THE WALLS OF NANKING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1256, 14 May 1914, Page 2

THE WALLS OF NANKING.

Deep regret will be excited by the news that the Government of China has acceded to a petition for leave to demolish that part of the beautiful old walls of Nanking which fronts the river. The petition has largely been prompted by the merchants, who argue that while the walls remain there is a constant danger that the city may be used as a rebel headquarters, and further that commerce will benefit by their destruction. Neither argument appears conclusive, since the obvious function of Nanking is to serve as a strong Government outpost to control the Yangtsze Valley, while the commerce of Nanking is so inconsiderable that it is not likely to be affected whether the walls are dismantled or. not. The walls, which were completed in 1390 by Hungwu, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, possibly the greatest man China ever produced, form one of the noblest architectural features of China, and are not exceeded in dignity and massiveness even by the famous walls of Pekin, which in extent they far surpass. They are over 20 miles in circumference, and at various points they range from 60ft. to 80ft. in height, while for the larger part of their vast perimeter, two carriages can easily drive abreast along the top. Once the work of destruction begins, there is no knowing where it will end. It is earnestly to be hoped that, when China is already being stripped of so many of the splendours of her antiquity, these may vet be spared.