Evening journal., 1894-08-11
china Has Been Preparing for war.


China has been for years making prep.
arations for war with japan and in
stead Of being forced into 70 she has only
been met little more promptly by the
Japanese than was anticipated and as a
oonseq uenoe talyeu at a disadvantage
According to report received at the State
Department from Consul Jacob Childs, at
Hankow. China begao TO prepare for war
as far back as 1891 In that document
the consul calls attention to the fact that
vast rolling mills and srsenals are ap-
prosching completion in Hanyan, oppo-
site TO Hankow. Consul Childs says
zone Of the marvels Of this marvellous
country Is the vast rolling mills and ar
senals now approaching completion in
Hsnysn, erected under the auspices Of
Chang Laz Tung, Vieeroy Of Huph and
Human. The plant covers about seventy
acres with railroad one and half miles
length, from the Ysngtze river to the in
works and thence to the Han river, with
an incline from the top OF the Yangtzs
bank to the water, where powerful ma
chinery is located TO draw the cars up a
steep incline Of about three hundred
feet to the level.
This immense plant was designed by
an English engineer and in it's fitting up
nothing but the most modern and inn
proved machinery has been imported.
mainly from England. The buildings
are, unfortunately. located ia a valley
liable to overflow and their foundations
have been raised fifteen feet, consisting
OF bed of concrete made Of brick. stone
and Portland cement, covered with q
layer Of earth, the whole Of which was
carried Ia baskets by ooolies-the labor
Of thousands OF men,
There are four hot air furnaces, two
large steam hammers and immoasurablC
rollers, with all the appendages for man
ulseturing railroad iron Large quanti
tion Of Chinese iron are now in the yard,
with some English iron for blending
purposes, and coke is being imported from
Wales to be used temporarily in the con
stanoiion Of rails as soon ss the ma
ohinery eau be put in operation AZ
test Of what the foundry car
do. The sheds, covered with cor
rugated roodngs cover an area OF
twenty acres. The smelters are Of th,
most improved patterns, and a large fur
nsoe is nearly completed for the manu-
facture Of Bessemer steel. The moulding
and pattern shops are as complete as they
can be, and large elevators are placed II
various buildings for hoistlug material
In fact, II ever finished. 10 will be one o
the most complete rolling mills in th
world, as expense seems TO have been
secondary consideration in the erection o
this Immense establishment.
Once in operation, IL is the intention
ofthe Viceroy to manufacture every
thing In the iron line ordnance rail
maehiuery, small arms, etc The ar
senals are about complete and machiner
will soon be set up for the manufacture
of arms and ammunition A number O
skilled workmen are now en- route for Oh
purpose Of instrueting the nativ
artisans and Of arranging everything 4
working order. This plant is certainly
new departure on the part Of China an
shows her determination TO hold he
own against any foreign enoroschmentl
With modern war appliances and he
immense population China may yet bi
defiance to the world, If she does u,
succumb to internal dissensi ons.
rhn Alahnrnn olnntinn h. . hon. M