The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-28
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IS. 1911


THE PASSING OF \ POWERFUL DYNASTY.
Since 1914. when the Manchus founded The
rising dynasty in the Chinese Empire. they
have ruled in unbroken. though not undisturo-
ed. succession the Chinese people. The boy
emperor. who at present occupies the throne,
Is the tenth ruler Of this succession
The latest news from the far East, however,
would indicate that the grip of the Manchus
upon the throne of china is AT the breaking
point and that larger independence awaits the
demands Of the teernng millions OF that ma
tion
This greatest OF all nations in area, popula-
ton and natural resources has been torn by
perpetual struggle between the people and the
Imperial government. the people demanding
Of ruler who claimed absolute sovereignty
greater freedom in the government of their
! local affairs. The present revolution Is the
nf,h since the great Boxer rebellion OF 1900,
and BY far the most momentous
The army Of China is totally, almost
ridieulously inadequate to the demands OF de-
4 fense against foes without and indictments
~i,hin that any considerable uprising of the
neope would achieve victory were no foreign
nower 10 interfere in behalf OF the throne In the
present instance the uprising of the reVoiu-
tiouists has been widespread and their spiri'
20 determined that general and feartai reVo-
fr,ion was ON the verge OF being preeipitateo
had not the government indicated It's "lii'hs
ness tn aeeede 10 their demands THIS appear
the case since the imperial government mas al
The demand of the revolutionsts deposed Ger
tain Objectionable officials and released from
imprisonment many of those who mad lhc'ee
ID riot and violence and had been appfehehuee
by the imperial forces
Two things seem to be uppermost IN the de
.sres If the Chinese masses, the substitution
Or constitutional government for 'he PreSen
Nanchu reign and the elimination or forelsh III
Auepees from the internal government ana
4 deve,opment OF China 1t is difficult to deternih
which the chlnaman hates most cordially III
D uanchne ruler or the foreign devil
CHINA has been rapidly, in recent years &C
national self consciousness. These pee
/ r,e have reached pretty large understanding
their greatness and their wonderful possio'hue'
4, The same time has been born the desire
p,i,ize their own people in the development
their own resources and the making OF 'he'
avn history This national spirit Is one
tbe factors in the present unrest. "hethe
there il ve, a sufficient strength OF characer an
4he intellectual ability 10 meet and solve IN
vast nroblems OF developing civilization re
mains 10 be seen Naturally China desires
uark out its own destiny without foreign IN
reference. If this be possible.
Al anv rate the world will welcome IN
news that by liberal concessions Peking IA
urohabIy ayerted the possibility OF such rev
,ution as was inevitable among the seethln
masses of China's millions. Imagination
hafaed in the attempt to understand what IN
ternal warfare among four hundred milllo
peoue would mean BY the institution Of cor
stftutioual government. as seems al preser
i.key. a worldwide calamity will be averte
md a local situation relieved Of the possib!iif
Of destruction. death and financial disast'
which could hardly be reckoned.
let ms hone that China viii prove herse
rossessed Of the craftsmanship. the sanity
mind and the mastery Of self that win be nece
sarv 10 bring order out of chaos and TO gulc
r-i,h unerring vision and with firm hand II
greatest OF nations along the pathway OF su
progress.