The Washington herald., 1911-10-22
CHINESE REVOLT
DOOMED TOFAILURE
Gen. Wilson Tells of Condi-
tions in Great Empire.
NATION OF SLOW PROGRESS
Teemfng Millions So Ignorant 1t Is
Impossible to Organize Them In
to a Concerted MOyemcnt-No
70 National Feeling in Evidence.
Not a Military People.


Wilmington, Del, Oct. 21.-Maj. Gen.
James H. Wilson, L. S. A, retired, who
led the American and British troops in
China in the Boxer rebellion of 1901, de-
clares that the present incurrection there
will not end in revolution. Gen. Wilson
knows China and the Chinese intimate
ly, having projected, a quarter of a
century ago, the first railroad enterprise
there.
Il can't see," he said to-day, the
possibility of a serious outcome Of the
present rioting in China. l hope that
conditions there are such as to make
possible the radical change said to be
the purpose of the movement, but / fear
II is visionary. China is yet too poor and
too ignorant to be aroused.
This does not mean that there are
not able, wealthy, and farsighted men
in China. 1 have the pleasure of know
ing many such. The teeming millions
of the mass, though, are so pitifully poor,
so pitifully ignorant. so wholly untouch-
ed by modern progress that it is impos-
sible to organize them in a concerted
movement
Not Military People.
Primarily, the Chinese are not a MIL
itary people. 1 do not mean that, indi-
vidually or frequently by groups and
sometimes by communities, they will not
fight ferociously and kill mercilessly.
Nor do I mean that they cannot be dis
ciplined as a fighting machine.
That they can be was shown in the
TAPPING rebellion of a generation ago,
when, l believe, 100000 OF them
were slain. BY the way. Chinese Cor
don, the EnglIshman has had his glory
embalmed in history for the suppression
of that uprising, but as a fact. the
credit properly belongs to our own Ward,
the Yankee sailor of fortune. His was
the genius who inspired great hOrdes Of
the ignorant to follow to death the ban
ners OF the imperial government"
Isn't the same spirit latent among the
masses today Gen. Wilson was asked
Il think not" he replied.
Few Soldiers Needed.
Il am inclined to believe now could
sweep from the coast to Pekin with
5000 American soldiers. take the imperial
city and toppIe the baby emperor from
his throne.
Just contemplate for a moment" Gen.
Wilson reflected, the tremendous mean
ing Of the spectacle in China which for
$50 years has puzzled the civilized world.
A handful of Manchus during these two
and a half centuries have dominated the
empire.
Il dare say that there are not more
than 5000 900 or 1000, 900 Manchus h the
nearly +00,0O0, 600 of total population. Why
have not these 400, 100000 risen in their
wrath and even with their bare hands, if
necessary. torn the Mapchu oppressors
from their throne?
There is absolutely no national feeling
full of ha
nese show toward the outer world is due
wholly to racial feeling.
'As soon as l saw that the successor
of Ii Hung Chang in point of personal
influence and standing had consented 10
take supreme command of the imperial
forces, concluded that the rebellion
would be short lived; not because of any
superior military prOweSs or experience
of this man, whom I happen to know
very well, but because he is one Of the
shrewdest politicians In China.
All Would Suffer.
He knows that should he fail, not
only would he suffer ignoble death and
the confscation of his worldly posses
sions, but that every man, woman, and
child of his kith and kin would meet the
same fate. The certainty Of this fate
makes every intelligent Chinaman weigh
all the chances before he ventures on
such an enterprise"
Gen. Wilson places no credence in re-
ports that the rebellion is amply financed !
None of the powers of Europe would |
1are encourage the movement" he de- |
,lared, because every civilized nation is |
watching too jealously the movements |
IF every other nation in respect to |
China.
State or Europe, would take so hazard
1us a risk. Hence, 1 do not believe the
'ebels have any considerable amount of
money. Without a large sum of money
hey could not hope to accomplish any
hing