Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1917 — WANTS MORE ROAD [ARTICLE]

WANTS MORE ROAD

New Chinese Government Wants to Make Improvements. NEEDWO.OOOMILESOFROAD Authorities Shooting Far Beyond That Mark and Propose Eventual Construction of 300,000 MilesAmerica Interested. The transportation fever has struck China. The Chinese want more railroads, and it looks as if they were going to be obliged, for their new government agrees with them and has started upon the task with a vim that promises early results. A writer in Asia, a new magazine issued by the American Asiatic association, says that it is estimated that 100,000 miles of road would solve for the time being the carrying problem of the republic, but that the governmental authorities are shooting far beyond that mark and propose the eventual - construction of 300,000 miles. This situation is especially interesting to American business men, since a part of the necessary capital will be furnished here and a share of the actual building will also be done by Americans.-- All* this is indicative not only of the new spirit In China, but also of the growing cordiality between the two countries. At the present time China has only six thousand-odd miles of railroad to accommodate a population of more than 400,000.000. This is paucity indeed when the figures for the United States are considered. Here with 100,000,000 inhabitants there are 250,000 of road and even at that complaints that we are falling behind in construction are frequently heard. It is not to be assumed, Asia points out, that China’s necessities are to be satisfied at once. Indeed, it may be ten years before she is able to add more than 10,000 miles, but a building program is being arranged that provides definitely for the projection of new lines into industrial sections which hove hitherto been neglected, and for immediate relief in cases where congestion is now so great as to Interfere with the industrial life of the country. Just how much the Chinese plans mean in a financial way to the United States is shown by the estimate that 100,000 miles of railroad will cost $2,000,000,000, a great part of which will be raised by American capitalists. China at present makes scarcely any of the materials for construction, but her natural resources are so great that eventually she will be able to produce all the equipment that is necessary.