Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 874

MUKDEN

鼎穆

Mo-din

Mukden, the capital of the province of Manchuria and the ancient seat of the present reigning dynasty of China, was nominally opened to international residence and trade by the Commercial Treaty concluded by the United States with China in 1903, but it was not really opened until 1906, for in the Russo-Japanese war the city became one of the strongholds of the Russian forces from which, however, they were eventually driven by the advancing Japanese army. When peace was concluded and the troops were withdrawn the trade possibilities of the province began to receive increased attention. The principal trade of Mukden has been in grain, such as beans and millet, and it has also been a curing centre for furs. Considerable indirect business has been done with the city in European textiles and hardware, sugar and kerosene oil. When foreign merchants begin to establish themselves in the Manchurian capital a steady development in this trade may be expected. Though consulates have been established, no arrangements had been made to the end of 1908 for the establish- ment of a Customs-house.

Mukden is situated in slightly undulating country a few miles north of the Hunho, a tributary of the river Liao, about 110 miles north-east of the port of New- chwang, and has a station on the Chinese Eastern Railway 1 miles to the west of the city. The city is trebly walled. The outer wall which is circular and built of mud, encloses the suburbs and is 13 miles in circumference; the inner town, which is a mile square, is protected by a stone wall thirty-five feet high and fifteen wide on the top; it is pierced by eight gates, two on each side with high towers above them; another wall encloses the ancient palace which stands in the centre of the inner city, like the palace at Peking. The streets of Mukden are broad and straight; and the city has the appearance of being a busy place. The population is estimated at about 150,000. Nurachu, the founder of the Manchu dynasty, established himself at Mukden in 1625, and his tomb, about seven miles east of the city, is an object of great interest. The great mound and funeral hall are enclosed within a high wall pierced by one large gateway which holds three arched portals, and the avenue of approach is spanned by two lofty stone arches elaborately sculptured. Two massive couchant lions guard the portal. There are many other objects of Manchu historical interest in the town and its vicinity. Accommodation for foreign visitors is at present very_limited. There is a small hotel kept in semi-foreign style by Chinese called the Hai Tien Chun. Recently two small hotels in foreign style have been opened inside the city- the Astor House and Manchurian Hotel. There is also a semi-foreign hotel kept by Japanese situated close to the Railway station.

Mukden has long been an important centre of missionary activity. The terms upon which the town is opened to international trade had not been definitely settled up to the time of the publication of this volume. The Chinese wish to confine foreign merchants, as regards residence and trade, to a certain area outside the west gate near the railway station. This has not been agreed to by the Treaty Powers concerned, and Japanese and other foreign merchants are residing and trading within the town.

Two vernacular newspapers are published in the city, the Sheng King Shih Poo and the Tung San Sheng Kung Pao. The four principal streets of the town are being macadamised and a good road has been made to the railway station; great improvements also are being made in police and sanitary measures as well as in the repairs of Government buildings and the walls of the town.