A raging debate from 1915

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - May I be permitted to express in your columns the thoughts of a reader. I am like Addison - an onlooker - and I view with an unbiassed, yet with an appreciative sometimes disparaging eye, the thoughts sayings and doings of others. My mind is in a similar state to the Spectator's when he is in the Stock Exchange for I am a citizen of the world.

I am filled with the one obsession that man should be judged by his inborn genius and his sincere desire to keep "above the sordid occurrences of his time and remain unsullied by their intercourse." Actuated with these sentiments I have naturally experienced the repulsive feeling that fills one's being when snobbery and love for cast pervert the better judgement of one's own community in its estimation of personal worth. With all prejudices eradicated and hatred for cringing deep-seated in my soul, I find myself a denizen of the mystical East, a wanderer in the land of Confucius.

I have now been some time in Shanghai and to sum up my judgements, I find that there is no town east or west of Suez where there is more cant or hypocracy, more quasi-respectability, where love of cast is more carefully cultured or where the golden key opens more portals than in our own "Model" Settlement.

Consequent upon my position, my social activities and moral obligations are of such a negligible quantity that I can find time to diagnose "from afar" the weaknesses of my "superiors," and my deductions - not the hallucinations of a moribund mind - are given with the full vehemence that knowledge of right begets, and betray in no mitigated manner the supreme contempt that I feel for the people I must claim as fellow-citizens.

Every time my thoughts revert to the social conditions of Shanghai there rises in my mind a quotation culled in my schooldays from the "English Humorists." "Tom Courtly, who is the pink of courtesy ... never fails to pay his obeisance to him who has title or office to make him conspicuous." Therein lies the governing factor of Shanghai social relations. The salary barometer decides whether advances towards friendship will be warm or cold, and human weaknesses that are scorned in the lowly-payed individual are condoned in the salaried man.

The social break that inequality of monthly remuneration makes, asserts itself so much that one would sometimes think that ethnic resemblance was a consequence totally obliterated. Hence we have a regular series of society ranks, each aping its superior and scorning according to its status, its social inferiors. That means that every one of them, with looks of bitter contempt, turn upon the outports - and pour the vials of the their scorn on mine and the unfortunate heads of my fellows.

But in conclusion I believe that our local society, though apparently a healthy body, is full of rottenness. The flush on the consumptive's face is no guide to the disease within. The surgeon's knife - such as Thackeray possessed, and the missionary's proscription are urgently required to eradicate the evil. Coupled with these a little liberality of opinion would conduce to bring matters to a home-like condition.

After all, as that arch-hypocrite Steele puts it - "worth makes the man" and surely no man in his senses will deny the truth of Burn's couplet, now almost descended to a platitude:-

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the guid for a' that."

I am, etc.,

Third Class Tidewaiter

Shanghai, Aug. 28

= = = =

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - Although in receipt of a better salary than your correspondent "Third Class Tidewaiter," I am not too snobbish to offer him a word of friendly advice. He is not well. He should see a doctor.

I am, etc.,

Old Hand

Shanghai, August 31.

= = = =

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - To assert that one is in complete accord with the sentiments expressed by your correspondent this morning is but to echo a widespread conviction.

After many years of mature study of its complexities and proclivities, one arrives at a most pronounced and definite, and indeed it is the only possible, conclusion that Shanghai life is one vast hypocrisy, evolved out of years of assiduous cliquism and degenerate subservience to monied superiority. Of honest opinion there is very little to be found in this town. Speech and action defer alike to vested interests. Money is cast and cast is money, and the resultant atmosphere of matchless snobbery and refined vulgarity which pervades the "Model" Settlement can be perceived by the wayfarer many miles off its precincts.

The chameleon will become monochromatic before honesty, candour and fellowship will be hailed as redivivus in our community life.

I am, etc.

