The Journal of Race Development, Vol. 3, No. 3 (Jan., 1913), pp. 316-342 Published by: Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/29737964 . Accessed: 17/10/2011 22:34
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THE GENESIS OF THE REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION IN CHINA FROM A SOUTH CHINA STANDPOINT
By John Stuart Thomson, sometime Agent at Hong Kong, China, of thePacific Mail and Toyo Kisen Kaisha Trans-Pacific Steamship Companies
Many have thought as of, many has have spoken many on the Chin? sides. With
was in progress. I lived longest in south China, which section has thought longest on revolution, and I will there?
fore speak largely to as a neighbor free opinion respect of and for. the his southern Chinese,
has his
and
A republic in place of the oldest monarchy ! Preposterous. It would involve making a yellow man think as a white
man, and that such that treat had an the others never occurred. It would involve free
intercourse with
opposed meant should
It them. with interchange and of continuous involved history years throwing and humbly to the winds, pride and precedent agglomerated It meant the dealing anew as a tyro for a while. beginning of one, and asking, instead with "My kings, 400,000,000 2000 An educational will." is your system a religion 5000 years old to be at once forgotten! years had his own god (his father) at least, whereby every man rice of wine, as cheap as the paltry sacrifices to be made lord! what old 316
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
317
and the painted stick of Confucianism, were in reality! The taking up of individual and national responsibility for 400,000,000 people, and entrance upon a wide path of
world-influence, with its divided shame and fame. The
taking and giving of blows for wrong and right. The giving up of the triple eternal Nirvana of father, self and son, in exchange for an exciting role limited to 55 crowded years in the individual. The scale of the action! A land as
large casie race. as all Europe, and a people The thunderous knock as numerous on the as the Cau? doors long-locked
of science and medicine by 400,000,000 people, who had bowed to idol and charm alone. It shook the world. It was pregnant with Paradisial possibilities for mankind,
because of the vastness of the movement, and the depth of
its wellspring. The launching of this new Leviathan ship of state could not but raise a wave that would lift the already floating hulks of Europe and America, and give
them added rearrangement taxation, impetus, though temporary of commerce, manufacture, agriculture, art, alarm. The labor, finance, and possibly for religion
learning,
the whole world. The adding of the most difficult language to the tongues and pens of men, and the call on the English
speech to rise once more greater than the mighty stranger,
or pale before the light of his march. The challenge to Pal? estine's Bible to conquer by truth and love, or retreat with half a world lost. The uprising again of the yellow ghosts of Kublai Khan, Batu, Timurlane, and the Khans of the
Golden Horde. What would be the Caucasian's answer to
It will Emperor William's question "The Yellow Peril?" be remembered that the brilliant Kaiser once painted a
the nations of Europe to defend picture showing gathering the cross of Calvary an incendiary and civilization against in the eastern Buddha the stranger lowering sky. Would even while within the gates be protected, and republican out their argument? Would imperialist fought leadership and would the great Mongolian mass be intellect arise, now that it was energized? ualized Since the vast body was move would it henceforward suddenly displaced, by mere or sympathetic volition? it collectivize Could and gravity,
THE JOURNAL OP RACE DEVELOPMENT,VOL. 3, NO. 3, 1913
318
not disintegrate?
of trembling
What
thrones,
where
Hohenzollern, Ottoman, Billiken, etc. said they ruled by "divine right," which is quite a different thing from noble England's "constitutional right." Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the Chinese republicans sent out this challenge: "Tien ming wu ehang" (the divine right lasts not forever). All these
questions presented themselves It was Chinese of when the reformers startled
the announcement
a monarchy to be a republic?not in Japan. who had been educated sentiment, and Britain's sacrifice
Had
America's
of revenue from 1909 to 1911, there could have been no rebellion as early as 1911. The reform cleared the befogged
heads toward of the nation, the added a million of the men to agitation, How great and a
stone America and Britain ference of 1909 at Shanghai. The great revolution of October, 1911, did not drop as a bolt from a clear sky. The clouds had been gathering, though many at home and abroad did not, or would not see them. In September, 1911, the Imperial Viceroy of Canton, Chang Ming Chi, sent spies along the new Canton Hong Kong Railway to apprehend smugglers of arms. In
the same month, troops under the command of Marshal
suddenly
several reformers, at Canton, and arrested newspaper Luk sake. General for opinion's had been blacklisted
Wing Ting of Kwangsi province came down the Si Kiang (West River) in September 1911 in the gunboat Po Pik to
and took back with Canton, machine guns and ammunition as the Manchus persistently month previous tions at Peking censor messages with sympathy him called from all the Canton the arsenal, to attack "anarchists," In the reformers.
