Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 1216

CHANGSHA

Chang-sha

Changsha (“Long Sands"), the capital city of Hunan, situated on the right bank of the Hsiang River about 100 miles South of Yochow, became a Treaty port under the China-Japan Commercial Treaty of 1903, a Customs House being established on 1st July, 1904. The surrounding country is hilly and very picturesque, affording delightful walks and picnics. Opposite to the city rises Yolushan bill to the height of about 800 feet. On it is a large stone tablet (Yu Pei) recounting the mastery of the floods that once covered an enormous tract of Central China. It was placed there by order of the Great Yü, founder of the Hsia Dynasty, B.C. 2205. (See Williams' Middle Kingdom, Vol. II., pp. 149-151). The magnificent timber on the South of the hill, extending from the Yolushan High School, enclosing the Confucian and the Buddhist temples, and extend- ing to the Taoist temple at the top-whence a beautiful view to the South can be obtained-is well worth a visit from travellers. The school dates back many hundred years and was once one of the most famous in this land of scholars, and under its present excellent management it promises once more to do excellent work for the province. Among the cities of China, Changsha ranks only second to Chengtu; the fine buildings, well laid-out gardens, the wide and clean streets, the good shops, render a walk a pleasant experience. The stone bunding work, extending from the West Gate to the "New River," beyond the North extremity of the city, a distance of about 3 miles, is making good progress; it is expected that the 50-foot-wide carriage road will be com- pleted in the course of 1912. An up to date electric light plant has been installed and is working under the management of a foreign engineer, the Chinese, especially shops, availing themselves more and more of this way of lighting. The value of the trade for 1910 is Tls. 13,090,000 as against Tls. 10,000,000 for 1909, Tls. 9,200,000 for 1908, and Tls. 7,300,000 for 1907, a result which is the more gratifying, as the year, considering the serious riots in thespring caused by the high prices of rice, was on almost disastrous one. The abundant spring and autumn crops of 1910, in combination with various other favourable circumstances, had the effect of influencing the trade of 1911 in a favourable way. Judging from the figures for the first nine months the trade of the year should have surpassed that of any previous twelve months by a large margin. If this margin should be not so big as anticipated the outbreak of the revolution in the beginning of autumn, disorganzing in this port and province as well as in the whole of Central China the entire trade, must be blamed. Owing to its comparatively close vicinity to Wuchang, the cradle of the revolution, the city of Changsha passed over into the hands of the New Party on the 22nd October. This change was effected with- out practically any bloodshed, only the heads of the more important officials, refusing to join the republicans, being sacrificed on the altar of Auti-Manchuism. The Governor, however, managed to escape in the nick of time. After having overcome the few first difficulties in the form of serious disunion between the leaders and representatives of the various parties, the new Government seems to be fairly firmly established in Changsha and the whole province. A most gratifying feature throughout this critical period has been the extremely friendly, not to say courteous, attitude shown to foreigners. Still, not knowing what the course of events may be and not to run any unnecessary risks, all foreigners in Pinghsiang, many missionaries in out-stations and most foreign women and children, as well as many men in Changsha, left for Shanghai.

The low level of the river during the winter months preventing the regular steamers from plying for nearly three months is an obstacle to trade. From the records it would appear that there is now more water over the shallows than was formerly the case, probably owing to the largely increased launch traffic preventing the accumulation of silt, therefore it is not improbable that a regular towing system will be introduced before long to take the place of steamers during the winter. A short section of the Canton-Hankow railway, from Changsha to Chuchow-about 30 miles-was opened to traffic on 10th September, 1911. One passenger train is so far running in each direction per day. The goods traffic is nil. The railway will this winter not profit from the Pinghsiang Colliery bringing its coal down on it to Changsha, as the Colliery was