Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 668

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CHINA-PEKING

Important political changes also took place in the North during the year, the Chihli forces, under Chang Tso-lin, marching on Peking and, after some fighting, putting to flight the leaders of the Anfu party who were directing the Government. This step was followed by the reconstruction of the Cabinet.

During 1918 a Bolshevik threat emanated from Siberia, but it was met by Allied intervention. Japan furnished a considerable proportion of the troops and found it necessary to take military measures in Manchuria which were not altogether pleasing to China.

China unsuccessfully appealed to the Paris Conference in 1919 to restore to her Kiaochow and Germany's other rights in Shantung, claimed by Japan under the Sino-Japanese Treaty of 1915. By way of protest, the Chinese delegates refused to sign the Peace Treaty with Germany, and a boycott of Japanese goods was organised by the students in China.

A very serious famine, involving some thirty million people in suffering, occurred in the North-principally in the provinces of Honan, Shantung, and Chihli-in 1920 owing to drought and the consequent failure of the crops. For the relief of the distress thus caused, a surtax of ten per cent. on Customs Import duties was agreed to by the Powers for the period of twelve months and this will take effect in 1921.

PEKING

Shun-tien

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The present capital of China was formerly the Northern capital only, as its name denotes, but it has long been really the metropolis of the Central Kingdom. Peking is situated on a sandy plain 13 miles S. W. of the Pei-ho river, and about 110 miles from its mouth, in latitude 39 deg. 54 min. N. and longitude 116 deg. 27 min. E., or nearly on the parallel of Naples. A canal connects the city with the Pei-ho. Peking is ill- adapted by situation to be the capital of a vast Empire, nor is it in a position to become a great manufacturing or industrial centre. The products of all parts of China naturally find their way to the seat of Government, but it gives little save bullion in

return.

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From Dr. Dennys' description of Peking we quote the following brief historical sketch: "The city formerly existing on the site of the southern portion of Peking was the capital of the Kingdom of Yan. About 222 B.C., this kingdom was over- thrown by the Chin dynasty and the seat of Government was removed elsewhere Taken from the Chins by the Khaitans about 936 A.D., it was some two years after- wards made the southern capital of that people. The Kin dynasty, subduing the Khaitans, in their turn took possession of the capital, calling it the 'Western Residence.' About A.D. 1151, the fourth sovereign of the Kins transferred the Court thither, and named it the Central Residence. In 1215, it was captured by Genghis Khan. In 1264 Kublai Khan fixed his residence there, giving it the title of Chung-tu or Central Residence, the people at large generally calling it Shun t'ien-fu. In 1267 A.D., the city was transferred 3 li (one mile) to the North of its then site, and it was then called Ta-tu- the 'Great Residence.' The old portion became what is now known as the 'Chinese city,' and the terms Northern' and 'Southern' city, or more commonly nei-cheng (within the wall) and wai-cheng (without the wall), came into use. The native Emperors who succeeded the Mongol dynasty did not, however, continue to make Peking the seat of Government. The Court was shortly afterwards removed to Nanking, which was considered the chief city of the Empire until, in 1421, Yung Lo, the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, again held his Court at Peking, since which date it has remained the capital of China.'

The present city of Peking is divided into two portions, the Northern or Tartar city and the Southern or Chinese. The former has been encroached upon by the Chinese, and the purely Manchu section of the capital is very limited indeed. The southern city is exclusively occupied by Chinese. The general shape of