Citizen

Shanghai, August 31

= = = =

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - Referring to "Third Class Tidewaiter's" criticism of Shanghai society in yesterday's issue, I am afraid that his contention is somewhat vague. When dealing with such a matter it is as well to put aside explanatory quotations and realize that the ultimate success of an object such as that of your correspondent depends upon the clearness of his criticism. That snobbery is existent in Shanghai none will deny, but referring to the relative positions of "hong" men and Customs' employees, the position is grossly exaggerated, and it will be to "Third Class Tidewaiter's" advantage when this fallacy is disproved.

Your correspondent gives us the information that he has been in Shanghai some time, and his letter is the result of his outlook on "society" during that period.

Obviously better proof may be obtained by personal experience, and I would suggest that instead of accepting popular belief for facts, "Third Class Tidewaiter" would do well to deduce his opinion from more practical methods.

Having been in Shanghai as long as your correspondent and being in the same rank in the Customs' service, I think I am justified in assuming the non-existence of the said snobbishness, inasmuch as it affects the average individual, on the grounds of my never having been affected personally.

I am, etc.,

"Colleague"

Shanghai, August 31.

= = = =

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - In your paper of today a "Third Class Tidewaiter" delivers a most curious "Criticism of Shanghai."

Claiming to be "like Addison - an onlooker" and presenting himself as "a denizen of the mystical East, a wanderer in the land of Confucius, a citizen of the world," etc., etc., the writer finally makes the startling statement that "our local Society" is as rotten as it can be. In youthful naivete he complains bitterly of the fact that his inborn genius is not received and estimated by us as it should be - of the simple reason that he is an "unsalaried man." And he knows "no town east and west of Suez where snobbery and love of caste is more carefully cultured than in our own Model Settlement."

Mr. Tidewaiter knows very, very little.

But there is one thing he ought to know, and that is - to mind his own business. If we won't do in his "unbiassed, yet sometimes appreciative or disparaging eye," there is only one remedy for it - to get hence quickly to a place where primitive people take comically constructed phraseology and wildly confused citations from the classics for "inborn genius." We don't.

For we are an extremely healthy race, we Shanghailanders. We want no nonsense.

Enclosing my card, I am, etc.,

Shanghailander

Shanghai, August 31.

= = = =

To the editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - I am sorry for "Third Class Tidewaiter." I was once one myself and although I longed to mix with the intellectuals of the town, could not afford it on the salary.

If your correspondent feels that he is being badly treated, I should advise him to find a better paid position. No genius should long remain a third class tidewaiter. Anyhow what's the use of longing for the company of those he so evidently thinks despicable.

There are many successful men in Shanghai who started life in the Customs as Watchers. As a tidewaiter your correspondent has many opportunities. Should he be assiduous in his duties, he may be the means of seizing opium in two ton lots, and the reward obtained thereby should be sufficient to start him off upon a successful career.

Personally, when serving in the Customs, I was always able to find sufficient friends among my colleagues. Many of them were rough diamonds, but after a lapse of years, they still remain my friends.

Shakespeare, Shelley, Byron or Bacon would probably have made very bad Searchers, would have been absolutely useless on "Section Duty," and, I imagine, they knew little, if anything, about the collection of "Night Permits."

Enclosing my card, I am, etc.,

Semper Fidelis

Shanghai, Sept. 2.

= = = =

To the Editor of the "North-China Daily News"

Sir, - It was hardly wise of "Third Class Tidewaiter" to sign as such because it sets people wondering what failing has reduced a man of some literary attainments to an eminently respectable but rather humble position: and it may even give rise to the suspicion that the same weakness may perhaps be responsible for denying him the social recognition for which he craves and the absence of which arouses him to such bitter scornfulness. A suspicion of this kind naturally somewhat detracts from the importance that might otherwise be attached to his opinions, but it is only fair to admit that he has had the courage to set down plainly certain truths that Shanghai, in its prideful claim to be regarded as the Model Settlement, generally thinks it best to ignore, and of which, indeed, the majority of men and women here are quite unconscious.

The decision of the Race Club Committee to hold the Autumn Races as usual is a glaring example of the spirit and tone of the place, and appears to some of us as so revolting an exhibition of vulgarity and want of all decent feeling that some remonstrance seems called for.

