Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-09-20

Ola residents generally pass
by Nnn.tung Chow, a city on
the Yangtse river which has
not been open to foreign business as n
treaty port, writes Frederick r. Sites
In Asia Consequently comparatively
few people are aware that COM
munity which may exert a powerful in
iiuence on the whole of China as a
practical example of modern achieve
ment Is there to be f0und--a commu-
nifty that has taken great strides in de-
veloping education, social institutions,
public works, manufacturing enter
pises and agriculture, ranging from
the kindergarten TO college and from
good roads to land reclamation.
Features commonplace enough in
occidental life appear as marvels when
found In this purely oriental setting.
All the changes have been wrought so
quietly and entirely under Chinese
leadership that even one Of the most
alert American educators In China
heard of them with surprise and keen
interest. This quietness of action is
typical of the inodesty of the man of
classic letters, his excellency, Chang
CHEN, whose enterprise and wise lead.
ership have been the handspring of
this new life. The positiveness of his
Integrity, benevolent public spirit and
unselilsh progressive leadership make
him stand out In the whole of China.
Nan-tung Chow lies upon the north
shore Of the Yangtse river about l00
miles from Shanghai. Recently an
opportunity presented itself for max.
Ing pilgrimage to this Mecca of
Chinese progress.
Evidences of Il new China were al
once visible. A carriage was brought
up from the steamer landing by way OF
wide, well.gradcd roads. lined with
young trees, and built on top of bikes
constructed us IA protection against
the langtse river floods. Here and
elsewhere throughout this district the
banks of the canal are protected with
neat stone "bunding" or with solid
retaining walls. These well-built and
well-maintnned roads and canals, with
occasional neat police stations and
clean settlements, unusual In China,
were She first indication of a guiding
hand and the new spirit which has
been working among the people.
Chang Chien's Scheme.
Our Observation-Disclosures host
outlined the scheme of industrial de-
velopment of Nan-tung Chow, which is
centered In six land development com.
panies. II is In this industrial pio-
neering that Mr. Chang takes keenest
interest. The first of the companies
he started about 10 years ago. Capital
was subscribed literally by his ac.
quaintances and other investors who
had implicit confidence in his integrity.
A tract Of about 10000 NOW Tor 90
900 acres) of wild land-salt marshes
along the seashore-was diked to keep
out the ocean storms, and dtched TO
drain off the salt water. Much of the
land was then brought under cultiva-
ton, and the rest used for producing
salt by the evaporation of sea water.
our host exhibited special pride in
this enterprise, because success was
won in the face of extreme difficulties.
Government aid could not be secured.
The project instead met obstruction.
1t was fight against the government !;
nevertheless Mr.. Chang carried through
his plans. His weapon was his pen
and his pen was backed by right. But
the project had also to contend with
nature; for when the company was
only four years old great typhoon
played havoc with the bikes, and the
company was nearly bankrupt. From
this lesson of experience, however,
and by dint of perseverance, the dikes
were rebuilt according to stronger
plan, the losses were retrieved and
the company was again placed on a
basis of success.
After IL years second land COM
pany was started. During the last five
years four additional companies of the
same sort have been launched. These
six companies are now engaged In re.