The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-10-14

prepared by the National Geographic s,
ciety. Washington. D. CO.
A THOUSAND miles westwar
II from the coast Of China tn
Yangtze river, which in Chi
nese means "The Child O
the Ocean," In its passage through
the outer rim of central Asia's noun
tain system has carved, in surpassin.
beauty and majestic grandeur, the five
gorges OF the upper Yangtze, rightly
called the gateways 10 West China
They stretch from Ichang, until re
Gently the head of steam navigation,
TO kweichow, distance of 125 miles,
Inc traveller Is prompted to call
mats ofr!' as he sails between these
massive walls, crowned with cathedral
domes that companion with the clouds
and his admiration is mingled with
awe OF the river, with its succession
OF rapids and treacherous whirlpools
mat take heavy toll of life and mer-
cnandise from those who enter. fins
creating the tradition that only the
nardy and the favored of the gods pass
through.
such Is the entrance to the country
which the first western traveller Mar
co Polo, who visited that region in the
thirteenth century, described as Gull
tivated garden with great cities. and
a recent visitor calls "Sze-chuan the
Beautiful, the richest and most popu-i
lous and altogether the most pictur-
esque part of China"
For many centuries and until yes
terday, the Journey from Ichang to
Chung-k1ng, distance of 500 miles,
required fully month and sometimes
TWO. 1t was made by native Junk
pulled along after the manner of the
canal boat, but. instead
OF the tow-path mule, by crew of 20
TO 6o men tugging at the shore end of
bamboo hawser sometimes fully one4 {
lalf mile in length. 81 {
Today dynamite is blasting safer c
curse, and 14-knot steamers make the c
Quincy In 40 steaming hours. The t
evils OF the waters, as these riverment
VII believe, have won their Victories II
lso, for large German commerciaf S,
teamer lies buried In 100 feet of wa. n
sr at the, entrance to one of the Ii
orges NJ
Railway to Be Built. OF
tomorrow 1t will be the railway. for al
Is now known that Sze-chuan holds 81
golden store for the first road tbat "
tiers It, The French have long
AIMED to extend their Tongking-Yunl tel
IN line northwest to Ching-king and or
leng-tu, which will connect the prov- tn
&c with the railway systems of north sic
'st China and Manchuria; and tba no
ir-nation Hu-Kwang agreement, in
llch America has share, calls for a
e from Hankow to Cheng-tu. ~
company of American engineers 49,,
completed the survey of this last ~ ~.
nsd line and start has been made ~.
its construction. When this 10 'ne
npleted it will be supper in Ichanp a. a.,
aK1ast In Chung-king and tiffin in ,na s.
,ng-tu. ing'
lme which In the West Ia horn =,
wings and flies, but In China s''
Ids footless content to crawl u4,i ,i'c'
saved, and the Sze-chuan, Alps will 80. .,S .
with those of Europe as the mecca 'iiie
travellers But with the gain will aie
e the loss of the most extraordi. 'eie
Z journey In the world, for the III
It of the Orient DEPARTS whom ths inigl
motive enters. the
me VIII be that growing sense Of cove
grandeur and majesty OF Cod. ethn
llon, which is experienced as ono are
IS slowly through these gorges r. IN tt
climax In the Woosang rorga ence
e ID peaks rise ono above and
feet into the clouds. we c
longer will there be the thrill, ., Tn
er overcome, and one Will NOT cen
the weird antiphonal songs Of the there
nen as they ply the oar or swing lions
the snore, nor join In their whls- king,
'rayer as they call to the spirit pende
ior iavor IN the gorges. other
II passing sights as the trained horde
rant catching fish for his mas Ono
the gold-washers securing tbo or MO,
- h, 80 ano the daily sport vehicl
At - 60 men struggling to row n
,ot ~ e.ou. MS morning rice Of co
: 80. ountered or enjoyed. ways
4 can we challenge another hoat mon
= the a,.u nor ~ days tiers OF
n. Snuns-king. and and tn
inc Joy OF finishing with the ! backs