PRECIOUS PIECE OF JADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 110, 10 April 1931, Page 5

PRECIOUS PIECE OF JADE.

CHINESE GOODWILL OFFERING.

A piece of jade as big as a man’s head and-worth a king’s ransom is the goodwill offering of General Cliih Shujen, former Chinese warlord, to the Nationalist Government, at Nanking. The jade was presented as a New Year’s gift by a representative of General Chill, who spent weeks carrying it through bandit infested regions of North China to Pekin and thence by rail to the capital. It will be used in the manufacture of a state seal.

Although one of the least talked about Chinese military leaders, General Chill is chairman of the Sinkiang provincial administration. His domain is one of the most wealthy in China proper, although a good ileal of it consists of tho Gobi desert. Sinkiang is the most western of the China provinces and is hounded on the south by India, on the west by Afghanistan and Turkestan and on the north by Siberia and Mongolia. Much of the best jade ill the world comes from that region. Accompanying the jade was a note to President Cliiang Kai-sliek and the members of his cabinet, calling their attention to General Chill’s loyalty to the Government and his desire to cooperate in helping establish unity throughout China. He added that at present he is in serious need of assistance in developing his province in both an industrial and agricultural way and would appreciate whatever help could be given. The region abounds in mineral wealth, he points out, particularly petroleum, gold and jade. All that is required is adequate transportation facilities and he would like to build a few roads with Nanking’s help and permission.

Although the Nanking Government has taken considerable interest in General Cliih’s appeal for assistance in developing Sinkiang, the piece of jade is the chief attraction at present as far as matters concerning tne western province are concerned. On the point of beauty the jade is worth all the attention and publicity that has been showered upon it. No picture can give a correct idea of its real beauty, even in uncut roughness. Technically, it is known as lchotan, or suet jade, because of its resemblance to sheep suet. From one of the corners of the jade, a clear, green colour is reflected, which changes to deep brown, white and gray at other places. It weighs approximately 41b, and is worth a fortune running well into six figures.