Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-04-30
REVOLT IN Chinese
empire Is growing
LETTER FROM OFFICIAL TELLS
OF WIDESPREAD DisAFFEc-
TloN IN THE ORIENT.
TROOPS SURRENDERlNG
ARMS TO THE REBELS
Great Disaffection Among Soldiers In
Yangtse Reglon-Promised Rene
dies for Conditions Said to Be
Only Paper Ones.

London, April 24.-The progress of
the reform movement in China is de-
scribed from a point of view much
less eulogistic than recent reports
from English newspaper correspond
ence in letter received here from
Picking. The writer is foreigner,
holding official position, whose oppor-
tunities for gaining reliable informa-
ton and whose judgment are worthy
Of the greatest confidence. He tells
the inner story of the downfall of
Tang-Shao-Yo, the Yale graduate, who,
until recently was one of the most
powerful men near the court. He
speaks of disaffection in Yuan-Shih-
kais much advertised army and takes
discouraging view of the govern
ment's financial status, of the at
tempts at educational reform and the
suppression of the opium trade.
J., Says Rebels Are Strong.
The floods in Human, Kianksi and
Kiangsu last summer and the result
ing famine, says the writer, have
greatly strengthened the revolution
airy party. Many men have been
driven into brigandage. In Kiangsi
the revolutionary bands received so
many recruits that they we're able
to start the rebellion some weeks ago
1t is reported suppressed by the au
,thorities, but the real situation is
unknown. Large quantities of arms
and ammunition were struggled into
the country from Japan, and the reb-
els have been operating in a mountains
Gus region, where it is easy to elude
pursuit, and just as easy to cut off
small bands of troops. Many of the
Imperial soldiers are said to be sur
rendering without much resistance,
and thus turning over their arms to
the rebels. 1t is said in Peking that
70 per cent. or more of the troops in
the Yangtse region are disaffected
Discomfort in South.
''Discouraging facts have come to
light in connection with the northern
army, which was supposed to be thor
oughly loyal Now that Yuan no long.
er commands, there is want of prompt,
ness in paying the mems wages and
corresponding discomfort.
There is another feature of the
present revolutionary movement that
distinguishes it from other rebellious
,,conspiracies in the past, and that is
the high character of many of those
engaged.
The result of the suspicion and
fear which prevail is a general feel.
ing of unrest and slackening of the
wheels of progress. The reforms in
stituted on paper have never really
gone much beyond this initial stage,
except in the matter of education and
the army. But even in these de-
partments there is being felt now
the lack of properly qualified men to
carry out the programme.
Opium Trade Aids Government.
There is no doubt a real desire on
the part of some of the promoters of
the anti-opium crusade to have the
opium-smoking habit eradicated, but
the method employed, like that OF
increased taxation, does not seem like
ly to accomplish much, as it has led
to great increase of revenue, and
the government is in such sore need
of funds that it is doubtful if the
reduction in cultivation of the poppy
will be seriously carried out.
The financial condition of the gov.
eminent does not seem to be an en-.
viable one. The provincial govern.
ments are hard pressed by the de
mands for the indemnity and the
many reforms started and by loss
of part of their opium revenue which
now goes to the imperial treasury