There is no valid excuse for holding the Meeting, such as might be put forward in France, England or the Colonies, where racing undoubtedly exercises a considerable and valuable influence in preserving the thoroughbred, and where enormous vested interests and capital are at stake, and the shocking impression this decision must make on our Allies is most painful to every decent Briton. It may be argued that the matter is one for the Members of the Race Club to decide for themselves and that those who do not approve can stay away; that many of the members are neutrals and not concerned with the war, and that pony-racing as a sport is on equal terms with cricket, lawn tennis, golf or any other game. There is no disputing the truth of the first two arguments, though their validity may be questioned; but the last is vitiated by the fact that Race Days are made Public Holidays, that the Chinese flock to the course in crowds and that there is an orgy of gambling and dissipation.

Shanghai, in spite of its fine qualities of generosity, hospitality, sporting instincts and energy is, collectively, appallingly vulgar, uneducated and pretentious. As a small instance: before the volunteers were taken in hand by real soldiers, the Light Horse were clothed in the full-dress uniform of the 17th Lancers, and it used to make a new-comer smile to see one of these gorgeously apparalled warriors jogging along very fiercely on a tiny Chinese moke. The infantry were in the uniform of the Brigade of Guards, with a scarlet tunic, white patent leather belt, black trousers with a red stripe and a very heavy white helmet with a formidable brass spike, a large brass plaque in front and a brass chin strap. This kit was designed only for ostentation and to attract recruits: it was entirely unsuited for active work, but it wasaltogether in accordance with Shanghai taste.

I am no enemy to racing, and I can quite appreciate the pride of 'Enery or 'Erb, whose riding at home was limited to sixpennorth on the sands of Margate, being able to write home to his admiring friends that his racer would have won the Derby had the weather been different, or some equally impressive fiction.

He certainly omits to tell them that his fiery courser cost about ten quid and is shared on joint account with some other quill-drivers in his office. If you invite this young gentleman to lunch you must be careful to give him champagne, or he will wonder what the devil you asked him for, and will regard you as a most parsimonious person ignorant of the habits of good society. Go to one of the big Balls if you want to be amused. There you will see 'Enery in all his glory, with free champagne for the asking, and the opportunity of showing what 'Ammersmith or Tootin' can do in the line of high-class dancing; while his easy manner with his partners (some might call it abominable impertinence) is a revelation in suburban deportment.

As for the senior element in this community, education, refinement and a reputation for strict integrity count as nothing in comparison with wealth and ostentatious expenditure. Does it damage a man's position here if he is known to have made his money by, shall we say, smartness? Not a bit of it. So long as he has enough and has kept out of direct exposure you will find him taking a leading part in all public functions. And in this community the cliques, the snobbishness of imaginary grades, the competition in tawdry splendour and display, the feline amenities and the extravagance in dress and ornament, and especially the lowered standard of honour and integrity, all tell of the decadence brought about by purely commercial pursuits amid oriental surroundings in a class unfitted by early education and tradition to resist their influence.

Your unhappy Tidewaiter need not sigh over his exclusion from a society whose conversation never soars above local gossip and scandal, where books are never mentioned and from which all that adds beauty to existence and helps to release our souls from the mire of sordid routine is carefully excluded as unprofitable and dull.

I am, etc.

A Cynic

Shanghai, September 2, 1915.

= = = =

The Foibles of Shanghai

There are at least two ways of meeting criticism, by silence, which as often as not is held to be contemptuous, and by frank analysis of the fault or faults preferred. The former is by far the easier method and not infrequently the wiser one to adopt: in connexion with the criticism of Shanghai which has appeared in our correspondence columns, however, it would have the disadvantage of doing nothing to help the wounded feelings to which recent letters have borne testimony. Moreover, at a time like the present, it is just as well to see ourselves as others see us and a little moral stock-taking can do nobody any harm.

