Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 219, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1918 — Model City In China [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Model City In China

TOURISTS tn China and even old residents generally pass by Nan-tung Chow, a city on the Yangtse river which has not been open to foreign-business as a treaty port, writes Frederick R. Sites In Asia. Consequently comparatively few people are aware that a community which may exert a powerful influence on the whole of China as a practical example of modern, achievement is there to be found —a community that has taken great strides in developing education, social institutions, public works, manufacturing enter.pises and agriculture, ranging from the kindergarten to college and from good roads to land reclamation. Features commonplace enough in occidental life appear as marvels when found in this purely oriental-setting. All the changes have been wrought so quietly and entirely under Chinese leadership that even one of the most alert American educators in China heard of them with surprise and keen interest. This quietness of action is typical of the modesty of the man of classic letters, his excellency, Chang Chien, whose enterprise and wise leadership have been the mainspring of this new life. The positiveness of his Integrity, benevolent public spirit and unselfish progressive leadership make him stand out in the whole of China.

Nan-tung Chow lies upon the north shore of the Yangtze river about 100 miles from Shanghai. Recently an opportunity presented Itself for making a pilgrimage to this Mecca of Chinese progress. Evidences of a new China were at once visible. A carriage was brought up from the steamer landing by way of wide, well-graded roads, lined with young trees, and built on top of dikes constructed as a protection against the Yangtse river floods. Here and elsewhere throughout this district the banks of the canal are protected with neat stone “bunding” or with solid retaining walls. These well-built and well-maintained roads and canals, with occasional heat.. police stations and clean settlements, unusual in China, were the first Indication of a guiding hand and the new spirit which has been working among the people. Chang Chien's Scheme.

Our farmer-scholar-statesman host outlined the scheme of industrial development of Nan-tung Chow, which is centered in six land development companies. It is in this industrial pioneering that Mr. Chang takes keenest interest. The first of the companies he started about 19 years ago. Capital was subscribed liberally by his acquaintances and other investors who had implicit confidence in his integrity. A tract of about 119,000 mow (or 20,000 acres) of wild land —salt marshes along the seashore —was diked to keep out the ocean storms, and ditched to drain off the salt water. Much of the land was then brought under cultivation, and the rest used for producing salt by the evaporation of sea .water. .Our host exhibited special pride in this enterprise, because success was won in the face of extreme difficulties. Government aid could not be secured. The project instead met obstruction. It was a fight against the government; nevertheless Mr. Chang carried through his plans. His weapon was his pen and his pen was backed by right. But the project had also to contend with nature; for when the company was only four years old a great typhoon played havoc with the dikes, and the company was nearly bankrupt. From this lesson of experience, however, and by dint of perseverance, the dikes were rebuilt according to a -stronger plan, the losses were retrieved and the company was again placed on a basis of success.

After 11 years a second land company was started. During the last five years four additional companies of the same sort have been launched. These six companies are now engaged in reclaiming and cultivating a total of &000.000 mow (about 1,300,000 acres) of land. Mr. Chang estimates that these enterprises will provide work and subsistence for 3,000,000 Chinese families, who are purchasing small farms or renting them on shares. That the various companies were not launched until the first one had proven itself successful Is evidence of the caution of this wise developer. The men who'are now managing the more recently established companies had their training In the original one. “What is your- personal motto and

the secret of success of your joint stock companies?” I asked Mr. Chang Chien. “It is contained in three words,” he replied. “Tell no lies; be not lazy; be ever frugal.” ' Schools of Nan-tung Chow. The ideals st its leader are stamped upon the conduct of the schools of Nan-tung Chow. They are in evidence in the mottoes of his own composition written in Chinese characters of gold and crimson and'adorning gateways and assembly rooms. In classic phrases these mottoes Impress upon the studerits the importance of his “three words.” But other means are employed more impressive than merfe mottoes. An artistic little pavilion has been erected over the spot where an honest youth happened to find an article of great value, which he promptly carried to his teacher so that Ifs rightful'owner might be found. A stone tablet placed in the pavilion tells the story and honors the youth for his integrity. A unity of plan is a notable part of Mr. Chang’s educational system. His scheme provided practical industrial opportunities for those young men and women who have already been given special training in the colleges of commerce, agriculture, medicine and textiles. Their training prepares them for subsequent usefulness in the many enterprises under Mr. Chang’s direction—the transportation companies, land development organizations, hospitals, cotton and flour mills. This logical program of special training' and immediate opportunity for ticipatlon in the work of the communi, ty is far in advance of. the vision and plan of educators in many western centers.

A Well-Kept Corner of Nan-tung Chow.