Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 757

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

NANKING

753

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 the 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.

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. In December, 1923, a large quadrangle of the National South-Eastern University was destroyed by fire, the damage being estimated at 300,000. The library, containing 3,000 English and 30,000 Chinese books, was almost a total loss. The Arsenal and Powder Mills, for many years in the charge of foreigners, are now entrusted to native direction. They are situated just outside the South Gaté. A macadamized road has been built from the steamer landing clear through the city to the Tung-Tsi Gate in the south wall, a dis- tance 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 possible to go "almost anywhere" in carri- ages. The carriages and jinrickshas which have been introduced are much appreciated by the people.

British and American Consulates were opened in 1900, and since then a Japanese Consulate has also been established. The net value of the trade of the port in 1926 was Hk. Tls. 44,985,542, as compared with Hk. Tls. 38,141,503 in 1925, Hk. Tls. 37,003,682 in 1924, Hk. Tls. 37,178,222 in 1923, and Hk. Tls. 40,993,544 in 1922. 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. A second industrial exhibition was held in October, 1921, containing over 10,000 exhibits classified in 10 departments. The most remarkable exhibits were those displayed in the Agricultural and Forestry Section. It was a graphic demonstration and at the same time an object-lesson to the Chinese visitors of the results that can be obtained when farming and afforestation are conducted on scientific lines. In another section the great variety of well-imitated foreign articles marked the growing desire of the Chinese for the development of modern industrialism in their country. The local authorities, realising the far-reaching educational value of such an institution to both producers and consumers, decided to transform it into a permanent Industrial Museum.

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 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. The city was made the seat of government by the Nationalist in 1927 and still remains the headquarters of a section of the Southern forces in their contant warfare with the North. The population of Nanking and its suburbs is estimated to be over 400,000.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 757

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