Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-07
KWANGTUNG GIVES
CHINESE TO j. S.
California Gold Strike and
Rail Construction Drew
Them From Homeland.

Kwangtung Province. southern battle
field Of warning Chinese factions, Is the
homeland OF most Of the Chinese in
the United States. according to bulle-
tin from the National Geographic So
ciety.
Shortly after gold was discovered in
California and the transcontinental
railroads were in the making" the
bulletin said. "Kwangtung immigrant
laborers began to swell the United
States immigration total. In 80 years
American census takers counted more
1.-The province has also contributed
many of the $4,000 Chinese in the
Philippines, many of the $4,000 in
Hawaii and more than 100000 each
in the East Indies, Formosa and Siam.
Today there are approximately $500
Chinese in the United States.
Met West First.
1.-THE southernmost coastal province
Of China, Kwangtung, was the f1rSt
region of China to associate CONNER
cially on q large scale with the West.
When the first American ship sailed
into the port Of Canton, chief city of
Kwangtung. in 1874. it was greeted by
traders from Holland, Portugal and
England The Portuguese had paved
the way for Western traders when they
visited the port for the first time about
two centuries earlier.
"Kwangtung is slightly more than
twice the size of Pennsylvania, but 1t
has more than four times as many in
habitantS. The greater portion Of the
province is mountainous. The hills are
largely unfit for cultivation, but the
fertile valleys and the coastal zone, In
many places, produce three crops a
year. The tropical climate affords year.
round cultivation.
About 5000, 900 tons of rice are pro-
duced. but nearly 1,50O,0 900 tons are i'm
ported to feed the natives. Sugar cane,
many vegetables, bamboo, tea, reed for
mating and hemp are grown. Mulberry
trees flourish. providing food for the
millions of silk worms that produce raw
material for more than $4,000, 900
worth Of exportable silk products an
nually. Kwangtung's tropical fruits
oranges and ginger-are far-famed.
Rich in Minerals.
Vast quantities of minerals underlie
the province. In a recent year the
combined production of tungsten in
Kwangtung and Kwangsi Province. its
western neighbor. was more than $780,
900 pounds. 1t is estimated that
Kwangtung has more than 300, 600, 900
tons of coal awaiting the miners pick.
About 100000 tons are mined annually.
There are also tin, lead and manganese
: deposits, while the iron ore deposits are
known to be extensive.
Silk weaving and knitting mills and
tanning and mating factories produce
large volumes of articles that enter in
the trade Of the province. Jade orna-
mentS, articles of carved ivory, china
ware, firecrackers drugs; fans, human
hair and pig briStles from Kwangtung
are found on American markets, while
American kerosene and American hydro
electric machinery and electrical appar-
atuS give the province much of its light
and power. American condensed milk
and many other domestic products find
their way to the shelves of Kwangtung
grocery stores.
Transportation Is Poor.
Lack of transportation has retarded
Kwangtungs inland traders. The ma
t1ves depend largely upon water trans
portation and the strong backs of coolie
carriers. There are only about $50
miles OF railroads in the province and
they were built in recent years. Only
about rs miles of motor roads are to be
found outside the cities and towns.
Kwangtung's progress is also re-
tarded by frequent political disturb
ances. for it is famed as a hotbed of
rebellion. When there is trouble in
China, Kwangtung is almost certain to
be involved.
Canton. leading Kwangtung city,
has about one million Inhabitants.
About a quarter of a million native
Chinese live in sampans, house boats and
Junks which are as thick as bees in a
hive on the West River along the Can
ton waterfront, and on other water
ways which penetrate the province.
The city, fifth largest in the Re-
public and the so-called capital of
South China. has thrived in spite of it's
politically restless inhabitants Until
the early years of the present century
1t was maze of narrow, odorous streets
thanked with dingy. low buildings. The
inhabitants resented attempts of engi-
neers and foreign business men to in
lect modern methods into Canton life.
While the old portion of the city still
has its narrow streets, Canton now has
some wide avenues and new parks
adorned with beds of flowers. Even in
portions Of the old quarter, low, dilapi-
dated buildings of fiimsy construction
have given way to modern business
structures, many of which house for
eign business Offices"