Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1908-10-01
FOREIGNERS IN
SHANGHAI, CHINA
HOW ENTRANCE TO THE CE.
LESTIAL KINGDOM HAS
BEEN SLOWLY AC-
CURED.

elSn commerce IN emma Is Shanghai.
The story Of Shanghai compasses more
than eighteen centuries. Two humid
red and forty-nine years before
Christ birth there is authentic record
of its being. In the eleventh century,
when the earth was universally believ-
ed to be fat and the sun to travel
around it, when from the western
viewpoint, the limits of the world
were the boundaries of continental Eu-
rope, and America land undreamed
of, Shanghai was a custom station and
a recognized place of trade in the far
East There is food for reflection in
the thought-centurie have come and
gone; nations have lived and died;
Time ocean Of oblivion has rolled ov-
er countless millions of men and wom-
en-, but this city, in the golden king
dom of China, kingdom of mighty
and wonderful memories going back to
the dim dawn of human things, has
steadily grown and prospered and is
to-day the most important centre OF
foreign commerce in China. The fact
ors mainly instrumental in bringing
about this result were two in number.
First, its geographical position,
which made it the natural entrepot for
the commerce of northern, southern
and central China; and, second, be-
cause the city is situated in vast cot
ton industrial district which for cen
turtles has furnished the Chinese EN-
pire and foreign countries with guam
titles of cotton of every kind. This
staple was first introduced into China
in the Bird Century before Christ, and
so expert did the Chinese become in its
manufacture, that their output was Of
ten mistaken for the finest serge. In
1913, by virtue of the terms of the
treaty Of Marking, the ports of Shang-
hal, Ningpo, Foochow, Annoy, and
Swallow were opened to foreign trade.
Capt Balfour, of the Madras Artillery,
afterwards for many years Member of
Parliaments for Kincardineshire, was
appointed British Consul at Shanghai.
His first duty was to have the limits
of the British settlement defined. He
claimed as boundaries, Zines Of
country creek and river, which
might, if necessary, be easily defensi
BILE, namely, on the east the river
on the south the Yang King Pane
creek; on the north the present Picking
Road, and on the west what is now
known as Foreign Road Afterwards
the boundaries were extended further
west. Great difficulty was experience
ed in purchasing land from individual
owners, they being loath to sell to for
eigners, and as all land in China theo
retically belongs to the Emperor, this
difficulty had to be overcome 1t was
finally surmounted by the Faotai is
suing little deeds which were leases in
perpetuity. 1t is difficult, as one view,
the magnificent buildings and spen.
didly paved and lighted streets, OF
which the people of the city of today
are so justly proud, to conceive the
hardships undergone by those who un
dertook and successfully accomplished
the reclamation of the site upon which
the city stands. At that time it was 2
marsh, intersected by creeks ant
bitches. With much labor and time
the spot was drained, and the creek:
and bitches filed up. Not only die
these pioneers have to contend against
natural obstacles, cold, snow and rain,
but as well with the patent and invet.
crate hostility of the native people
Truly. peace hath her victories NJ
less renowned than war.
In 184S the French consulate wa,
opened In to49 Luh, the military
Inteudant of Soochow, Sungkiang ant
Taising, issued proclamation il
which he constituted what is know
as the French Concession of Shanghai.
This proclamation stated that he had
received a communication from M. de
Montigny, the French Consul, inform
ing him that Kiying, the Imperia
Commissioner and Governor Genera
of the two Kuang and Lagrene Imper
ial Commissioners had, after due de-
liberation, agreed that all Frenchmer
coming to reside at the five open ports
should be permitted to rent houses and
factories and also grounds upon which
they could build houses, churches, hos.
pitfalls, aims houses, colleges and set
apart cemeteries, This had been re-
ported TO the Emperor, who has been
pleased TO confirm these privileges by
edict. 1t was tnen that the Intendant
met NJ. de Moutigny and the site for a
concession, or settlement, was agreed
upon. It was to be between the city
and the Yang King Pan, bounded on
the west by the temple Of the God OF
War and the Canton Assembly rooms,
and from Quen-he to the east of the
Yang King Psng II was also stated
that il this ground should be found in
sufficient further elaboration might
ba held 10 provide for such exigencies
rs might arise from time TO time.
The United States Consul. Mr.. Girls
void. streuuously protested against it,
hut without avail II Is not on record
that the United States ever received