The International Development of ChinaSun, Yat-sen
History
The International Development of China
Sun, Yat-sen
China -- Economic conditions -- 1912-1949; Railroads -- China
In order to regulate the estuary of the Yangtze we have to study the
three channels which form its mouth and to find out which of these
channels is to be selected as the regulated entrance into the sea. In
Mr. Von Heidenstam's proposal for the improvement of the approach of
Shanghai Harbor, he recommends two alternatives, viz., either to block
up the North and Middle Channels and to leave the South Channel only
for the mouth of the Yangtze, or to train the South Channel only and
leave the other two alone. For the present, he thinks, perhaps for the
sake of economy, the latter scheme would be enough. But the training
of the South Channel alone as the approach to Shanghai would leave it
in a state of perpetual anxiety as has been apprehended by Mr. Von
Heidenstam and other experts, for the main volume of the water of the
Yangtze may be diverted into either of the other two channels and leave
the Southern one to be silted up at any time. Therefore to make the
approach of Shanghai once for all safe and permanent, it is necessary
to block up two of the three channels, leaving only one as an approach
to the port. This is also the only feasible way of regulating the
estuary of the Yangtze.
In our scheme of regulating the Yangtze Estuary I should recommend
using the North Channel only and to block the other two. Because the
North Channel is the shortest way to the deep-sea line and by using
it as the only mouth of the Yangtze, we have on both sides of it more
shallow banks to be reclaimed by its silt. Thus the expenditure would
be less and the results greater. But this would leave Shanghai in
the lurch. Therefore in a coöperative scheme like this I would apply
the theory of killing two birds with one stone by using the Middle
Channel, since it would suit both of our purposes. The reason for this
is because the regulating of the Yangtze Estuary and the securing of a
Shanghai approach have different purposes, hence we must consider them
differently.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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