New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-22
FEARS CHINESE REVOLT-
Missionary Thinks Rebellion in Can
ton Is Probable.

A letter has just been received at the. head
quarters Of the Board of Foreign Missions of
the Presbyterian Church from one Of the medi-
cal missionaries OF the board now in China, de-
scribing the conditions around Canton. Accord
ing TO DR.. J. NJ. Swan. the writer Of the letter.
only leader is necessary for a widespread re-
belIion in that part Of China. He says that
certainly before twelve months have passed a
decided change in the government may Do eN-
pected and that whether ii will be accomplished
by force OF arms or not is yet TO be determined
DR. Swan also tells Of a change which is taking
place In Canton itself, which promises 20 do
away entirely with the artistic effect character
izing the city up TO this time. The letter, "h!'h
was furnished to The Tribune by DR.. Arthur J.
Brown, the secretary Of the Presbyterian board.
follows:
You may be interested IN word 10 general
conditions here in South China There is unQues-
tionably unrest among the people generally that
much anxiety. The home papers have no
doubt, commented on the recent disorders tnat nave
prevailed different parts Of this province during
the last few weeks. First reports reaching US from
near Pakhoi QAmchow) and to the east near S"a=
tow, were exaggerated, but have been proved to DC
of A serious nature Several oihclaIS were NUT
dered By an enraged mob which government troops
have now scattered. That was IN the SWatoW re-
eion To the south well beyond Ieungkong, tho
rebellion IS stronger. and order has not yet been
restored Thirty miles west OF Canton II Is deh-
ritely reported that some eight or ten thousand
people are engaged in destructive clan night.
Canton IS largely denuded OF troops at present
and our daily paper says martial Ia" Is Hke4y 10
he rrorIairued | ice indication Tor BuCh meas
,Ires unless as a precautiOn. The people are gen
eralIv friendly though the anu-foreiSn spirit IS
more pronounced. With true leader the blaze OF
YeheI1Icr would almost certainly break out and II
"a II would be very hard TO repress. High prices
for foodstfs increased taxation and the IeaFen OF
Western learning are apparently bringing ABOUT
crisis It may be week. and It may be year,
but the people plainly show they nave ABOUT
reached the limit
Within tia last three four days the streets OF
Canton have so changed IN appearance as 10 Dc
hardly RECOGNIZABLE TO those familiar WIN tHeit
some two weeks 90 proclamation issued through
the central police department ordered the removal
az all shop signs petty dealers stands. etc WhisH
r,r,tecfed beyond the front Of all buildings
RMS order is being carried into effect. and the Lli
~ tfyna for CON pIetion Of the work IS June :" Az
over the city the streets present strange anu
mist saw an uucomey appearance. with the thou-
earda Of CAV c0lored signs withdrawn TO even
I+b tho mon entrances There seems to be no
bad feeling over this marked change. Indeed NE
reople seem 70 appreciate the Increase or s'''4ts
- frlsr air the change has brought about, also
the easier means Of getting about
An order is now out for all buildings on each sue
~ tho great street leading directly through te cry
from the East TO West gate to take OF I'VE le'
frorn the front Of each building, thus adding zen
feet 10 the width of the public street Inns - O
Ifcved 10 De the initial part OF larger sciei"t 10
widen ali principal tlOrougrfaTes one tang seems
: certain. The gay and somewhat arilSic eiit1L 30
,bsracteristic o. the streets Of canton Is SoIe'
v~ofably forever. The Chinese are certainly deter
I mined TO pTogTyss.