the Ministry of Posts and Communica? so as to the use of private codes, stopped in secret to the reformers. Several viceroys, the reformers, had as early as August, 1911,
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
319
for gunboats, so as to disperse the fleet from the Yangtse basin, where the revolution was to strike, and the largest cruiser, the splendid Hai Chi, well known in New wired
York, George's these viceroys coronation should suggested at Spithead. review be Even sent as to King far back
as July,
powers,
government
approached
the
on arms con? they make espionage to our amusement, Rather they as boxed condensers, Kong pipes, iron, crockery, tracts, etc., anything
plumber's
bar
but guns, but that was the humor of the freight classifica? tion which the shippers used. In December, 1906, the scholars of the Middle Class inWuchow, Kiangsi province, at the head of navigation on the West River, decided to cut off their queues, and adopted khaki uniform, military drill and track races. They were independently preparing for strenuous times five years before the outbreak, and these boys were found in the first line of the attack in October, 1911, up at Hankow, led by Colonel Wen, who had gradu? ated from West Point Military Academy in America in 1909. In August, 1911, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation reported that a large part of its $9, 000,000 gold note issue was being held, instead of circulated
by the Chinese of Kwangtung and other southern provinces.
This hoarding of safe securities always indicates lack of faith as to the business and political future. The celebrated Manchu, Tuan Fang, Director General of Railways was ordered by the Ministry of Communica? tions to proceed to Canton and Kung Yik, the new town of " the Americanized Chinese, in August, 1911, to pacify the people." Tuan replied that he would not go and gave as his excuse: "Canton is infested with anarchism." In the
same month, Prince Ching to quell tar General, mon, appointees, the Regent, Prince asked the veteran Chun, to recommend an energetic to be sent general in Kwangtung disturbances and the Tar? province, Fung Shan, was to sent. a Spying was not uncon of new seemed province at the Yamen ahead which
to identify them.
In August,
320
of the new spirit which was moving among the Chinese of Canton for better things at this time, take the inception of
the model town of Heungchow. Chinese returned from
America, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, could not bear the municipal restraint of the old Chinese city. They
chose a site ten miles up the inner harbor of Macao. Dredg?
begun
libraries,
for a harbor.
police and fire parks,
Broad
stations
temples,
reforestation
in tree denuded China, Chamber of Commerce, tramways, electricity and gas, hospitals, schools, theatres, detached homes with gardens, launch and steamship lines, and a free
port, all were in the scheme. When a government permits
of food, and riots result because of justice monopoly ineffectually exerted, history shows that the government is about to fall. I instance the fierce Hangchow rice riots of July, 1906, under the leadership of Hung Pang (Red Asso? ciation), and the Changsha rice riots of 1910, when Yale College in China was barely saved from the conflagration, in the very district which in 1911 was swept by the high In 1906 text books were issued to tide of the revolution.
the modern schools of some of the southern provinces which
contained a caricature of China, not as the "Middle King? dom" of old, but as the "Middle morsel," from which all
the nations of these took school a bite. The enlisted "Dare In April, intent in the to Die" of course two was to arouse
resentful patriotism
boys the republicans: Throwers" regiment. the of Dr. Sun Yat Sum, operating the identical almost eign Secretary
Many
and band, two the rebels, under 1911, Hu Wai Sen's lieutenants, Sang and Wu issued to the world in Kwangtung province, manifesto that President issued Sun and For? 1912. in January, the rebels been
Fang Ting took place, and had fighting Desperate the and arms, with money iently supplied in April instead at Canton have been declared and Nanking in November, 1911. The
Wu
suffic?
United
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
321
boat Wilmington, and British gunboats like theMoorhen were rushed to Shameen island, Canton, to protect foreigners if need should arise in the excitement. Admiral Li, who was
killed in the October revolution, was barely able to conquer
this April revolution in Kwantung and Fukien provinces. Nearly all the missions were informed by Chinese students
and friends and serious to the revolution, months many previous occur. The would continued disturbances that Chin?
ese saw that individualism had arisen in America ad Eng? Individualism land and was battling with the priviliged. arose in old China, and resented in this rebellion the at last quietism taught by the superstition of Taoism, the resigna? tion of Buddhism and the obedience of Confucianism.
"I am not new a me the a clan; I am aman"; "Homo alienum said the ambitious puto" American ray of hope. or unprepared. uniformed nihil sum, Humani as he saw Chinese, not fleet alto? was
gether
made the largest foreign fleet in Chinese waters in the first month of the revolution, Admiral Murdock having the cruisers Saratoga (the converted New York of Spanish War the gunboats fame), Albany, New Orleans, Wilmington,
El Cano, Villalobos, Samar, Helena, and the destroyers Decatur, Barry, June 3, 1910, a year and four months legations friendly ing that and an consuls extensive have received in Shanghai, anti-dynastic the monitor etc. before As Monterey, as far back
If they do not assist the Manchus, foreigners are not to It was difficult to hold the widespread feeling be harmed."
in restraint. Sining Rich Tze ese in men valley, gunboat In August, out at broke 1911, a rebellion Kansu The far western leader was province.
August,
Canton,
1911.
shooting
ammunition.