"Third Class Tidewaiter's" opinion is that "there is no town east or west of Suez where there is more cant or hypocrisy, more quasi-respectability, where love of cast is more carefully cultured or where the golden key opens more portals than in our own 'Model' Settlement."

"Citizen" declares that "Shanghai life is one vast hypocrisy, evolved out of years of assiduous cliquism and degenerate subservience to monied superiority." It will be observed at once that each of these charges resolves itself into two, one that Shanghai is intensely hypocritical, the other that it has an intense respect for large balances at the bank. Let us take the latter first. Is there anything essentially wrong about a respect for large balances at the bank? Shanghai is, in the main, a business community. Some of its residents are not engaged in making money, but the majority are. The majority came out to the East to devote themselves to buying and selling and in the hope of doing as well for themselves in the process as possible. That, both our correspondents will allow, is the main object of all trade, and they will also allow that the only way of measuring the success with which this object is pursued is by comparing the total number of dollars or pounds sterling obtained by one man with that obtained by another. In a trading community, in other words, or in respect of activities of a commercial character, wealth and success are synonymous terms, just as in a game of cricket runs and success are synonymous, or in a race speed and success are synonymous.

In the mere fact of a commercial community extending admiration to the rich there is, therefore, no hypocrisy at all, any more than there is in the members of a Golf Club admiring the man who can "go round" in the smallest number of strokes. In fact when "Third Class Tidewaiter" says that he knows of no town where the golden key opens more portals he is paying Shanghai a compliment. He is only saying that the place is true to itself. His criticism, like that of "Citizen's", really commences when he says that "the salary barometer decides whether advances towards friendship will be warm or cold, and human weaknesses that are scorned in the lowly payed individual are condoned in the salaried man." Whenever this happens the charge of hypocrisy is entirely justified. We know, of course, that it does happen, not only here but everywhere. The question is does it happen here more than anywhere else? We must be on our guard against forgetting to take into consideration two characteristics of Shanghai. One of these has already been alluded to, namely, that the number of people engaged in other than commercial occupations is comparatively small. Instead of there being, as there are in most towns of similar importance, many worlds there are in Shanghai few. There is, for example, no artistic, literary musical or theatrical world, each absorbed in its own interests and pursuing its own life. Numbers of residents, of course, paint, write, enjoy music and are keenly interested in theatricals, but nearly of all them indulge in these activities by way of amusement and recreation.

The other characteristic is that, rapidly as the Settlement has grown and is growing, it is still small enough for everybody to know a great deal about everybody else's business. The two characteristics combined result, on the one hand, in unusual concentration of purpose and, on the other, in unusual publicity. Nearly all friendships are open to the public eye and liable to suspicion.

Taking these facts into consideration we doubt very much whether social relations here are more hypocritical than elsewhere. There remains a third question, the most important of all, namely, whether Shanghai, in its admiration of success, is careless as to the means by which success is won.

There have unquestionably been notable instances of the dollar triumphing over everything, of faults which would have been severely censured in poorer men being condoned because those guilty of them were rich and powerful.

But is there any place in the world with a clean record in this respect? Everybody knows that there is not: that from one end of the world to the other the rich man commands a larger measure of freedom than his fellows. And in this connexion there is this to be said in Shanghai's favour that from the very circumstances of its rise from a small and unimportant Treaty Port, opened as the result of war, to the prosperous position it now occupies on the China coast, it has always been an adventurous town, a town far more liable to big temptations than places with more humdrum histories behind them. Liability to temptation does not, of course, excuse the kind of hypocrisy of which our correspondents write, but it is unquestionably a factor to be taken into consideration when comparisons are instituted between Shanghai's morality and that of other cities. Our correspondents speak in the superlative.

They are not content to say that Shanghai has certain faults. They say that Shanghai's faults are the worst of their kind to be found anywhere. We find ourselves unable to agree. The "Model" Settlement is very far from being perfect: its life is characterized by many tendencies which need watching, but it is not anything like as black as our correspondents paint it.

From the North-China Herald, September 4, 1915

Contributed by Eric Politzer