Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-01
.agr0Y RAILROAD IN CGINA,
Ii Hung Chang Exhibits Working
Model at Court.

speojal to the Herald say Mr.. Charles
DENLY, United States Mi = ter to China,
has sent some interesting dispatches to
Mr.. Bayard, which deal with two ques-
lions OF vital import TO the development
aud safety OF the empire. The first is the
construction of a ran Dad, which Ii Hung
Chang Is urging with all the VigOr Of mis-
great Intellect. The other Is the building
OF a navy to replace the useless junks
which at present fly the imperial flag, and
to organize a system Of coast defense ade-
Quate to protect the harbOr and shores Of
the country. Mr.. DENLY says;
have the honor to state, as matter Of
interest to greatmany persons in the
United States and rs part of the current
history of China, the position of tnat en-
pire as to the construction OF railroads.
The most prominent man in China to-day
il Ii Hung Chang, who is Grand Secre-
tary of the empire, NicerOY Of the prov
ince and eaS a. the heads of the Admiralty
Board. His residence is at Tlentsin, but
he lately spent some weeks at Pekin. /
had the pleasure OF meeting him on sew
eral occasions. He seems to have great
respect for foreigners. He has for some
years been in favor of building railroads.
he has had hard fight in China to have
his views approved. The opposition
comes chiefly from the censors and the
sent that numbers of men would be
thrown out OF employment, graves would
be desecrated and internal trouble would
ensus.
The Board Of Revenue claims that il
railroads are built the whole revenue SER
vice OF China would have to be- changed.
II seems likely, in effect, that the PekIn
tax, which IS one Of the chief sources of
revenue to China, would have to be aban-
doned or materially modified. This is a
cosummatiOn that the foreigners most ar
IDENTIFY desire. The Niceroys generally
oppose railroads, because they tend to
Capitalization OF power and thereby di-
minish their own influence; but LII Hung
Chang. through all the changes of men
and measures, has maintained his power,
and there seems every reason to believe
that he will succeed in his plan OF con-
structing railroads.
I send To the department the dying
memorial of TsO rsung Tang, which con.
tains an able presentation OF the argu-
ment in favor OF constructing railroads in
China. BY way OF parenthesis | will
state that a dying official always leaves a
posthumOus memorial to the government
1t also happens often that after he is dead
some distinguished honorary Office is con-
ferred upon him by imperial decree.
This memorial of TsO Tsung Tang was
preceded by very few days visit Of Lii
him tne opportunity TO press his rail-
way views. II was considered, certainly
with reason, that the best mode of invit-
ing the attention OF members of the gov
eminent to the merits of railroads would
be To exhibit working model Of an
American roadway and the rolling stock
The Chinese are an eminently practical
people and without much scientific
knowledge. Therefore, an actual ocular
demonstration of the thing proposed Is
the surest and easiest mode Of carrying
conviction to their minds.
Acting upoG this popularity a complete
working model railroad was procured
from the United States. 1t consisted of
100 feet OF main track and sidings, with
motive and tender, mail aud baggage
cars. passenger cars, Pullman parlOr and
sleeping cars, different kinds of freight
cars. and a full section of seats and
herths in sleeping cars. The cars were
i've feet long, and all other parts of the
model were in equal proportion, and care
had been taken to make the model
throughout an exact representation In
miniature Of the road. locomotive, cars,
ste., IN actual use in the United States,
complete in its smallest details. The
motive power was clOckwork.
This model was exhibited to Vieery Ii
Hung Chang IN his Yamen at Tien-Tain in
much pleased with il, and said he wOnld
exhibit in Pekin when he went there In
October. On Oct. 1G the model which had
been conveyed TO Pekin, was exhibited
before the Viceroy by his order, and on the
following day the Viceroy presented il 70
Prince Chum, the EmperOr's father. Sew
pral native mechanics who were able TO
work the model went with It 20 the
Princes palace and worked il success
fully IN the pleasure grounds OF the pal
ace. The Prince was highly pleased and
thanked the Viceroy heartily. Two days
later the Prince sent the model TO the I'm
perial Palace. where It was exhibited 20
Emperor and Empress DOwager and
worked successfully. Their Maiesties
were much interested aud amused, and
spent some time in a minute examination
NJ the model.
II was the first and most complete rep.
FASCINATION they haa ever seen Of the
much-talked-0f railroad, and IL enabled
them and the Prince TO realize many OF
the benefits that this modern institution
would confer on China. 10 is Understood
that the event materially assisted the
NicerOy 10 bis advocacy OF railroads for
China, and their Majestles lent a willing
ear TO all be mad to say IN favor Of rail-
roads, and agreed TO allow him TO prepare
for their Introduction into the country.
The memorial itself 10 very interesting
reading. IL shows how strongly the
spirit Of progress is establishing itself
among the enlightened Chinese. Vicaroy
ESQ f0Tmulates seven propositions. 10
which be invites the imperial attention
He suggests the manufacture Of guns and
munitions Of war. tue formation OF a mod
nrn navy, a complete system Of railroads.
the establishment OF military and naVal
colleges, and other reforms which the
empire much needs.
ia conclusion, Mr.. DENLY says; "China
has not been standing still. Factories ~
glass, wooden goods, paper, equipped II
fine shape. which are scattered over tho
country. owned by Chinese subjects, ar,
proofs ~ her enterprise, and now II TIE
gOverptU no takes the question earnestly
In hand iao may LOOK for the adoption il
China 81 many Of our appliances ant
modern manufacture. That some OF The
above mentioned enterprises have beer
unsuccessful proves nothing, for the Chi
nCse know that the fault lies within them
selves. New ventures IN the came lin'
are sure 30 follow, and when success shall
crown any Of their efforts the whole pro
Grossiye movement will receive an impe.
iu5 which VIII insure permanent ostab
lishmeut Ia The country"