Among. the distinguished visitors: were Mr, F, H. Clark, President of the C. & A, Engines tion and Adviser to the Communications, Mr, Thomas Sze, 'Technical Expert, Ministry of Communications, Mr.'K, Y. Kuang, late Chief of the' Canton-Hankow, and P-8, Railways, Mr. P. S, Wu, Engineer to the Salt Gabelle, Mr, P.'T. Wang, Loco, Superintendent, P-8, Railway, Mr. Yang Pao Ling'of the Chibli River Conservancy, Mr. H. A. Raider and others, After dinner Col, P. C. Young, General Manager of the K. M. rose to propose the toast of "Our Gucets." He said that it was a ple sure to welcome so many members of the Engineers' Association. Thexe guests were there aster a strenuow day, during which, in Tongshan an' the surrounding region, they had] seen many details worthy of th: attention as Engineers; they would have seen either hw things ought ty be done or hw they ought not to be done: our most valuable lessons were often learned from cut own or others' mistakes, Their general iv-pression wow be of rear entery.s:+ in motes} construction, well conceived and carried on at a high star dard, by ex and experienced engineers, But they would also have observed the present position of these various industrial concerns: the P.-M, Railway, just where it ought to be, yet divorced from its true function as the handmaid of industry: the Cement Works in its appropriate place for the production of @ most essential commodity, yet working only half time: the K. MIN. A. developing an area most favourable for the exploitation of coal, so necessary to all, yet hindered from pulling its weight: the Tongshan University steadily turning out qui ifed engineers merely to be appointed of employment.
The immediate cause of thi stagnation of important industries was the prevalence of civil war and the want of ordered government: but the basic reason was that China was menaced by the four dragon: jealousy, suspicion, narrow-minded-hess, and ignorance.
The Four Dragons In many forms ce-operation between Chinese and foreigners had met with a reasonable measure of success: the effective enterprises in this industrial region manifested that, He believed that an era of peace and industrial prosperity in China would soon dawn, and that] the spirit of cordial—co-operation might and should be carried fare ther.
The day was passing when China would need help from foreign technical experts: the presence of that! day's guests proved that. Buz cowould still be needed for:
; a*°on of China's finances, fr help while this country was frore 1 patriarchal to a Snore Tiberal system, and for the aresnizatin of "industry an] trem:
on, axcGern lines.
stood in the way of sucli'cooperation which' would be 50° helpful to China were the aforesaid dragons of Jealousy, Narrow-mindedness, Suspicion and Ignorance.
The speaker would not have it] thought that in saying these things he was anti-Chinese or was criticize.
alone. He denounced wherever they were enemies to human happiness and prosperity, Those enemies were also to be met with in the West; and what havoc had they not wrought? They had led to the bloodiest war in history, and that has in its turn brought commerce, industry, and banking to the verge of chaos. To-day in England there is such a long drawn out and bitter industrial war as had never been known. His own country too needed to be warned against these dragons, these menaces to its pence and prosperity.
How were they to be fought? Against jealousy, suspicion, narrow-mindedness anc ignorance the only effective weapons wore goodwill, frankness, breadth of view and knowledge. He rejoiced in the technical "skill represented there that evening and available for the service of China; but skill alone would be of small value: what were needed were these more effective influences, and the greatest of these was goodwill.
Te was above all for this reason, because such gatherings as that one make for goodfellowship and goodwill, that he welcomed the distinguished Chinese and foreign guests, and asked the company to n drink to the health of the Associa-of Chinese and American Engineers.
Mr, Thomas Sze, responding on. behalf of the guests expressed their sincere and hearty appreciation of the Kindly "ud generous way they had been taken care of throughout the day. The hospitality and courtesy received had touched them deep-Ig. and it was difficalt te choir fecting of appreciation. regretted that troubles in Shanghai, Tiozgkow and cther places made impossible for many members to one with than, or nave been tnvei bigger: ones had missed a fine treat.
afternoon had been most. interest-'Their visita that morning and) ing and instructive; and he was sure they could not have spent the day more profitably and enjoyably.
The Starting Point Tongshan they might call the starting point of China's railway and mining enterprises. Here the first big railway originated; here started the first coal mine operated under modern methods; here cement manufactured by machinery was made perhaps earlier than anywhere else in China, They had seen that day many new undertakings, the washing plant at Linsi, the high tension line between Tongshan and Linsi, the electric furnace the pottery factory, ete, And they saw that Tongshan, spite of war going on year after year, had not been at a standstill but had gone ahead well as compared with other parts of the country: and this had been through the progressiveness and efficient management of their hosts and their able lieutenants.
The visit was to the speaker of] special—signifieance. for gave him the opportunity of seeing many old friends again and the! places where he had lived and worked many years ago. He asked the aucsts to rise and drink to the prosperity of the Peking-Mukden Railway, the Kailan Mining Administration and the Chee Hsin Cement Works.
Mr. Li Hsi Ming, general manager of the Cement Works, though not a fluent speaker of English, followed with a happy little speech sociating himself with the Chairman's cordial welcome to the guests, and expressing the wish that such gatherings might be much more frequent for that they made for hap-pines and_ goodwill, Bir, A. Doequier in entertaining: and gallant words expressed the great. pleasure which the presence of ladies amongst the guests had given to all and he proposed their health.
Warm thanks were accorded to Madame Simon to whom were due the excellent arrangements for the dinner for a much larger number} than Tongshan had ever hitherto entertained.
"The hall of the club. was' then} cleared for dancing which went on) till'a late Hour. Much appreciation was felt of the untiririg'ldbdurs' of!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.