Evening star., 1928-03-18
ADBU|LD|NC ERA
OBSERVED IN CHINA
Country Takes to Construc.
tion of Highways. Despite
| Civil War.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press.

srondsnce Of the Associated Press.
PEKIN0. China.-Road building. viii
striking development in motor cal
tTafac. despite civil wars which arc
rauperising the country. is one of the
most noteworthy developments taking
place in China. During 1927 much
highway construction was done and
prospects for 1923 are that even more
roads and more motor cars will take
their place in the daily life in China
Road building. although III miscel-
laneouS areas and not co-ordmated, Is
taking place all the way from Peking to
Canton and as far west as Chengtu
capital Of the province Of Szechuan.
The undertakings are being carried out
by military leaders, the roads being
desired for military uses and also as
a source of revenue.
Aids War Chests.
A road will be built over a route
varying from a few miles TO several
hundred feet in length, n feet of second
hand Automobiles will be acquired from
local garages. and overnight COM
plste transportation organization will
come into being. Passenger carrying
and freight transport by truck arc
fourishing in numerous areas by this
means, and scores OF military Chief.ains
have diSco.ered an excellent way 10
bolster up their sagcing war chests.
Since the arrival Of the Fengtiel
faction Of Chang Tso-lin in and about
Pekias in the province Of Chihli. roads
Of the district have been improved
greatly and motor traffic has been in
creased. The roads Of the capital itself.
while not comparable with those OF
Western capitals. are vastly better than
year ago and continual work is going
on n the surrounding country to pre-
pare highways for heavy traffic.
In addition to the increasing number
of privately owned motor cars. dozen
motor buses run daily the so miles be-
tween Peking and Tientsin. while num-
hers of bthers ply frequently in all di-
rections from the capital. visiting places
of interest and trade within an area of
200 miles OF Peking. The fares are
moderate. the traffic is heavy and the
alsses are always crowded.
Good Motor Road.
Authorities hope to bring about more
settled conditions as result of the
opening up OF the country by this
method.
South Of Peking in Shantung there
Is an excellent motor road from Tsinan-
FIJI along the south side Of the Yellow
River 10 the north coast and then east
almost 10 Chefoo. The course is long
one, well populated with cars, and
brings in good revenue.
In Eonan. Hupeh and Human similar
movements have been started. In
Szechuan. far 10 the west. the militarists
have acquired the road craze" and at
present several foreign engineers are
engaged IN laying out highways to
important points.
To the south in Fukien, along the
coast. several good roads have been
built by local authority, and still farther
south in Kwangsi and Kwangtung and
even 10 Yunan road construction is 60
ing on. mostly under supervision Of for
eign engineers
Labor for building the roads costs
little, being conscripted by the mill
tarists in many places. Such roads are
virtually private highways OF the build
erS A monopoly is created and the
profits are large. Although the roads
may be operated under such manage
n1ent al present. in the end they will
form the nucleus for a highway system
throughout China.
Second Hand Autos.
Second hand automobiles OF almost
every description. bought IN Shanghai
form the fleets" for the roads. The
cars are driven until the wheels drop
OF" and then more are procured, the
oao being cast 70 the roadside.