Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-23
CHINESE REFORMS LAG
Story of the Downfall of Tang
Shac vi. *
GRADUATED FROM YALE
Disaffection in His Very Much Ad-
vertised Army.
MANY YOUNG MEN ALIENATED
Revolutionary Party Has Been Great
ly Strengthened by the Condi-
dions-The Opium Traffic.
GRADUATED FROM YALE
MANY YOUNG MEN ALIENATED

LONDON, April 23.-The progress OF the
reform movement in China is described
Gom a point of view much less eulogistio
than recent reports from English news
paper correspondence in a letter received
here from Picking. The writer is for
eigner holding official position who has op-
portunities for gaining reliable information
and whose judgment is worthy OF the
greatest confidence. He tells the inner
story OF the downfall OF Tang-Shac-Yi the
Yale graduate who. until recently was one
of the most powerful men near the court:
he speaks of disaffection in Yuan Shi-Kafs
much advertised army, and takes dis
couraging view of the governments fnan-
cial status of the attempts at educational
| reform and the suppression Of opium.
The letter follows:
After the startling edicts of last au-
tumn, says the writer, "rcorganZlng the
central government. there came reaction.
Its cause cannot be stated definitely. but
1t is probably two fod-the rapid spread OF
revolutionary ideas among the students in
Japan and the foreign-educated Chinese at
home, and. secondly, the success OF con-
sentative intrigue at the court, inspired by
jealousy.
The Reform Programs.
THE approval Of the imperial court TO
the reform programs doubt given
with the object. in part of taking the wind
out of the sails of the revolutionists, but
the fact that in spite of the proposed meas
ures. the party kept up its activity and was
recruiting rapidly a great discour-
agement and has aroused fear
AS a consequence all men of modern ed
ucation have come more less under sus-
picion
servatives to intrigue successfully against
such men Yuan Sh-Kai and his protege
Tang SHAGGY. Tang Shac-Yi had been
made senior vice president of the new board
of communications. and secured some of
the most important posts for his friends
who have a foreign education. One of these
is young S. Alfred SEE. who is a graduate of
Cornell and accomplished man. Tnfor-
tunately SEE is related by marriage to Tang
and technically it was improper to appoint
him. This gave the conservatives the
chance which they sought. They impeached
Tang. saying that the board of communica-
tons was nothing but n Canton club house.
and filled with Tang's relatives and
friends, though SEE seems to have been the
only man related to him. Two severe edicts
were issued, reproving Tang. and one OF
them removed SEE and another under secre-
| tary from office incapable.
| Alternating Young Men.
ut looks as though the government was
| doing everything to ALLEVIATE the young
| men educated abroad and thus to play
| right into the hands of the revolutionists
| THE floods in Human. Kiangsi and
1 Kiangsu last summer. and the resulting
| famine have greatly strengthened the rev.
dictionary party. Many men have been
driven into brigandage. In Kiangsi the
| revolutionary bands received many re-
| cruits that they were able to inaugurate
the rebellion some weeks ago. 1t is report
ed suppressed by the authorities, but the
real situation is unknown. Large quantities
Of arms and ammunition were smuggled
into the country from Japan, and the
l1,ntc hoy ,tat,,
Gus region where Ii is easy to elude pur-
suit and just as easy to cut off small bands
of troops. Many of the imperial soldiers
are said to be surrendertng without much
resistance and thus turning over their
arms to the rebels. 1t is said in Picking
that 20 per cent or more Of the troops in
the Yangtse region are disaffected.
''Discouraging facts have come to light
in connection with the northern army.
which was supposed to be thoroughly
loyal. Now that Yuan no longer COM
mands, there is want of promptfess in
paying the mems wages and corresponding
discomfort.
The Revolutionary Movement.
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 in it.
THE result of the suspicion and fear
which prevail is a general feeling OF I'M
rest and a sackening of the wheels of
progress. The reforms instituted on paper
have never really gone much beyond this
initial stage except in the matter of educa-
ton and the army. But even in these de-
partments there is being felt now the lack
of properly qualified men to carry out the
program.
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 eradcated, but the method employed
that of increased taxation, does not seem
likely to accomplish much, 1t has led to
a great increase of revenue and the gov
eminent 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 govern
ment does not seem to be an enviable one
The provincial governments hard
pressed by the demands for the indemnity
and the many reforms inaugurated and by a
loss of part of their opium revenue, which
now goes to the imperial treasury"