The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1919-01-09

-OURISTS IN China and even
old residents generally pass
by Nnn-tune Chow. a city on
the Yangfse river which has
not been open 10 foreign business as a
trenty port. writes Frederick II. Sites
n Asia. Consequently comparatively
few people are aware that a com
nunity which may exert q powerful in
5uence on the whole of China az a
practical example Of modern achieve
nent Is there TO be found-a cOmmu-
pity that has taken great strides IN de-
Feloping education. social institutions.
public works. manufacturing enter
pises and agriculture. ranging from
nie Kindergarten 10 college and from
rood roads 10 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 modesfy Of the man Of
classic letters. his exceilency. Chang
-hi@n. whose enterprise and wise Head
srshlp have been the handspring Of
shls new life. The positiveness Of his
integrity. benevolent public spirit and
5nseliish progressive leadership make
him stand Duf lu the whole 90 China.
San fune Chow lies upon tle north
shore IF fhe Nanetse river about 100
miles from Shanghai. Recently an
opportunity presented itself for max
hg a pilgrimage 10 this Mecca Of
Chinese progress.
Evidences Of a new China were at
Snce visible A carriage was brought
81 from the steamer landing by way Of
vide. well-gradcd roads. lined with
foung trees. and built on top OF dlkes
constructed as a protection against
he Nangtse river floods. Here and
elsewhere throughout this district the
,Gnks Of the canal are protected with
seat stone "bunding" or with solid
retaining walls. These well-huilt and
Eell-mainiained roads and canals. with
occasional neat police stations and
:lean settlements. unusual In China.
we're the first Indication OF a guiding
,een working among the people.
Chang chien's Scheme.
Our farmer-scholar-st host
outlined the scheme OF industrial de-
relOpment Of Nan-tung Chow. which is
sentered IN six land development com
,anies. II s. in this Industrial pio-
iecrlng that Mr.. Chang takes keenest
interest. The first OF the companies
Re started about 10 years ago. Capital
vas subscribed literally 10y his ac-
lualntances and other investors who
nd implicit confidence IN his integrity. !
4 tract Of about 10000 NOW Tor 20
100 acres) OF wild land-salt marshes |
llong the seashOre-wns diked 10 keep |
Iut the ocean storms. and dltched TO
Train Of the salt water. Much OF the 1
and was then brought under cultiva-
Ion. and the rest Isci for producing 1
nlt by the evaporation Of sea water. /
0ur host exhibited special pride In /
his enterprise. because success was
ron In the face Of extreme difficulties. Il
Government aid could not be secured
The project instead met obstruction
I was a fight against the government;
nevertheless Mr.. Chang carried through i
Ms plans. His weapon was his pen
md his pen was backed by right. But
he project had also to contend with
nature: for when the company was
,nIy four years old n great typhoOn
,Iayed havoc with the bikes. and the
.ompany was nearly bankrupt. From
his lesson OF experience, however.
md By dlnt Of perseverance, the dikes
we're rebuilt according 20 a stronger
,Ian. the losses were retrieved and
ne company was again placed on a
,asls of success
After II years a second land com
,any was started During the last five
,ears four additional companies Of the
ume sort have been launched These
DIX companies are now engaged In re
aairnIng and cultivating a total OF
1000 600 NOW (about 1y3o0Oo acres)
n land. Mr. Chang estimates that
hese enterprises will provide work
md subsistence for 100000 Chinese
antilles, who are purchasing small
hrms or renting them on shares That
he various companies were not
aunched until the first one had proven
tself successful is evidence OF the
aufion Of this wise developer. The I
zen who are now managing the more
ecently established companies nnd
heir training In the original one
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