Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1012

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

916

NANKING

line from Shanghai to Nanking does not seem to have given the impetus to commercial life anticipated. Trains are running daily from Shanghai to Nanking and a short line has 'been completed connecting Hsiakwan, the port of Nanking, with the southern part of 4he city, a distance of six to eight miles. Work was commenced on the southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow line in January, 1909. The total length of the southern section of this line is 236 miles, which was completed in 1912. During the past two or three years there has been "quite an air of progress," especially in building, and quite a Western aspect is being given to the ancient Capital of the Mings, as the new government buildings are all in foreign style, and so also are a growing number of shops and residences recently built for Chinese. The Naval College, a large pile of buildings, was opened in 1890. It was closed during the Revolution, but has since been re-opened. The Nanking University was founded in 1888 by the Central China Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now an imposing and well-appointed school, with a large roll of scholars. The Arsenal and Powder Mills, for many years in charge of foreigners, are now entrusted to native direction. They are situated just outside the South Gate. A macadamized road has been built from the steamer landing clear through the city to the Tung-Tsi Gate in the south wall, a distance of eight miles, and many similar roads in other parts of the city have been added during the last few years, so that it is now posssible to go "almost anywhere" in carriages. The carriages and jinrickshas which have been introduced are much appreciated by the people. British, American and German Consulates were opened in 1900, and since then a Japanese Consulate has also been established. The net value of the trade of the port has averaged for some years between ten and eleven million taels, but the figures for 1914 show a considerable increase over those of previous years. A grand industrial exhibition-the first of its kind in China-was held in 1910, the principal buildings being devoted to liberal arts, foreign exhibits, agriculture, fine arts, education, Chinese exhibits from foreign countries, a model hospital and an arsenal

Nanking was the scene of much fighting in the revolutionary campaign during October and November, 1911. The whole city was occupied by the revolutionaries in the early days of December, the Tartar City was sacked and burnt and Nanking became the seat of the Provisional Government with Dr. Sun Yat-sen as President. Here the Republican Constitution was drawn up and promulgated, and the Revolutionary leaders sought and still hope to make Nanking the capital of the Republic.

In July, 1913, a military outbreak occurred which rapidly developed into an armed rebellion against the Central Government, and from the 15th August until the 1st September the city, until it capitulated to the Government troops, was under a severe bombard- ment. All of Hsia-kuan was burnt, and Nanking was looted. Advantage is being taken of the destruction of Hsia-kuan to widen the existing streets and build new ones, and the Chinese are showing, to the fullest extent, their wonderful powers of recupera- tion from catastrophes that would seem fatal elsewhere in the world. A very large garrison of Northern troops is now maintained in the city.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1012

Comments

Private Research Note