On
September
1, the Navy
Department
322
strengthened
province
waters,
as to stop the smuggling of arms, and the Army Board required miners to get permits to import dynamite, as they feared that the "anarchists" were importing the explosive. The awful floods and famines of 1910-11 in the basins of the Yang Tze River, the Hwei River, and Grand Canal had created much criticism of the government, which failed to alleviate suffering which their neglect had caused, and the famine stricken were willing to fight, because an army
has a commissariat and one at least! every tress, was discontented, papers, such that was one that was in dis? "Every in debt, and every one that to the cave of Adullam." News? reform journal, the "Shen Pao"
of Shanghai, related horrible illegal tortures of the "third degree" used by Manchuized officials. Tin was largely financing the propaganda, the 400,000
Chinese tin merchants and miners of Singapore, Penang,
etc. in the Straits Settlements being the largest contributors. Following them came the 100,000 American Chinese, and the 50,000 Australian Chinese. Even in 1898, Li Hung Chang
was known to declare at Canton that it was not impos?
sible that the spread of the new education would overturn the Manchu dynasty, of which he, a Chinese from Hofei in Nganwhei province, had been the strongest prop among
the viceroys for forty-five years. Superstition was not inac?
tive. Halley's comet flared in the sky. It had shone when Caesar fell; when Jerusalem fell; when Italy fell before Attila; when English Harold fell before William the Con? queror; when Rome fell in England; when Quebec fell before
the its awful flame must and now surely prophesy Wolfe, that red recited Omens were Manchu fall of the dynasty. and snow in Honan province, (snow and loess) had fallen tidal bore had risen 20 feet, broke over that the Hangchow the bank, and poured ous Haining pagoda. water This into the first gallery of the fam? meant the fall of the always
dynasty, for had it not happened on the night the beloved Mings fell, and when the scholarly Sungs fell? As with
civil Service servants in some other acted of mandarins countries, as though the Manchuized they were Civil the govern
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
323
ors and not the servants of the people, by alloting to them? The year before the selves high salaries and peculations. tax yielded about $150,000,000. Only revolution, the land
$30,000,000 reached the government exchequer. The Chin?
ese held the Manchus responsible for this criminal neglect of audit, for at least $100,000,000 should have reached
the imperial and provincial exchequers. That would have
allowed $50,000,000 for the expected peculation of that kind of office holders who believe that "public office is a private
graft." The same peculation occurred in returning the salt
In September 1911, the month pre? gabelle of $20,000,000. ceding the great revolution, the Chi Feng Po, a native paper
of Peking, even the reported tea coolies that had all wages humorously There were in arrears, and that an anonymous pasted was on some
of teeth behind
facetiousness. of Namhoi,
than humor
long-suffering
in
Kwangtung
being assessed a representative at Shek
province;
the silk
keepers instance
the tea houses, and even the temple I will bear." "all the taxed would revolt. near On September organized
Lung,
Canton,
worshippers at his temple, which was as significant as if the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church inWorcester, in disgust with conditions, gave arms to his congregation and led them against the citadel of the powers that be. The Chinese mob demolished the municipal Yamen, the police
station, and government distilleries, abbatoir, and fish mar?
ket. As far back as 1898, the Emperor Kwang Hsu by edict declared that the lottery at Canton should day one-third
the up-keep of the far-away There Peking University. is a unique of a kneeling erected in the Kwan effigy figure near Canton, is and has been clan temple at San Wui which to commemorate the defection by the worshippers whipped to the Manchu of a member and government's railway tax program. and far away chuized There was Kwangtung often ill feeling between Peking the Manchu and Man province, when joking at Peking, they were always of
viceroys
charge
"Well, super?
(barbarians), which
the refined
that an unrepresen? had been made complaint Repeated concessions tative Manchu gave away government right and were and that when these left to foreigners, concessions recalled or bought feel? out, owing to the outraged patriotic southern the foreigner and central provinces, in ing sums for good will and franchise instances immense charged in the
in addition
instances I am he was his own
to his outlay
I have not on the
and interest.
record, persons. as The
which
it is the
effete, governing, unrepresentative never of which consulted the provinces "Taxation without representation"
again.
American
"Compensation"
ese have
an immense
build
these
words
are synonomous On the subject and "grab." with injustice etc. the following remarks will be of railways, concessions, in the American book China J. H. Wilson's recalled General
(1887):
The Chinese will build railways, open mines, etc. whenever they can be shown that this can be done with their own money, obtained at first by private subscription, and by their own labor, under the direction of foreign experts who will treat them fairly and hon? estly. They will not for the present grant concessions or subsidies from any syndicate to foreigners. They will not even take money
by mortgage.
