The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-05
A Lack Of Cohesion Among the
Revolutionary Leaders
Has Brought the Country to the
Verge of Anarchy.
LEADER is LACKING.
Both Sides in the Struggle Are
Facing Bankruptcy.
Violence and Robbery Are Wide
Spread and Unrestricted.

Shanghai, Dec. Each day brings
keener apprehension that China is
drifting into a political chaos. AL
though the fundamental aims of the
present revolutionary movement are
worthy, theq are brought to naught
by lack of cohesion, lack of funds and
lack of real leader The situation in
spires the most pessimistic forebOOing
from impartial observers.
The revolutionary JunJas here are
now marking time. awaiting the ar
rival of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who is eX-
pected at any moment 1t is hoped
that he may prove to be the leader
whom every one is seeking. If he can
line up the. various revolutionary
chiefs and unity the movement, a.
solution of China's troubles may be
There are discussions everywhere
among the rebels, especially at the
WI Chang and Marking headquarters
The fall of Han Yang last week
proves to have been due entirely to
wholesale assertions of rebel troops
enrolled in Human province Some
say that the soldiers were bought by
Yuan Shi ka1, but most persons at
tribute the assertions to the old time
jealousy between the people of HUI
nan and Hupeh. The defections
would probably have been prevented
had q strong leader been in command
of the situation The rebel general.
Huang Sing. who was at WI Chang
as second in command to General Lii
time before the imperialists regained
that city He arrived in Shanghai
this week and Immediately proclaim
ed himself generalissimo of the revo-
1utiOnary forces and assigned to Ii a
subsidiary place. Huang asserts that
he has been given the right to name
a temporary premier or educator to
act pending the election of a preSi-
dent He is now making plans, he
says. for an overland advance on
Picking through Shan Tung province.
II Has Been Expensive.
The complete collapse of the impe-
rial COVE vnme emit is regarded as immi-
nent and there is as yet nothing stable
to take its place. The revOlutionists
have thus far been incapable of eff
fecting any cohesion among themselves
and unless 1Or. Sun Vat Sen proves to
he the man of the hour they will be
found far less efficient if called on to
take IN the responsibility of a ma
tional government. The cost of the
struggle thus Tar has been far greater
than is easily realized Apart from
the losses of ca mFaign and battlefield
it has plunged a majority OF the pro-
vfnces into poverty and famine, it has
all comm cree and trade, Grip
pied agriculture and industry and di-
verified practically every penny of tax
from the purposes of peace
The moral effect On the people at
large is another matter Reports from
the interior indicate that conditions
everywhere are growing worse. Brl-
gandage is almost the only profitable
profession left to a people hitherto
peaceable and orderly Millions are
within a radius of a few hum
dred miles OF Shanghai
Robbery and Violence.
In increasing numbers there are
brought to this city accounts of rob-
berries and violence and even the kill
ing of Europeans has ceased to be ex-
ceptional in the absence of law and
order. Close observers are more and
more uneasy regarding the prospects
for foreigners in the Immediate future.
Facts are hard TO get at Both sides
are financially close to bankruptcy and
realize that their first need is to es
tablish credit. In the hope OF secur-
ing assistance abroad they are unspar
ing in the use of legitimate and ille-
climate means to influence opinion.
News is censored and colored to suit
the purposes of those in control.
Some of the accounts of barbarities
and atrocities may have been exaggera-
ted, but it must be remembered that
many things which make the westerner
shudder cause no disturbance to the
nerves of the oriental
A group of refOrmers is holding a con-
vention here claiming to represent the
revolutionists of the entire country.
The delegates assert that they are auth