Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 640

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-CHINA-PEKING

This arrangement comes into force on January 1st, 1923. All the British Postal Agencies were closed and withdrawn by December 1st, 1922.

These treaties and arrangements, together with the resolutions, will be found in the treaty section of the Directory & Chronicle. As a whole, the Conference gave general satisfaction to China, although the student element was dissatisfied with the cautious policy of the Powers in respect of Extra-territoriality. But it was recognised that at the Conference China gained a new status among the nations which will be her best protection in the future.

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 took effect in 1921. This famine also brought into existence international famine relief committees who initiated constructive schemes for the relief of the sufferers. Much good work in connection with conservancy was done by this 'means. The American Red Cross was also active. Its report dated June 30th, 1921, shewed that under its auspices 985 miles of road had been laid out and 648 miles completed. Most of these organisations maintained their work throughout 1921, when China was visited by floods.

PEKING

天顺

Mi Shun-tien

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 Middle 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.

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 l (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

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,'

C

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

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