was the Ming 268 also made that Complaint dynasty, a land left as a heritage to the Manchu years ago, dynasty full of public works, roads, temples, canals, bridges, pagodas,
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
325
steam yachts
clan, an expense which This most wonderful a bolt from a clear River, the Yangtze which were rather
the nation
revolutions
on 10, 1911, at Wuchang sky on October in the center of the land, under the very
and Villalobos,
attempted to the
show, matter, planned propaganda on abroad and at home under bands and leaders, all going of whose views did not stop at the same place, but whose in patriotic had one source reform. opinion Kang Yu Wei,
the oldest and first of the reformers, commenced in 1897 by winning with his book Japan's Reform the emotional
Manchu Emperor, with travels of was Kwang a Hong and Hsu, Kong but when the Emperor driven
Hwei"
a
which
contemplated
the Manchu
revolution
This
Hwei,
Ko Ming,
Dr. Sun
Sia Hwei,
Yat
associations
of
and
other
pro? to
Chi Chao, the writer and translator, went first Liang the Straits Settlements and then to Kobe and Yokohama, where he edited the reform (Western retention
Chinese the Hsi Pao papers, and the Ming Pao. too tolerated He the paper), of the Manchu for the time being. Dr. monarchy an American of Nanking, had trans? Macklin, missionary lated Henry and Poverty into Chinese, George's Progress
ularly appreciated by Sun Yat Sen. Chang Yuan Chi's Commercial Press of Honan Road, Shanghai, had since 1898
been western translating schools. The American text books for Press the new Chinese Presbyterian at Suchow,and
18 Peking Road, Shanghai; the American Episcopal Press; the press of the other American and British missions and Bible Societies, had for years been issuing telling books of truth and progress in Chinese. Rich compradores of foreign houses at Hong Kong, likeMa Ying Pui, presented
sums eties as large like the as $1000 "Wan and at a time Yung." There to patriotic lecturing was more than soci? one
at
Chinese
thumbed
with
argument who
his father, King Creon, that "absolute rule was only fitted
of a desert," and not numbered
400,000,000. Yuan Shi Kai was deposed by theManchu Regent, Prince Chun in 1909, but from his exile at Chang Te, his birthplace in Honan province, he kept in dignified touch with the
formation of the new forces of opinion and arms. Yuan is
vious to 1909, with instruction in Occidental organization, and the best troops of the Empire in the matter of equip?
ment, were as well organized as the best by Yuan. schools, Yuan and almost has not been the best mills, in close touch
with
central
nor he has never visited, where China, of the great educational the foreigners with treaty ports of of Hong British and of the brilliant those sections, colony British and American in south with China, which, Kong China. for a reformed done most has possibly Shanghai, of China outside Yuan's proper was when only experience as a youth the army in Korea, he served twelve years with is practical Yuan little. itself he has traveled and in China An anecdote and cold; swift in action and severe at times. which jested throws with a light on his mentality a Red Cross that surgeon He is the following. he was taking a lot of
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
327
trouble; that while he had remade the man in sawing off his leg, he had not remade the soldier so far as he the com?
mander when was the that generally in populous concerned; China, let go. To err leg had to go, the whole man was to forgive is divine. In other countries than standpatters are now enrolled as enthusiastic
A man should not always be judged by his Progressives. for it is possible that he shall see a great light. Paul past,
was indeed a converted Saul. Dr. Sun Yat Sen's greatest
friend, Dr. Cantlie of London, who has recently issued a book, says that Yuan Shi Kai is overrated by the foreigners of north China, but Dr. Sun himself has time and again
vouched for the sincerity and enthusiasm of Yuan. The
future certainly is glorious with great possibilities. Dr. Sun Yat Sen (I would like to Latinize his name as Sunyacius just as we Latinized Kung Fut Tsze into Con?
fucius) is a Hong Kong product, and has been a revolutionist
and a republican from the beginning. As a boy he was fed on thrilling stories of the Taiping rebellion by his uncle, who had served as an officer in that rebellion against the
Manchus. by Dr. Sunyacius Kerr, of was born at Fatshan, seven miles in
the Anglo-American
whose office he studied medicine and English. He studied medicine and surgery under his greatest friend, Dr. Cantlie at what is now the medical department of Hong Kong Uni?
versity. opposition In 1892 Dr. from the Sun became the first Chinese prac?
ticing medicine
at beautiful Macao,
conservative
great
who
Portugese
in 1894 drove him to Canton. His father was a Chinese Christian evangelist, a Congregationalist (London Mission)
by denomination. work at Peking, Even Dr. Sun two years before Kang Yu Wei's arms into Canton, in 1895 smuggled forces at work, and received his first
got his revolutionary men to the Swatow of fire. not meeting Owing baptism men at Canton, the Hong Sun's plans in Kong collapsed a solicitor of Mr. 1895. the advice of Hong By Dennis, Kong, Dr. Sun fled to Kobe, picking Francisco, everywhere to Honolulu, Japan; of the up threads to San theme of
328
liberty.
disguises, and his
The world
but he is as well
London York, into he has walked s udents under the
had much to do with the change in the styles of clothing in China. He is an author having published in 1904 in Lon? don a book on The Chinese Question. The Manchus kept Dr. Sun out of China during the long years, and he is there? fore not yet thoroughly known to the Hupeh and Hunan province guilds, who fired the first successful shot, but he is the pick of the southern and the alien Chinese, who have largely financed reform and revolution; the Chinese of Can?
