The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09

Chinese coast as Colorado is west
= OF New York, a region where
snowy mountain peaks tower a mile
or more above the highest in the
United States, live forty tribes Of tho
Oldest. least known ana most puzzlinS
peoples on tho face of the earth.
ON map their territory, on ir-
regular crescent 500 niles long ana
from 90 to 800 miles wide, curving
through the province OF Sze-chun. Is
Z part Of the Chinese Republic. But
that Is on the map. On the ground,
they are Independent" for widely as
the tribes differ Jstney~ are agreed on
one thing, that the Chinese shall not
uespass. And the Chinese, although
armed with the most modern rifles
and machine guns, are content. Gen
erations OF flghtiDg with these shat
tered remnants Of unknown races have
taught them 70 let we'll enough uIone.
Not only are there representatives
Of the white, brown and yellow races
among them, but there are also, ac-
cordng to DR.. Joseph Beech. president
OF the West China Union University
and one of the few white Europeans
who have ever entered and returned
from their borders. representatives OF
the race the Indians OF North America
sprang from.
Peopled American Continent.
Without qualification DR.. Beech.
who has spent most of tho past
twenty years in China. asserts he be-
lieyes that in West Gina the race
which was to people America orig
mated, or at least lived for GEN.
turtles.
Il have seen people-men, women
and children-in West China whom 1t
would be absolutely impossible to dis
tngu!sh from tho Indians OF the
Western States IL they were dressed
alike" said DR.. Beech, telling OF his
adventures ut tho Board OF Foreign
Missions OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church at 100 Fifth avenue.
u believe, too, that l stumbled
across an explanation OF the curious
totem poles found along the western
coast Of North America. These totem
poles, regarded merely as a peculiar
form OF idols. in my opinion originally
had some practical utility. In the
GIN houses Of West China the stone
dwellings are built tier on tier up the
hillside like flight OF great steps.
The second floor cannot be entered
except through an opening in the
ceiling OF the first floor. and so on up
10 the top.
Ladders do not exist even to-day
In these dwellings, Instead, the trunk
OF tree is used. Through the hole
In the ceiling the top Juts into the
chamber above by a distance OF three
or four feet. Notches are cut in the
Tree trunk SO that n crude perpen.
oicular stairway Is formed. The part
above the floor is left to give the
climber a grip for his hands as he
reaches the topmost notch in his up
ward climb. The primitive stairs
themselves afforded a means OF escape
nom enemies. Hence they came to
lie regarded az something more Inn
portant than mere poles or tree
thinks. Gods OF hideous appearance
were carved on their tops. In West
cnlna many of these carved poles
still remain.
Took Coz Ladders with Then.
1T seems, in view Of what is known
OF the religious instincts OF primitive
people, that they would be most re-
iuetant TO leave behind them these
goo ladders. Certainly when they
safted on their great migration. as
believe they did. going north
through China and Siberia to Der.
ing Strait, they would carry with them
ens memory Of these gods. A they
wandered, somehow crossing the mar
TOW strait between Siberia ana Alaska.
.ns need for the notches In the poles
@appcarsd; there were no cliff houses
70 climb. Consequently the orna-
aental carving extended downward
uaui the entire pole became 4 single
VOL. without any other USE"
Vhree white mon with q Chinese
salde, who knew some Of the chiefs
VI the less fierce tribes, travelled
Sorthwestward from the city of
pshs-tu into the borderland Of the