The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-01-13
THE GENESIS OF THE CHINESE
REVOLUTION.

The reValutlOn IN emma, WHICH
broke out suddenly on the 10th OF last
October, though unexpected was not
unprepared The Reformist move
ment, which is at the bottom of the
revolution, was started years ago. The
action of Juei-Tcheng, the Viceroy OF
Hupeh and Human, in having three
members of the Reformists executed
fastened the rebellion. These unfor-
tunate men were arrested while hold
ing a secret meeting and, soon after
wards, were decapitated.
AS soon as the news of the execu-
ton spread, the Ke-min-tang (Reform-
ists) called their followers to. arms,
attacked and burned the tribunals
and slaughtered the Mandarins and
Manchus who could not escape. A
great number of regular troops and
their officers, instead of fighting
against the insurrectionists Joined
them.
When the Viceroy heard of the de-
sertion of his troops no alternative
was left to him but to abandon his
capital to the rebels and take refuge
on a Chinese gunboat. UChang fell
into the power of the Revolutionists,
and soon afterwards the neighboring
prefecture, Han-yang, was also con-
quered by them. They took posses
sion of the arsenal, in which they
found a great number of cannons and
guns and lar ge supply of ammuni-
ton. The workingnen and the me-
chanics, being kindly treated by the
Revolutionists, entered their employ.
Over 100000 taels ($1,400,000.00)
belonging to the imperial afund fell
into their hands. Emboldened by this
success, they soon entered Han-kow,
where they at once took possession of
the railroad station.
The revolution is very popular, and
it is evident that discomfort must have
been general throughout China, since
the rebellion rapidly spread through
out fourteen of the eighteen provinces
of the Empire.
The rebels pledged themselves to
modest no one outside of the Govern
ment officials and the Manchus, whom
they intend to replace by Chinese.
Their motto is: China for China
men," 1.-THE greatest enemies of the
country are they say, first, the Tar
tars, the real parasites of China
who levy tribute upon the land and do
nothing in return for it; and, second,
the Mandarins, whose only idea seems
to be the spoliation of the people. All
privileges are granted to the Tartars,
who never knew how to protect China,
and still less, how to render it strong
and prosperous The Government has
always either put off or discouraged
all measures that would be of ad-
vantage to the people"
The accusations, voiced repeatedly
by the press Of the country, prepared
the way for the revolution. They
found an easy echo in the minds OF
the multitude of disgruntled people
and secured the sympathy of China
for the Reformists. On the, other
ruined many sections of the country
this year, could not fail to increase
the army of the rebellion. The new
recruits had nothing to lose by theil
action and, on the other hand, there
was prospect that they might better
their circumstances in case of sue
cess.
This last contingent of the army oil
the revolution may later on cause
much disorder. These men who en-
listed in the army were not actuatet
by patriotic feelings. but by the ex
pectation of spoils.
The Reformers realize this danger
Up to this time they seem to have
to a great extent, kept their promise
to respect the treaties of China with
the other powers. They protect the
residences and interests of foreigners
and preserve order generally, even i
to accomplish this end they have Il
deal severely with pirates and brig
ands.