ton, Singapore, never and held Penang, under not well noble Hong the Manchus known Kong, Macao, America,
He has
abroad, salons or to
The
man who prepared the way for revolution mighty Wu Ting knows well was the Honorable and whom America itwas when a few perhaps their breath held Not Fang. announced had entered reformers in November, the strenuous to insist gentleman 1911, that this courtly arena. the first of the Wu was acknowledgment of the rebel
on foreign
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
329
government, and he formulated the most brilliant move of the revolution, the announcement that if foreigners advanced money to the imperialists, and the republicans won, the
latter would revolution, repudiate for numbers such of loans. the This really syndicates won were the at foreign
first heartily in favor of the Manchu statu quo. Wu has already codified the reform and penal laws of China, and is
prepared to enter upon that difficult question, extraterri?
toriality. Watch the Honorable Wu Ting Fang; he is not afraid to take the side of "China for the Chinese," although he is one of the most polished gentlemen inwestern culture of all the Chinese officials. He aims to interpret the East to the West. Wu risked vast preferment, and he will grow
in power er-in-law with the masses exceedingly of the Chinese able Dr. Ho nation. Kai, His broth? is the Commander
of the British Order of Michael and George, the Chinese member of the Legislative Council of the royal colony of Hong Kong island, a thorough legislator, a brilliant man.
There were other reformers in China and abroad at work
from 1898 to 1911, although the western press gave no attention to the really astonishing matter. The bitter Hunanese republican rebel, the irrepressible Hwang Shing, was also exiled by the Empress Dowager, Tse Hsi, in 1898, He fled to Japan with a price on his head. When the in October 1911, psychic moment was called at Wuchang
was soon on the ground. He was one of the repub? Hwang lican generals who and thus crowned captured Nanking, the revolution with and he is now at success, frequently the views of the Yangtze Peking, urging provinces.
In America,
Chinese Sen's World,
the
the
JOHN STUART THOMSON and oligarchism, some representation had which assemblies, for the privilege of
granted
popular in return
taxation. Japan had a Diet; even Russia had a Duma; the Filipinos had an Assembly; Turkey had an Assembly; little Persia had a representative Mejliss; native members had at last been admitted into the Viceroy's Council in India; and Hong Kong, with its 500,000 Chinese, had long had two Chinese as brilliant members of the Legislative
Council.
Viceroy Seu Ki Yu's essay of 1866, praising Washington and republicanism as ideal, was reissued and distributed, and had its influence. By 1909 and 1910 the reformers had compelled the Manchus to heed the howling of the wind,
and see the shadow of a cloud, at least as big as a man's
hand on the horizon of internal politics. The Manchus granted provincial and national assemblies, but they were called and considered only "Tsecheng Yuan" (advice boards) and not legislative bodies in the free and full sense of the
word. the The various pensions Chinese of cities the Manchus were and bannermen somewhat in and decreased
land was offered them so that they might enter the indus? trial body of the nation. Many Manchus rebelled, as at increased. Chingtu city in September, 1911. Argument
The cloud on the horizon monopoly complaint were the in any of the and to the court's province, ern provinces representation and schools grew larger. Objection of the rich copper mines was reiterated that while least was made of Yunnan the south?
overdeveloped
provinces
the armies
of Pechili,
Shantung
southern police
taxes collected,
largely in the
schools, neglected provinces, to get the Stuart and army divisions. date they at a belated and when to call Parliaments, kings some? for there was was than ever, louder did, complaint to and at last a constitutional to complain place of, thing little assemblies Chinese in. These repre? gave complain a high property to the masses, sentation qualifi? directly in of the guilds the gentry but cation them, debarring
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
331
many
cases,
espoused
the
reform
sentiment
of
the masses,
exactly as the Stuart Parliaments did to the disgust of the Stuart kings who hoped for monarchic support, and as the
barons of the "Magna Charta" did at Runnymeade to the
One provincial disgust of Plantagenet John of England. Assembly President we might note at this point. He is Tang Hua Lung, of the Hupeh Assembly. When Hankow was taken on October 13, 1911, Tang jumped to the front
as organizer with mother of the headquarters of first republican provincial the ancient at Wuchang, the most government, viceregal capi?
