The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-08-30

southern and eastern portions, kwangsi
and Human; the whole OF Kwantung,
Fokien, Chekiang and Kiangsi, and the
southernmost parts OF N%ganhwui. The
highlands touch the coast every where
south OF Hangchow bay. Throughout
this area OF more than BOZ, 700 square
miles there Is no table land, no extensive
plain, and no mountain chain c%onspicu-
Gus by reason OF altitude or continuity.
The mountains have n trend which cor
responds with the general direction OF the
coast. The range are short and irreg-
ular, and permit the streams to break
through and reach the coast. These hum
drcds OF streams are the highways OF this
part vi China None but the West river,
which debouches near Canton, is fit for
steam navigation for any great distance.
In nearly all. even near the coast. exist
dangerous rocks and shadows which
render necessary the transhiplncnt OF
produce and merchandise in transit. But
the Chinese, with characteristic patience
and lack of public spirit apparently
equally characteristic, continue to use
these streams, making no efforts to inn
prove them. They are the only traffic
courses, and the foot paths along which
coolies carry burdens,
2. In striking contrast to this broken
region is the level district which stretches
away from llang-chow bay to the noun
tains OF Liaotung. This district known
as the great plain, has for its northern
boundary, beginning at the gulf OF Lao
tung, the great wall.
3. West Of the great plain is a second
broker region, which may be styled the
mineral region of China. 1t lies south OF
inner Mongolia, and comprises the PROV
inces OF Shansi and Shensi, the north
part OF Human, and east of Kansuh.
1. South Of the mineral region is
the lake district or Central China. 1t
embraces the whole OF Hupeh, and
part OF Honan and Human. 1t is crossed
by the Iangtse, and its northern part
is drained by the Han and it's a~ttluents.
Lakes form so prominent a feature OF
this region that the name Hu-kwang,
meaning broad lakes, is applied to the
provinces VI Human and llupeh.
3. Szechuen is a province OF such
extent, population, and wealth that it
may be considered a NTH natural division
OF the empire. it is a great inland dis
trict, bounded 10y mountain, but in
the main m ir u oi plains and gently
upouI ,u. ...d,. It, population in 1850
Was ~,l auNu .s l,uty millions and rs
it has escaped the deyastations OF civil
war 1t Is much greater now. 1t is sup
piled by its own productions with the
u~cccssaric- and even the luxuric, de-
manded by the population. Its articles
oil export are OF a nature 10 admit ui
easy transportation. Few regions OF
earth are 50 favored as this.
q. The southwestern provinces are
Yunan and Kweichow. They are gem
orally rough and mountainous, but in
Eunan there are some extensive table
lands and some low lying plains marked
b.. lakes. This region is lar more tropi-
cal in the nature ui its climate and
productions than the district east OF it.
The Chinese consider it unhealthy. They
have lone less here thar elsewhere in
China proper to subject the soil to tillage,
and in consequence OF this fact, and
OF the disturbed condition OF the region
owing to Mohammedan and other
troubles, it is now in great part m
abandoned jungle.
The mountains OF China hem in hel
territory on the north. In the east they
separate the great plains from the ele'
waited lands of Mantshooria and Mongo.
liza. Two great ranges, the continuation.
Of Kuenlun and Himalaya mountains
extend from west to east nearly acros,
the empire in the middle and south.
That portion OF the plain which lies
south OF the Iangtse has innumerable
canals, and is protected along the
YIngtse and other streams and the
scnshore by strong dykes and seawalIs.
In the northern portion the climate is
dry, and the soil does not produce more
than Il fraction OF the yield procured
further south.
The years 1923 were signalized in
this region by very destructive floods
which covered Il vast tract OF territory
between Pekin and Gulph, and further
south. The people having suffered ior
several generations in consequence OF
too great diminution OF rainfall, are now
driven from their homes by an excess
Of water.
The next region Of level country worthy
Of remark is that OF Contra China. The
general features OF this district are the
anne as those OF the great south plain
OF the Gangtse, and it is in these two
districts that the system OF canals is
most extensive and perfect. The plains OF
Szechuen are higher, and may be COM
pared with the rolling praIries OF Iowa.
The level portion OF Kweichow and
Gunnan are like the table lands Gi
Mexico, but far less extensive. The
country near the west, north and east
rivers, and the seacoast in Kwangtung,
is one OF the most fertile portions OF
the empire. \ great deal OF level alluvial
land is here found, and as the popu-
latiOn is dense and industrious, the
natural resources of the soil are improved
to the utmost.
The rivers pi China are worthy Of the
extent Of the empire. OF these tho
Eaugtse and the Hoang or Yellow are
the chief, and rank among the leading
NV W Wv SAp''s " ! llEAN', W mere
it traverses the great plain, is a broad
evenly flowing stream, admirably fitted
Tor navigation even ior large steam
or sailing vessels. Beyond the plain il
i enters a broker country, then the low
region OF Central China, beyond which
l steamers have penetrated to the foot
of the gorges near Ichang, 1900 miles
from the sea. The rapids and shadows
occupy a distance OF forty miles, above
them the river is navigable for small
craft, for 200 miles. This great river does
not compare with the Mississippi or
Missouri.
The principal lake in China is the
Tungting in Human, which is about 200
miles in circumference. There are many
smaller lakes connecting with it. This
is the system Of lakes which has been