Directory_and_Chronicle_1935 — Page 763

NANKING

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elevation varying from 40 to 90 feet, are from 20 to 40 feet in thickness, and 22 mile in circumference. They enclose a vast area, a large part of which still remains undeve- loped and includes some pretty hilly country. The busiest portion lies towards the south and west, and is several miles from the banks of the river. Whatever of architectural beauty or importance belonged to Nanking perished or was reduced to a ruinous condition at or before its occupation by the Taiping rebels. The world famous Porcelain Tower, the most beautiful pagoda in China, was completely destroyed during this period of its history, and now nothing remains of the structure....... that was once the glory of Nanking. It stood outside the walls on the south side of the city. The celebrated mausoleum of the Emperor Hung Wu, founder of the Ming dynasty (who died in 1398), with other tombs and monuments, known as the Ming Tombs, is just outside the eastern walls. There are many other interesting ruins in or near the city, including the remains of Hung Wu's Palace. Nanking was first brought. into notice among Europeans in 1842, in which year the first British Treaty with China was signed here. During the Taiping rebellion no place suffered more. It was first taken by assault by the Taipings on the 19th March, 1853, and after sustaining a prolonged siege was recaptured by the Imperial forces on the 19th July, 1864, a fatal blow to the rebels. Although Nanking has recovered to a small extent from the. prostration which attended its ill-treatment during the Taiping rebellion, it has never yet attained any commercial importance, but botli coal and iron mines are known to exist in the neighbourhood and must eventually be worked, in which case Nanking. will probably become a great manufacturing centre.

The Naval College, a large pile of buildings, was opened in 1890. It was closed during the Revolution, but has since been re-opened. Later, it was again closed and the buildings now form the admiralty. The Nanking (Ginleng) 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 roll of 500 scholars. There is also a women's College. 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 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. A noticeable improvement to communication between the centre of the city and Hsiakwan was the construction of the Chungshan highway, the opening of which in 1929 greatly facilitated traffic and has given an impetus to motor transportation. Many new roads are planned inside the City, where since it became the Capital. Many fine buildings have been erected, or are in course of erection: notably the ministries of Railways, Communications, Justice, and a new Foreign office. Outside the City, Motor roads now join the Capital both with Hangchow & Wuliu.

British and American Consulates were opened in 1900, and since then a Japanese and French Consulates have also been established. Most of the Legations also have established sub-Legations here.

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Nanking was the scene of much fighting in the revolutionary compaign 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 ne 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 was under a severe bombardment. All of Hsia-kuan was burnt, and Nanking was looted. The city was made the seat of government by the Nationalists in 1927. The great event of 1929 was the burial of Dr. Sun Yat Sen in a magnificent mausoleum, specially con- structed for the body of the great leader on a slope of the Purple Mountain. In 1931 the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park was developed by the construction of sports grounds, a stadium and a swimming pool.

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