the pile he has separated before the
hats ara made and after taking four