CARL SMITH
eradicate that inveterate hate and suspicion hitherto entertained for foreigners and all his works and ways.'
Of such men, Ho A-mei was one of the most prominent.
The new views, however, were not welcomed by all.
The article claimed that the officials and gentry were as intolerant and anti-foreign as ever. They viewed reform as leading to social disintegration.
At the other end of the economic scale, the mechanics, day labourers, coolies and boatmen viewed the introduction of Western machines as a prelude to mass unemployment.
But between the top and the bottom was the middle class composed of merchants and shopkeepers, a growing element in the Chinese port cities. They read Hongkong newspapers; they had trade connections with foreigners; they welcomed improvements.
But it was returned emigrants, such as Ho A-mei, who were the most significant leavening element in the new ferment. They were "an increasingly democratic element ... imbued more or less with liberal ideas and foreign tastes, and with sufficient purse-power to make Canton ... more favourable to innovation." As evidence, the article pointed to the telegraph and water works schemes which Ho A-mei promoted.
One foundation for progress, mechanical skill, was long established.
"Cantonese for a long time have had a serious interest in foreign machinery. The Chinese artisan is teachable, has ready insight, patient application, a delicacy of touch, and with a little more faith in lubricating oil will make an efficient machinist. All that is needed is capital and enterprise." These, men like Ho A-mei were ready to provide.
Already at Fatshan there was a match factory, and at Pik King a silk manufactory was using foreign spinning machines.