The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-03-31
CHINA IS NO
LONGER LAND OF
SUPERSTITION
CELESTIAL EMPIRE SHAKING OFF
HIoE5oUND, UNPRoGREssIVE
MANNERS, ASSUMING MODERN,
PROGRESSIVE AND LIBERAL
WAYS.
Nv Associated press.

Canton, China, March 2a.--It has
been said that Canton is the pulse OF
China, but it is still truer to say that
Canton is the brain Of China, not of
the old hide-bound, superstitious. un-
progressive land, but of modern, pro-
gresstve, liberal China Only to men
tion the names Of the great leaders OF
the times proves the statement: Wu
Ting Fang, Tang Shao ri, Sun Vat
Sen and others.
It has been in Canton where the
revolution has been nour1shed and
fostered for many years. The actual
overturning of the city. however, like
the precipitation OF the revolution, was
unexpected and in some ways unpre-
pared for. From what seems to be
the most trustworthy account Of all
the many theories. the false report OF
the fall of Peking, concocted by the
revolutionists in Hongkong and the
threats Of these same men to blow up
the city, completed the panic in official
circles, with the peaceable transfer Of
the important districts Of Waichow
and Summing to the revolutionists had
started. The viceroy after some hesi-
tation accepted the offer of the British
consul to give him an escort to Hong
kong and quietly disappeared from
view. The other officials either made
their escape or welcomed the new
government.
Two hundred men came up from
Hongkong on November Sth, and on
the 9Th took charge of the different
government offices from which the Of
ficials had fed. Since that date there
have been several presidents or CO.
presidents, the most successful of
whom has been WI Hon Man, who is
reputed to be a Christian. He was
taken to Shanghai, with DR.. Sun to act
as his private secretary. The present
incumbent is Chan Kwing Ming, who
seems to be able to work his own will
In the councils of the province.
The government is dictatorship, as
revolutionary governments generally
are until a settled government is
established, and the army is unruly
Most of the generals are robber chief
tains who were invited to come to the
city by the revolutionary party foI
fear the New Army" and the pro-
Vincial troops would not be able to
overawe the Manchu garrison and the
Bannermen or old style troops. This
incursion of robber- soldiers has great.
ly complicated the problem of gov
eminent. The several chiefs are work.
ing independently and are not sub
mfssive to the command of the gov.
ernor- general.
The provincial assembly. since The
fire which destroyed their beautiful
hall, has been meeting in the new
theatre near the east end of the rive
front The work of the assembly is t
a. great extent advisory, as power ha:
not yet been vouchsafed them. It i.
composed Of representative revolu-
tionists from the different districts. A:
sign of the progressive character o.
the people here, ten women have beer
seated as representatives.
The army at present in Canton has
been variously estimated at from so,
600 to 10000 The lower figure i.
probably the more accurate. Yet tn,
temples and government compound
ere all full of soldiers. The barrack!
outside the east gate are crowded Ont
can seldom walk far through tn,
streets without meeting a company O
soldiers or a band of the. Dare to
Die brigade, decked out in light blu,
underwear and carrying bombs in lit
Tie straw baskets. parading along tn,
narrow thoroughfares. The soldier
or the New Army" are mixed will
the new recruits to act as Instructors
thousands more men are hastily be
ing bought into some sort of disciplin
IN order to join the republican party
me great need Of the new govern
ment has been money. Immediatel
after the city turned revolutionary
taxes OF every description were abol
iShed. No money was in the treasury
ano many thousands Of men to be sup
ported. The officials gave their ser
vices two months free OF charge.
great wave of enthusiasm spread owe
Cantonese everywhere in the world
and millions of dollars Mexican hav
been paid in as free-will offerins I
defrsy the expenses of the new gov
eminent. Merchants landlords stu
dents. ricksha coolies, servants ever
gave literally of their funds to hel
the common veal. The need is con
tinuous, however and enthusiast
quickly dies down. The students {
the Canton Christian college. In
campaign for contributions. collecte
over $40. 900.
The government schools have a
closed and will not open this year un
less conditions change remarkabl,
Many private schools are also similar