Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-31

worth a little less than so American
cents. The currency is large and eX-
tremely sol. ,...1 tattered. Even in
comparatively large denominations the
equivalent of $3.50 American came to
my hands in bulk that made the use
the wad wrapped in a piece of paper
and carried it like bit of haberdashery
back to the hotel, where I cached 1t
among my clean linen.
At / o'clock We were rendered a
luncheon-tiffin, by all that is Asiatic-
here at the Wagon Lifts Hotel by the
American Association, half hundred
members assembling to greet us and
make us feel at home, which they were
quite unable to do because of the utterly
strange surroundings. But the language
was familiar, and the idioms of speech
were our own, and everybody seemed
happy. We met practically all OF the
American newspaper men who are sta
toned here and are trying to find out
what Is happening in this land OF con-
cealment and camouf1age. They told
us that big things were about to hap
pen. But then am told by others that
that is the usual song that is sung by
the American scribes and the English
and others, who are so close to the
center of things in China that some
times their Judgment is confused by the
dust of politics.
Visits Two Universities.
The afternoon was taken up with
visits to two universities, out in the
suburbs of Peiping. One of them is the
institution that was established with
the Boxer indemnity fund returned by
the United States to China. 1t will be
remembered that in the settlements
with China by the powers following the
uprising of 1900 the United states,
advocating moderate measures, asked
for lump sum of $25,000,000 to cover
the claims for damages brought forward
by it's nationals. A slightly smaller
sum was allotted to it, and it proved to
be twice as much as the actual claims
and expenses later aggregated. When
all claims were paid, and S2,000,0O0 had
been reserved for future contingencies.
the United States RENTED Sic, 785.28b
to China an act of grace which was
deeply appreciated by the Chinese peo-
pie. so far as they ever heard of it.
China announced its intention to use
the returned indemnity funds for the
education of students in the united
States That was in 1908. Later, when
settlements had been fully effected, and
the American example had been fol-
lowed by other nations, China had ac-
cumulated credit fund OF large
amount and put it to various uses,
including, in addition to the payment
of student expenses in America, the
establishment of Tsinghua College, now
become a university. 1t was set up IN
a. former palace of the empire. Today
it is a much increased institution, with
several large new buildings. handsome
assembly hall, and, perhaps most cher
ishad a gymnasium dedicated to the
memory of Theodore Roosevelt. 10
whom is attributed the first suggestion
for the return of the indemnity fund
TO China A tablet bearing his portrait
IN excellent likeness is set into the front
wall of the building, setting forth this
credit to him.
Tsinghua is now a full-fedged uni
versity in that it is carrying on its own
graduate work, instead of Senulng ltS
graduates to America for the compile
ton of their education. 1t has about
500 students at present, some being
women, the institution having gone
upon a co-educational basis snort
time ago. The members of the faculty
are proud of the record made by the
graduates. many of whom are now at
work in the task of China'S unlflcatlon
and advancement.
A Rough Road.
From Tsinghua we drove to Yenching
University, not far distant. Both are
several miles beyond the city limits, and
are reached by one of the most terrible
roads I have ever known. We were
astounded later when told that Toll
is eXacted for riding over this road.
Justice would demand reversal OF the
operation. the municipality paying all
users of the highway for the :ndignitty
of its use. I was told that the newly
installed mayor of the city, Gen. Chang
Yin-Wu, has announced his policy to be
good roads and good schools for Peiplng.
He has a worthy work ahead CT him.
Yenching University is endowed by
combination of sources, church boards.
the Rockefeller Foundation. Harvard
University and several special gifts from
Americans. 1t is an undenominatlonai