In the
province
politically of all the twenty-one, Kwangtung, Wu Hon Man agitated in his assembly for reform, and when the Imperial Viceroy, Chang Ming Chi fled to Hong Kong, Wu Hon Man burst into the Yamen at Canton with the rebelling 16th and other regiments, and took charge of that great
province of-Railways Kwangtung China's for the rebels. republican the Manchus scheme, railways, army was promising a territorial In its Nationalization the only in confiscated partially to pay the owners one. raised
this way are hard to control in local emergencies, but they are easier to recruit, mobilize, drill and discipline at the
than mixed corps. beginning from the Navy transferred ions, Among of divis? the generals was the famous Department,
Li Yuan Heng, on whom the republicans largely fixed their hopes as the man trained and true for the real deeds of
new governments arms, which make Prop? possible. are all right in their places, and patience but powder aganda of a stern mould, fit to deal with merci? needs a special man deadly less and terrible enemies. was de grace not General General another. Li was one of who these men; Hwang in the brilliant coup that 20th east their success of General General sent Hsu, was still another.
at Nanking,
You all know the details of the training of these men and
was the was an accident. army, Chang division of Peking, northern of the general at Lanchou, camped Shao Tsen (we will As
call him Chang the first to distinguish him from two other
JOHN STUART THOMSON of the Manchu camp Chang in the northeastern provinces). in a moment. at Nanking He will and come else? for?
In the province where Shanghai is located, the President of the Assembly, Chang Chien, who proposes to visit Amer?
ican Chambers was more of Commerce, than and who to declare is well known as the
Wu Ting Fang, was insistent on the abdication of theManchu dynasty, and the declaration of a republic. At Lhasa, in far away Tibet, was an Imperial resident who had been
trained in reform at Shanghai, and in law at Yale. He
was the eminent Wen Tsung Yao, destined to be the Assist? For ant Foreign Minister of the first rebel government.
new men the radical reformers were part however never as the Manchus had naturally to the world, unknown is a movement there to them. Whenever office given the most
towards liberty in Europe you generally find an English book, or an England-inspired man behind it. It will be noted that nearly all these Chinese reformers have come
under American influence.
Many causes, all important, helped to precipitate the crisis. Sheng Kung Pao and others had planned to compel the provinces and the gentry of the guilds, to sell out their
were to of which little railroads, well, many paying many national? to quickly intended which the central government, local loans. The immense railroads under ize the foreign
to of mines concessions opportunities; of the unscientific continuation interest; of as a security; and payment customs The bitter complaint city on written in blood, was: subject
this of Changsha it is hard to a piece of meat is in the thief's mouth, the Chinese not agree with All may it out." take position, of the to listen to the argument but it is legal and wise should we, it out of court. defense and not shout "Why with freight the and richest labor mines field; on with the richest passenger, earth; of water lands plethoric power
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
333
large meeting of protest held by the Chinese of British Hong Kong in the Chui Yin hotel on September 3, 1911,
delegates attending even from distant Szechuen province,
where
in which to and low say: the
the "Railroad
the
city inAugust,
"The
were made four banking in caricature nations wealth of the four provinces of the Yangtze to us four foreign nations to swal? south is all given at one "The in their A gulp." merchants own representative of Hupeh use native Hankow to urge the people and your own money
down wrote:
railways; liberty."
if
as the
example
Chinese make
of not
believe
slaves.
Even
chant does not fully agree with the local feeling of the Chi? nese, it is wise to look frankly at their side of the argument
in making financial in the and political educational, plans future. There was much that the Manchu complaint princes had accumulated hoards from the taxes levied largely private in the south. then was in Something brewing, especially the southern was and central eigner of the "Sia Hwei" guarantee ien province to the foreigners sentences the East as the home When will and forever the West. for besides lao" (head stand to be touched. provinces. I would Not a hair of a for? like to quote the written of Fuk time. Its between as good
These
sending men)
levies
foreigners
at Wuchang,
334 of the brave missionaries Shanghai, Hwang republicans shouted 30th sailed the
regiment on
aries out of the line of fire from Serpent Hill, and when the
the German soldiers revolutionary a peace message that will are brothers of ours." The freighter Belgravia of Generals Li endure heavy
:"American indemnities
amounting to the awful sum of $250,000,000 have been a heavy load upon the Chinese people of the south and central provinces, who had nothing to do with the persecution of foreigners in 1900. The Chinese of the taxed south greatly
appreciated likewise. therefore American and British of London and action now in return?
should do
supports such
oligarchies,
as John Richard Green's History of theEnglish People; books which helped to bring about the American revolution; the
American Henry missionary, Dr. Macklin's Chinese translation of of lib? and Poverty; great paeans Progress George's were and translated the world and political over, erty pain in 1897 It was written The book Service was re-read. read.
of Hupeh the son of a governor province. by Tan Sze Tung, for liberty, who were beheaded Tan was one of the martyrs The Crisis, which was good enough Paine's in 1898. Thomas
to be read by Washington
of
before battle
to the American
and read to the Chinese translated 1776, was regiments in Sep? dance was The opened preliminary republicans. Szechuen far western province, Peking 1911, by tember, "Whoever Gazette: in the yellow this edict Peking issuing shall serve of rules;" see! you cated us by killing regardless rebels, shall be rewarded or Tammany Beckerism a sort of Sicilian Mafia confis? had practically The Peking government
as the paper which of the Szechuenese, the railways of interest, were given bore no guarantee in exchange, they the security of was the value and no reliance put upon farmers. When bankers and the provincial gentry, by and provinces a fixed central states lose confidence which in is not government, of the sincerity run by responsi
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
335
ble parties which can be recalled, that government totters to its fall. A national anthem was given to the nation to
sing. China be preserved! May In this time of the Manchu dynasty, real splendor; the heavens protect the imperial May we are fortunate " family. to see
The south only sang it in parodies, and in September the men of Szechuen rebelled and "fired the shot heard round
the world." In a month, the soldiers of General Li's 8th
division atWuchang "fired the volley that was heard around the world." What followed rapidly lives in everyone's the rushing of northern troops by railway to the triple mind; cities at Hankow; the rolling to and fro of victory and
repulse. They out, would fire had were the General Li's troops, especially When the "Pu Pa Tsze" ran daring.
