Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-10-13
REVOLUTION IN CHINA.
Civil War is Reaching Great Proper.
tions. o.

Hankow, China, October 11.SChi-
nese revolutionary forces have won, a
decisive victory, gaining possession iof
the city Of WI Chang, after a battle
with loyal troops that began yester-
day and continued until late last night.
Today the foreign residents had not
been molested. The revolutionary
committee issued a proclamation ex-
horting it's followers not to harm the
citizens of other countries. The fact
that the wishes Of the committee have
been respected thus far, while reas-
suring to other nations, Is in itself a
sinister sign for the government at
Pekin, as it indicates that the rebel
lious movement is thoroughly organ
lied.
Earlier outbreaks had assumed the
character Of rioting in which the mobs
were soon worked out Of the control
Of intelligent leadership, thus making
their defeat by the better directed
government troops comparatively easy.
The fear of the officials now is that
the dissatisfaction among the troops
will spread to this city, and every eff
fort is being made to ward off this
danger.
Five gunboats are now in the river
suls have telegraphed their govern
ments asking that warships be sent
to the scene. American and Japanese
cruisers are expected here tonight.
AS another measure of precaution,
the merchant vessels in the harbor
are keeping steam up and women and
children will be permitted to go aboard
them tonight.
Volunteers have surrounded the for
eign quarters and will remain on duty
during the night until the safety of
all foreigners is assured.
1t appears that the revolutiona-
ries defeated in SEE Chuen province,
where they for some time besieged the
capital, Ching Tu, transferred their
chief activities to Hu Peh province,
with the intention of making the base
for renewed operations in SEE Chuen.
According to officials, an uprising
In WI Chang was planned for last
Monday night. The plot was discov-
cred earlier that evening and thirty
two arrests were made, Desiring to
terroriZe the revolutionists four of the
prisoners were beheaded in the streets
yesterday. This drastic action Of the
authorities does not appear to have
had the desired effect.
Immediately after the execution, q
portion of the government artillery
forces within the city mutinied, went
over to the rebels and the uprising
was precipitated.
Seeing that resistance was useless
the viceroy fled the city and found
refuge on a private yacht that was
lying in the river. His headquarters
and those Of the provincial treasurer
were burned. The military comman-
der was assassinated.
WI Chang, with its 100000 inhabi-
tants, Is the capital of the central
province of WI Peh. 1t is just across
the Cheng Use river from Hankow,
and in sense the two may be regard
ed as one city Of 100000.
Hankow Is the greater trading GEN.
ter for all of central China, but WI
Chang takes precedence over it in po-
litical Importance.
The province of Hu Hepeh-a name
which may be translated North
Lake"-is considerably larger than
England and Wales combined and has
population of 35,000,000. WI Chang
and Hankow as great trade centers
and ports for ocean steamers have
both felt to a considerable extent the
influence of western civilization. Both
cities nave thrown lHelI luOlS llllO llle
streets, clearing many of their tenn
Piles of priests and all emblems Of
worship to make room for public
schools.
The movement has been purely ma
terialistic. Its leaders stimulated by
the example of Japan in adopting
western methods of teaching, have
been seized with the idea that edu-
cation is the one thing needed to make
China great. The worship of Confu-
cius remains for the present in the
schools, but observers declare that it
is purely the worship of a great men,
ory.
The more progressive element in the
population is said to regard all reli-
gion, whether Buddhism, Christianity
or any other as impracticable supersti-
ton. The Christian missionaries. how
ever. have been able to make consid-
erable headway, particularly through
their educational work and hospitals.
The outbreak of revolution in WI
Chang can only be taken as an indi-
cation of the widespread disaffection
throuphOut China,