The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-10-11
cHINA'S CAPITAL "A QUEER AND
DIRTY PLACE.
Just New YOrNs Si1e-SOme Parts
Are Forbidden to FOrefgners-A
Trade to IL Street-PrOcessions Ev-
cry Hour. ....

The threatened advance of the vic
torious Japanese army on the very cap
ital of China invites attention to that
historic city, says the New York Jour
nal. ~
I'ekin, the northern capital, has held
its supremacy as seat of government
almost continuously since the year 1912,
when by capture it became the head
quarters of the Liaus. Succeeding dy-
nasties ruled from them until the over
throw of the Mongols by the Manchus
in the thirteenth century, when the lat
ter selected Marking, 4 city on the
great ang-tse-Kiang, as a more suita-
BILE site for the premier city Of the en-
pire. EARLY in the fourteenth century,
however, the restoration of Pekin was
undertaken, and in Il few years it again
became the center Of government and
recognized emporium Of Northern Chi
ma. ....-
The city stands on sandy plain
twelve miles from the Peiho river,
and no from the sea. and in Asiatic
warfare would be impregnable. The
Walls, which arc of considerable thick
ness, are built of earth and brick and
are supposed to be we'll manned. The
''SSSAoAAS'
forming, as it were, two entirely differ
eTt towns. The northerly division is
occupied almost exclusively by Tatars
and is called the Tartar City. The 9TH
err is reserved for the Chinese To q
stranger these distinctions seem more
sentimental than real, but they exist
all the same. ....
The two main divisions are again
Subdivided into numerous smaller ones,
each having a distinctive appell1tion
indicating its particular purpose. The
population is estimated to be 100000
and the circuit Of the city walls about
twenty English miles. .s..
The Immediate surrounding country
Is mOnOtOnOusly level and unintercstng,
and from the fact of the town having
been built on sandy wastes it follows
that every passing breeze carries with
it clouds of dust which not infrequent-
" envelop the entire capital.
Walking Impossible When 1t Rains.
In wet weather the narrow streets
become quaglnires, owing to the accu-
mutation Of dust, and il not impassa-
bic are at least too forbidding for 4
foreign pedestrian to attempt them
And as a matter Of fact little or no
walking is INDUCED in by foreign resi-
dents; the sedan chair, as in other parts
of the country, being the recognized
means Of locomotion.
There are many picturesque mosques
and palaces to be seen, but much Of
their natural effect is lost owing to
the dirt and dingynass of their sur
roundings. The city is noted for it's
filth and fetid smells, which in the
summer months pervade every hole and
corner; while in the outlying suburbs
matters are much worse These are
of considerable extent and consist prin-
cipally Of an agricultural population
which, of course, supplies the teenling
cities with fruits and vegetables Of
every description.
The lands are everywhere irrigated
and by this means heavy crops of
maize, millet, cotton, wheat, ya1ns,
sweet potatoes, peanuts, etc.. are grown
from what was once a sterile and bar
rem plain. Trees are also largely cul-
tivated and grow with great rapidity.
The greater part Of the food supply,
however, come from the southern prov
inces. There are no local manufac-
lures to speak of, for foreign enterprise
has not yet been allowed to pollute the
sacred atmosphere.
Adnnfttance to most Of the historic