given recruited
steel, across an area swept by cause and not the command, of these men were courage. Many famous boatmen rapids and the of the world, sublime gorges Province almost as
the most
Szechuen cheerful
the wild
after province
liberty. occurred
in the fold of
hard to administer.
among the
in the Lanchou first, as we have called him, mustered camp, formed the famous Army League, and made reform demands on the packed National at Peking, Assembly just as Caesar's immortal 13th legion, before the rebellion, sent demands to the Roman to take. and are whose orders Senate, they were supposed The nineteen were constitutional articles granted a sort of Magna in China. Charta On Novem
336
a million
village. On the republican right wing at glorious Nanking, General Chang Hsun (we will call him Chang the second) was the imperial commander. He led his 9th division in
similar bloody massacres as those which occurred at Hankow.
On November 26,1911, the republicans under Generals Hsu and Hwang Shing attacked the strong hill forts above Nan?
king with the feats determination. of cause solid the new Dogged Chinese The charges were made the Chinese was gray not across
fighting as Pickett's
tysburg; Thomas' impetuous charge up Missionary Ridge; the shining Cuirassiers' wild ride into the valley of death at Waterloo; Linievitch's grim defense of Putiloff Hill; the
shouting or the of Oku's up Nanshan sweep Japanese massive ranks of Oyama's silent plunge or against the black Mukden valley, Heights, into the
lines. It Liaoyang as any land was as determined, however daring and brilliant or Spanish-American in the South African wars, engagement the theatrical than and stronger far braver and engage? ments, world's war. The of the Italy-Tripoli air ship accessories now change A strong their criterions. must critics a strong battle the world cause will make over, anywhere or the cut or tint no matter the color of the soldier, what with
Liberty
what
It song of Liberty. sang a rugged it has poetical not only because merit, ing, and is working it shows the spirit that was
men:
Freedom will work on this earth, Great as a giant rising to the skies, Come Liberty, because of the black hell of our slavery, Come enlighten us with a ray of thy sun.
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
337
Behold the woes of our fatherland. Other men are becoming all kings in equality. Can we forget what our people are suffering? China, the widest and oldest, is now as an immense
desert.
We are working to open a new age in China; All real men are calling for a new heaven and a new earth. the soul of the people now rise as high as Kwangtung's May highest peak; Spirit of Freedom, The Americans lead, protect of Nanking, us. Messrs. Macklin, Garrett,
in the Chinese saying "Chiu Blackstone, Bowen, (save blood). They pleaded with the victorious Ming" republican generals Hsu and Hwang Shing for the first believed
humanitarian surrender in Chinese civil war, were as a thrilling
like George
patriots and
at heart, and nor mere under fighting of a great cause. Generals Ling, Hsu, Li, Hwang, rose to of course Foreign Minister Wu Ting Fang, to a surrender level. honors. with They agreed
The panting troops held enthusiam in control. Behind the walls the Imperialists breathed hard as well they might,
seeing what they deserved, and the great honor Peace!" deadly populace too. The of shop?
Hurrah!
yes, ''Great the
four-point-sevens;
the spitting rapid fire, the 3-inch Krupp guns on Purple, Lion and Tiger hills held their smoky breath like good
hounds in leash, but straining. The generals and cap?
tains marked time; the troops craned their heads; the Can? tonese artillery hitched up the limbers to the gun carriages
for their work thanked that ness Not gress American of war was over. on The American of peace scene, and led the way God, never would the moving forget over revenge. towered all of us moved in the Occident Even in China. missionaries for a China where as fast some forgive? as pro? of the
JOHN STUART THOMSON recommend of government to and the adoption of every nation." Sen was day that Dr. Sun Yat their form
applause, instance,
named President, the New York Outlook December 30, 1911, (the writer of the article was not Colonel Roosevelt) stated that a Chinese republic could, would and should
not be set up at present, and further that "Americans doubtless
thought that if Homer could sometimes nod, such surpris? ingly retrogressive words as these might be forgiven the generally progressive Outlook. Similarly inEngland, mother of books and sons of liberty, the large London banking house of Montagu, which has been prominent in China, issued
a circular almost lost Hankow of Memoria the republicans when its "satisfaction" stating under atrocious to General circumstances Feng massacre arson. and monumental unforgivable longa; lingua brevis! So far, the strongest move
in the rebellion was the declaration of Foreign Minister Wu Ting Fang at Shanghai that ifBritain joind certain monarch?
