Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 688

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PEKING

attractive as an object of travel than before, for the simple reason that the City was cleansed by the foreign Powers, and that many places of antiquarian, artistic or historic interest are now accessible if the visitor sets about his object with due attention to national susceptibilities.

During 1902 the fortification of the Legation quarter was completed, the railway termini brought to the Ch'ien Men in the Chinese City, and the reconstruction of the various Legations was begun. These were slowly brought to completion, and extensive barracks connected with each for the accominodation of the Legation Guards. As most Chinese buildings in this section were removed the Legation quarter presents the appearance of a European settlement of about half a square mile in extent. There are several large stores, which sell all kinds of foreign goods. The Club House is much larger and more convenient than it was before; there is a Soldiers' Y.M.C.A., and a Catholic Church for the Legation Guards, and two hospitals-St. Michel's and the Methodist Episcopal John L. Hopkins Memorial, which are provided with accommoda- tion for both Chinese and European patients. There are several Banks-Hongkong and Shanghai, Russo-Chinese, Banque de l'Indo Chine, Banque Industrielle, Banque Etrangères, International Bank, Chartered Bank, and Yokohama Specie- all of which do a flourishing business. The streets are macadamized, and two Electric Light Companies have been organized which will furnish light wherever wanted in the city.

Though Peking preserves its Oriental aspect, and retains most of its old-world features it can not truthfully be said that the city is falling into decay. Undoubtedly the city walls show the ravages of time, and the monuments of the past betray a lack of attention, but in the city itself there are unmistakable signs of change and of pro- gress. Electric light is almost universal, the main roads are kept in a good state of repair, sanitation is not disregarded, and in innumerable ways there are indications of fairly healthy vitality. The communal feeling as expressed in Western Countries by municipalities and local governments has not yet developed among the Chinese, but in its absence in Peking the Ministry of Interior and the police perform duties which are altogether extraneous to their respective offices, the idea being to make Peking a model city and an example to others throughout the country. The different branches of administration of the metropolitan district have been thoroughly reorganised, and men of modern education appointed to important posts. The Minister of Interior acts as director of municipal activity, and has under him a staff of departmental secretaries, whose work includes the supervision of the registration of houses, taxation, keeping of records, etc. The chief divisions of municipal work undertaken by the nrunicipal department in the Ministry of Interior are roads and buildings, drainage and surveying; while the police, in addition to their ordinary duties, make themselves responsible for street lighting, public health, registration of births and deaths, fire brigade, and markets. Hitherto, the police have also exercised jurisdiction over certain hospitals, but now the Ministry of Interior has built one insolation hospital, and it is not improbable that in the course of time some authority will be cons- tituted to take over this particular work.

Drainage is receiving considerable attention at present and big works are in progress. Not only are the main drains being put in order, but new ones are being constructed, and, when funds permit, Peking will be as well served in this respect as any modern city. The creeks which encircle the city are being drained, and at Chien Men the river will be built over by extending the railway station, thus removing that which is an eyesore to many.

Since the revolution many changes which would have been unthinkable under the Manchu régime have taken place. A number of gates have been opened, thus facilitat- ing traffic, while the old Ch'ienmen gate has been demolished, the curtain, however, being preserved in order to permit of road improvements. The reconstructed gateway has been completed, and the open space on the north side adds to its impressive effect A beautiful enclosure within the Forbidden City known as the Central Park has also been opened, and residents congregate there in theirhundreds and thousands during the summer months. A curio museum containing the Imperial treasures from Jehol and Mukden has been inaugurated within the Forbidden City and is proving a very popular attraction. In addition, the three Palaces-Taihodien, Chunghodien, and Paohuadien-are being repaired, while the Tung Hua Men gate, which was destroyed during the revolution of 1911, has been reconstructed. Moreover, a National Library is being erected within the Forbidden City.

In order to link up the various termini, a circular railway has been constructed "This involved the demolition of the curtains of most of the gateways, a proceeding