Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-01-28
THE CHINESE WALL IS TO BE TORN DOWN.
The Famous Old Landmark is Falling Away.

Relic of twenty centuries, extend
ing as far back for its origin as the
traditions and superstitions that have
kept China from progressing to its
rightful place among the nations, the
Chinese wall is said to be doomed.
This marvellous barrier, extending
more than 1900 miles over noun
tain and valley, faces destruction. 1t
is said that under the rule of the new
regent, Prince Chun, progressiveness
will be carried to point where not
only will the old order of government
see its downfall, but all that physical
ly recalls the past will also be de-
stroyed.
Tradition is the yoke that binds
China. 1t Is the obstacle that has
kept that country of marvellous re-
sources back. Prince Chun knows
this, and it is said that in his desire
to effect reform he will not content
himself with merely establishing new
methods in his systems Of govern
ment, but will actually wipe out the
physical relics which keep the face
of China turned to the past rather
than to the future.
OF all these survivals, the Chinese
wall is the most famous and the most
wonderful.
The countries of power in the
world to-day were unknown when
this structure was built to keep out
the invader.
In cataloguing the wonders of the
world it has never been possible to
make classification that omitted the
when Christ came to earth; but even
then it was not the work of young
nation, for China has a history that
can be traced back for 5000 years.
The project for tearing down the
Chinese wall originated some years
ago, and 1t is said that the late En-
press and her son, whose deaths COM
ing so close together few weeks
ago SO suddenly changed the whole
aspect of the future for China, had
SOhoShtSu w upoiioh lhS "oiib oAN
had even signed the contracts for It's
removal when superstitious fear
seized them and the order was re-
voked.
Descended as they both were of
the Tsin dynasty that built the WALL
and having that worship of ancestry
that is deeply ingrained in the beliefs
of the Monaghan. they feared at the
last moment to commit this sacrilege
on the master work of the dead.
But Prince Chun, who as regent for
the two-year-old baby Emperor is
possessed of full authority, has no
such scruples. He Is not the offspring
of emperors, and there is nothing to
hold him in check. He Is known to
have strongly advanced ideas and to
be especially Independent and scorn-
full where the old ideas of the past
are concerned. Therefore it is prob
able that he will carry the work Of
demolition to finish.
The interest in whether he does so
goes further than the mere question
of the wall. 1t has to do indirectly
with the future Of the immense
hordes who people the country. The
wall is the symbol of the ancient that
holds the country in check. If it be
brought down the modernists will
take it as sign that the new ruler
will during his stay as regent enforce
the new ideals. II, In spite of his
impulses, he is wont to let the great
wall stay, China will settle back laz-
lily and comfortably and decide that
nothing radical will occur under the
present regime.
This Is the situation that now gives
such an extraordinary interest to the
old line of fortifications.
Modern artillery would speedily re-
duce the last vestige of the ancient
barrier, but it was not built to with
stand this kind of attack, and in the
days when it reared its head over the
landscape it was an impossible
stronghold.
The visitor who gazes at this stu
pendous construction is made to feel
very modest as to the skill of the
modern engineer. Experts Of all ma
tions have named it the most as
founding piece of work ever per-
formed by man. Even over the pyra-
mids and the Sphinx 1t is given the
credit.
In imagination the spectator is
moved back twenty centuries to the
time that Shi-Hoang-ti, the greatest
of Chinese heroes, reigned.
China then led the world in wealth
and in culture. The nation had a