The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-05
MICHIGAN Man THINKS
CHINESE REBELS NOT ABLE
TO GOVERN THEMSELVES
DR.. c. L. Tompkins, of Benton
Harbor, Is Now Missionary
in the Celestial Empire.
LIMITED MONARCHY HOPE.
Believes This Will Suffice Until
Progressives Have Educated
Themselves.
LIMITED MONARCHY HOPE.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich, Dec. s.
A limited monarchy is the hope of
China, says DR.. c. f. Tompkins, a
Benton Harbor Baptist missionary
who is now in China Dr. and Mrs.
Tompkins have been doing missionary
work In the east for several years
Following four mouths vacation
they returned 10 China last fall ar
irving as the revolution began TO
break out
In a letter just received here from
the doctor, he says:
Until the masses are educated
Republican form of government will
be unwise. They are dependent on
gossip oi the teashop for their ideas
and knowledge of national affairs, and
are as susceptible 10 the varying and
conflicting reports as the weather
Tane is TO the wind. NJ "a tiIu
educated Chinese realize this and
hope TO avert such serious mistake
If possible. A limited monarchy is
the hope OF China at present.
Utmost sympathy is shown the re-
volutionists, writes the missionary.
The. Manchu rule Is surely doomed
even though il survives the present
movement"
The doctor is at Shanghai, where
many other missionaries are now con
sregated, having come into the city
from interior points
1T is really remarkable" writes the
doctor. how we'll the rebels are able
TO control matters. But one cannot
but fear the results OF new and un-
tried movement as IL attempts the ad-
ministration OF complex situation,
such as found here"
The fall of the native city of Shang-
hal is interestingly told by the doc
tor. There was very little loss OF life
he says
There was little resistance or op-
position he writes, except feeble
attempt at resistance In the great ar
senal. On Thursday night telephone
message was received that the I'M
ljerfaf afsenal had been taken and
with two others hurried down town
10 what is known as Newspaper
Row. where Chinese newspapers are
printed, to see what was posted on
the bulletin boards. Well, it was a
sight 10 look down that street, one
not easily forgotten. The street for
nearly a block was simply crowded
Win eager DuN fOullcOuS NhlhNoV
gentlemen, all intent on war news
However we heard nothing about the
old native city and returned home
feeling that the news was an unfound
ed rumor. But by Saturday the rumor
had been replaced by actual fact and
by noon thousands of the' Chinese
stores in the settlement we're flying
the white flag OF the revoutionists.
Saturday afternoon several foreigners
went over to the native city and visit
cd the region Of the arsenal. There
were great crowds Of people and
soldiers-the latter wearing a white
bond around the left arm, but the
heartiest of good will prevailed. In
fact the revolutionists seemed pleased
10 have the foreigners among them.
The wounded were cared for by the
Chinese Red Cross society and were
given excellent surgical attention
The doctor tells Of the beginning OF
the rebels navy through the capture
Of several gunboats.
More peacefully than the fall OF
native Shanghai was the fate OF q
fleet OF Chinese gunboats which had
come down from Hankow,' he writes.
'They left HanllUw for lack OF coal
and ammunition expecting TO meet a
lighter Of coal which a Shanghai tug
was towing Up the river. But this
coal was confscated by the revofti-
tionists at the Kiul,iana forts. al
though the tug was flying the English
Gag. The revolutionists got into com
mnnication with the British consul,
who agreed that they we're right in
holding the boats As the Chinese
boats attempted to run the forts they
were fired upon and il is reported
that out OF q feet Of seven only four
got down in safety without hope OF
escaue. with hearts that really rang
true for the revolutionary cause the
sailors were glad TO be able to strike
the Imperial flag and hoist the rebel
colors.
DIR. Tompkins throws an interesting
eidelght OH the cause of the revolu-
tion.
II learn that the uprising was due
IN renorts that we're rife concerning
the foreign loan for the Szechuan
railroad" writes the missionary. The
people are not opposed 10 loan. but
they heard that the government was
making this loan for scores OF mil
lions without consulting the local par
ties who had already raised millions
of dollars and which they feared
would be taken up by the government
and not returned 20 them. No doubt
a large percentage would thus be eat
on Hp. But the ultimate success of
the movement is going to- -deHeHa- on
the humber of Chinese troops and of
flcers that leave the regular army to
ioin the revolutionists. And thus far
they nave gone over in large NUM-
bers."