Oriental Tributes to Americans

THE consul general at Shanghai has informed the State Department that the organizations of silk, tea and cotton-piece goods dealers have voluntarily contributed to a fund for the erection of a monument in Shanghai in honor of the late President McKinley. It is announced that they are doing this to show their appreciation of the man and of his attitude toward China. Never before has such action been taken by the Chinese people in honor of any foreigner. This unexpected tribute to America brings to mind the action of Japan in erecting a monument in memory of Commodore Perry, the American commander who opened Japan to the world. Not only has Japan perpetuated his name in a monument, but he will also have a foremost place in the official history of the empire about to be written by Dr. G. Mitsukuri, an instructor in the University of Japan at Tokyo. Dr. Mitsukuri has just completed a course of study of the histories of European nations in the universities of Berlin and Paris, undertaken under direction of the educational department of Japan, in order that he might acquire the best methods for the compilation of the annals of his country. While in Chicago recently en route homeward he said it would be his purpose to accord to Commodore Perry and the United States full credit for the regeneration of Japan.