ical powers in loaning the north money, a trade boycott
in the southern and central provinces against foreign trade, of which Britain held the largest share. This won Hong Kong, and Hong Kong was able to hold It was a British diplomacy on Downing Street, London. would be instituted
master Whatever ever in move, comes the heart as brilliantly in the next effective as Napoleon's cry surely "Long Berlin is for? live across the the
decree of November
republican
erty in good narrowing between
the missionaries
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
339
birthday (think of it, America), February 12, 1912. On February 15 the Christian Chinese Provisional President, at Nanking, Sun Yat Sen, performed a remarkable act of
self-sacrifice doughty to induce tionary, Yuan the to win to the north the was join vehement Here and induce for republicanism, cause. He was also able great to accept the who largely former reac? had achieved
south
Yuan.
the man
republicanism laying by all its honors at the climacteric moment in favor of the man who had most powerfully withstood republicanism. Yet Sun was happy. China was happy. Yuan was happy. With the least bloodshed ever known on a field of liberty, Sun and his cabinet had achieved the widest revolution ever known. They had established
a republic of America. British in the becoming of twenty-one They will American for the republics be managed systems, strong in America times the population a combination of the by as their bulk is too great which certain is now evils for correct four
and
aggregate popular
centralization to
the time being. The provincial republics will develop largely as units, until the individual is educated sufficiently for
For a while, cohesion. the greater out work like the Mexican system, seem to may republic but a dictator-pres?
Sun Yat
prophet,
dreamer,
and political philosopher, the modern world has known; not that he is brainier than the white man, but being a
yellow man, white man. more to accomplish than any to the hearts His reception of all men, at least the reception of his should be enthusiastic. He cause, scores stands not alone. The of idealists and fighters of he has been able
will
men who the way made for the constructive cabinet, now are now our take hold, and some of these men in America. Above Yuan guests all, Sun converted by his and Yuan converted the obstructionist self-obliteration, north. if the Honanese What Yuan is at the head of affairs for a while both the Chinese center of Canal instead of and now both the Kwangtungese are republicans. stage, reach Sun. China has at are They now has built the the stage.
his
Panama
long
parts,
house is filling up rapidly to hear, and see, and applaud, if all is done well, as it should be. When the Assemblies
succeed each other, Dr. Sun's turn as Premier or President is room for
will doubtless
pathies, all in twenty-one
come.
or overleaping
republics,
wealth.
the ambition
As Macaulay
It which
state."
is repression of individual resentment and so govern? has made England and America
able, and it is something that China will learn as the years of stress surge about the ship of state. The title of captain or president amounts to very little in the light of patriotism;
all aboard the ship are equal when it comes to manning
the pumps and shortening or letting out sail according to the winds that blow. Parties will arise like Sun's new party the Tung Men Hwei (Sworn Brother); provincial feeling
will we be recrudescent and assertive; leaders and their fol
learn, as
documents
up
But Washington
laid the
Napoleon
and
THE REPUBLICAN
REVOLUTION
IN CHINA
341
in the state. A saloon keeper, who brought 2000 votes would demand for instance the position of Secretary of State. "But you're not fitted for it; you're a hoodlum," The ward
heeler would our answer: "I must have it; I have to pay my
he led a following of 2000 non-descript men who did effec? tive work in fighting. They were men who loved a fight more than liberty, not liberty more than life, like Nathan
Hale. When the republic was victorious, and his troops
were
disbanded and paid, Shek was unsatisfied. He, a hawker, wanted high office when even President Sun turned his brother down from politics back to business in Canton, because he was not eminent for political ability. Shek made men that the State could not demands for himself and his
consistently in reprisal He grant. smuggled on the harassed State. arms The to way take the up piracy governor
of Canton treated Shek and his legal adviser Chang Han Hing should be engraved on tablets in every city hall of
every under over the round world. The municipality the constitutional of public opinion, pressure at their headquarters, the men and under military shot That to the great rejoicing of good citizens and ended one instance of heelerism, bossism, governor captured law, or
the application
mary,
graft," China. cynicism
professional
piracy, The of
office holding,
like to call it, in modern you was a success, recall" the "popular despite one of those in Canton, the standpatters and was Shek's who shared wily lawyer Chang,
or whatever
I am sorryWilliam
that time to write to us lies that has in three congress, come
may China
Confucius
railways,
largely republican
342
the National
sword's China. point,
Assembly
to accept
at Peking
certain
in July,
1912, at the
against
appointments be
will, was
of constitutionalism
remembered forever
in
Macaulay's
(essay on Milton)
the destinies
has
of the human
reason why in be keenly and warmly interested so many American of China, because affairs.
affairs (the Panama Canal and the Pacific being the bonds)
are wrapt in Chinese