What did impress me was to find these upper river ships with a library. [The beds are spread out, usually in four rows, along the deck covered with an awning. There was a steward who kept a record of the books borrowed. The brary contained all kinds of Chinese literature, "light, "heavy, and middle-weight and apparently suitable to every taste. A lively discussion took place similar to what one might find on the deck fof a P. & O. liner. After a discussion asked a young graduate of the Chengtu Union University what topies were being discussed, "Oh" he: said, "Chinese students ate very fond of discussing economics and politics, Dut just now we were discussing the reconstruction of China and the build. ing up of a modern, model State."
'Apparently Gen.' Chiang now tackling the problems of West Chins fand this Includes Kueichow, Yunnan and Szechuan, He has an electrical programme for Kueichow, using one fof the high water-falls to generate electricity which will bring light and power to the whole province. Here in Szechuen the water power coming down from the high Tibetan mountains could be utilized to supply all the electricity needed.
Gen. Chiang has divided Szechuen, with Ite 60,000,000 pepote in to eighteen districts with a special commis sioner over each, having both military and civil power. These commis-Isioners have had an intensive course of instruction in civil government and each has been imbued with a sense of responsibility and their duty to their country.
Work of this kind necessarily is slow but a beginning has to be made some time and Szechuen is a pivotal point. The proverb says, "the world may be quiet but there will still be trouble in Szechuen." Gen, Chiang. has a stiff task before him but he is not dismayed and the common people are deeply impressed with his courage and out-spoken attitude against off-dal corruption.
An Apalling Task more he speaks against these things and the more he fights Communism and the opium trac £0 much the more does he bring his life Into danger. The magnitude of his task is simply appalling and if any man in the history of China needs Jassistunce and sympathy that man is Gen, Chiang.
Ju the reconstruction of Szechuen he is not dealing with a province but with a country. The population of /Szeehuen has a much larger population than Italy, France, Germany, oF Great Britain, and yet Szechuen is only one of eighteen provinces.
'Yunnan and Kueichow have not suffered from mis-government to the same extent as Szechuen, so the prob-Jem before the general' is not only one of reconstruction, but while he carries this out, he has to maintain the sympathy and ce-operation of the people.
'A. great highway from Yachow to Tachientu, 200 kilometres long, is funder construction, Liu Wen-huei's men being put to the task. This road
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.