Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-13

on account Of the wound In the mar
shal's arm. He accompanied us to the
dining room and after we were seated
asked us to excuse him. leaving as his
proxy the governor of the province oi
Mikden, who after dinner spoke very
briefly in greeting.
Wall 80 Feet High.
Our drive to the marshaPs yamer
was something always to be remem-
bered. The palace is in the heart Of
the old walled city, within the innel
wall of stone, which is 80 feet high
The outer mud wall is only a frai
marker of tine ancient limits, but the
inner wall is still a mighty barrier. The
way thither wound through narrow
streets, lined with shops that were OF
pearance-and odorous emanations
Our machines spun through lires OF
donkey carts and rickishaws and throng'
of people afoot. Everybody was in a
hurry But for the motors themselves
and the trim soldiers acting as traff1C
guards at certain corners. We might
have been in the Mukden' Of several
centuries ago.
The entrance to the inner part OF
the Old Town. as 1t is called. is char
acteristic of the East. There is nc
direct driveway through the gate. The
road turns to right and to left at q
massive buttresS, and entrance Is had
into a sort Of court. Then turn. again
brings one TO the real gateway.s and
the old town lies ahead. This twisting
is designed TO prevent the evil spirits
from entering. The invisible devils
cannot turn corners. Hence, the double
gates, at right angles. :.-
While we were waiting in the palace
~ oI, {r cArtn ~ no HSAc
one set within the courtyard OF an
other-a violent thunderstorm. arose.
There was a swift Scurrying OF serv-
ants. Of which there seemed to be
scores. In addition TO the soldiers stand
ing about In the halls. Windows were
hastily closed and doors were fastened
The wind rose to veritable hurricane
force in a few seconds and the blast
lasted for about f1ve minutes. Then 1t
subsidized almost as quickly as 1t arose.
On looking out we saw in the fading
light OF evening the courtyard strewn
With overturned pUtted plants and
trees. No damage was done, however,
and nobody seemed 10 be Ill the least
concerned. save TO keep the storm from
beating into the house.
Mukdens population Is somewhat OF
q mystery. One asks about It and gets
sS many answers as there are INFORM
ants. In fact, nobody seems 10 know
the total. because there is no accurate
census taking and besides the popu-
lation is unquestionably increasing
rapidly. 1t is understood that at least
a million Chinese come into Manchuria
every year. seeking chance to, live In
comparative peace. There are probably
between SOC, 900 and 100000 people
here. Judging from some of the streets,
however, there are q million.
Neither does anybody seem to know
just when Mukden began to exist. In
the course of its undoubtedly long ca
reer it has had no less than seven
different names. 1t has today two
names, Mukden and Fengtien. The
latter is likewise the name OF the
province. 1t is as Mukden. however.
that it is best known to the world. To
the first-time tourist 1t is a most fasci-
mating place, real meeting point of
East and West.
CNOTT-Another OF Mr.. Lyons let
tiers will appear in The Star tomor-
row.