Omaha daily bee., 1907-06-30
She May Impsrt to Her Neighbo
Tricks Of Civilization.
TROUBLE WOULD SURELY FOLLOW
Present Uprising Results from Purely
Economical Causes.
LITTLE AETI-FoREIGN sENT1MEN,
Those who Know Oriental Minds
However, Do Not Place Reliance
n Assurances that Outsiders
wtII he safe.

win be interested in learning that the situa-
tion In China today Is one that calls for
watchfulness but not for acute alarm. The
key TO the situation In the orient CONNER
Scally and from military point Of view is
Japan and not China. II Japan should
ONCE conclude to teach the Chinese all the
Tricks Of modern civilization and then in
aukurate a war OF the yellow races against
thd white the most serious struggle in hun
dreds Of years-perhaps in the history OF
the world-might be precipitated. The
fersnent caused by the reform movement
in China, the revolutionary ideas carefully
fostered by the great army of 14,0Oo youths
studying last year in Japan, and the chang
ing economic conditions brought about by
the direct introduction of the methods of
western civilization are all making them
selves felt A few more victories gained
ny the rebels such as they have already
gained in several places against the i'm
perial troops will enormously increase their
numbers. The revolutionary party, their
natural ally. has arms, money and organi-
zation. If the anti-dynastic revolution
lists and the peasant rebels work together
the situation will undoubtedly take on
more sinister aspect.
One of Many symptoms.
The rebellion in the southern provinces,
which has been attracting so much atten-
ton is really only one of several symptoms
OF grave disturbances that have made
their appearance during the last half year.
The revolutionary party, which aims at
overthrowing the present Manchu ruling
family and putting a purely Chinese em-
peror on the throne. has recently shown
renewed life. Its leader, Sun Vat Sen, is
familiar to Americans and Europeans as
the man who was sensationally arrested
some years ago by the Chinese legation
ofhcials in Portland Place, London. Sun
has recently made Japan his center Of
opecations and has introduced large guam
titles of arms from Japan into China.
There has been a recrudescence of the ac-
tivisies OF the secret societies recently. The
Cinlden Pill society OF Shantuns-directly
connected with the old Boxer movement
has been very busy since last autumn. To
the south OF Kwangsi. where much Of
the present trouble now is the Big Leg 90
GAety (To-TRi-huD began open demonstra-
tions last November its leaders going in
bands from village to village with white
nags. calling upon the people to rise.
From Manchuria, In the north, to Kwangsi
in the south, there has been a series of
demonstrations often accompanied by
bIoodshed against increased taxation and
the ever-rising cost of living
The primary cause OF the present rising
in Kwangtung and Kwangsi is purely
economic. AS all the world knows Central
china is now suffering from severe famine,
a famine whose grim and tragic horrors
will scare bear description. Many scores
OF thousands of people have died and are
dying from absolute starvation. This fam
Inc has naturally affected the price of food
in the south. In addition heavy floods last
year swept away considerable portion of
the southern rice crops and there has been
. drouth recently which made the transit
Of food supplies along tbs waterways slow
and costly.
A Turbulent People.
In consequence of a combination OF cir
cumstances therefore the peasantry or the
Two Kwangs have felt the pinch Of hunger.
They are turbulent and somewhat pas
sionate people. men from whom the river
pirates of the south are recruited and frorE
whose country rebellion after rebellion has
started In the past. They are not Of the
kind that calmly endures want. The Chi
nese government is paternal and IL the
people lacR food the authorities are ex-
pected 70 provide It for them.
Early this year In order to remind the
imperial authorities of their duty the
,people in several districts rose in revolt
These uprisings were not purely local dis
turbances. 1t was noted that before th'
men Of one town took up arms others from
many parts around came to them. Al
Tungchow several thousand people marched
through the streets. burst open the stores
looted all food supplies and swept the sol
diers on one side. In the country dlstric
20 the hack of Swatow numbers OF officials
were assassinated and their yRmen burnt
Tho mob had few weapons, bat they wert
badly opposed by the alarmed and poorly
disciplined soldiery Of the old type. Had
there been few regiments OF modern
trained Chinese soldiers. such as are t
be found in Chih-l, the uprising Nigh
have been nipped in the bu dat the oom
menoement. AS it was the imperial sol
dieTs were defeated several times and tn
rebels gained courage II gradually be
y came apparent that the men in various dis
tricts were working together.
Pirates aud BriEands Appear.
To add to the trouble large numbers o
pirates and brigands made their appear
anoe The creeks and riverways Of tn
south are notoriously unsafe, but durinl
the last three or four months they hav
simply been haunted by innumerable ma
rauders. Brigands organized after the man
ner OF the Hughtuzes OF the north hav
spread their activities throughout the prov
inces Merchants who could have importe
stores Of rice have been prevented fror
Going so because il has been unsafe 20
them TO bring In any supplies even unde
tary escort. In some parts the brigand
rave demanded regular toll on every poun
g.. .oe Imported. Rich men have been kid
raped and held for ransom. killed or badl
Gtilated.
fhe common people have been worke-
pon by ali kinds OF humoTs. At othe
mes such rumors have been directe,
ainst the foreigners. Here there ha
rcen little IN the way OF suggestions 20
Cnu-foreign agitation. Even IN those part
where excitement has been the highes
tav foreigners have been left alone Blu
the ofncials have been accused OF robbin
the poor OF their rice and the grand mer
(Continued on second Paxe1