The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-25

General Lii Yuan-hung. Fifteen
in the Chinese army, recognized only
in the Yangtze valley where he oper-
ated, practically unknown in the rest
of China n an utter blank to the
world at large. Today his name is a
household word among over 400, 900, 900
of people and he is given considerable
fame in every land on the globe. The
accidental explosion of a bomb in
Hankow on October 8, 1911, set off
the marvellous Chinese revolution,
which in turn made the obscure army
officer in rapid succession command
er-in-chief of the rebel army, dictator
of the Yangtze' valley, hea of the
revolutionary government, the idol of
the Chinese people and finally vice
president of the Republic of China.
Such phenomenal Advancement smacks
of luck. Add to this the fact that he
had to be backed into his greatness,
accepting the leadership of the revo-
luton as the only way to save his
own neck, and it seems to be a clear
case Of his being a prime favorite of
Chance. But, investigation goes to
show hat Ii Yuan-hung is worthy of
all the honors which a grateful people
have heaped upon him.
Thirtyone of Ii Yuan's 40 years
have been spent in military life, and
his father was a soldier. He was
Colonel Ii Tsaohsiang, and his famous
son was born in a little hamlet of the
Yangtze valley, within a few hours
journey of the scenes of his military
exploits. When he attained his 18th
year HI was admitted to the Tientsin
Naval college. Six years there gave
him a clear understanding of his
hardy and straightforward brothers
of North China. This was an educa-
ton in itself, as the northerners n
]southerners are so separated by geo.
graphy and antagonistic customs that
they have very little in common. There
Lii also formed a lifelong friendship
with the noted Admiral Sab, who, at
a critical moment in the revolution,
joined hands with his old college chum
and put his 10 ships, practically the
entire imperial navy, under the rebel
flag.
Lii Y%uan-hung had very little naval
experience after he vas graduated
from the Tientsin Naval college. for
lle SlIlIlG ltdsOIl Widl III Ildt Ao
navy to speak of. Naturally, he be-
came an officer in the army, and saw
some service in the war with Japan.
Soon after that unhappy episode he
got on the staff of General Chang
Chi-tung, a powerful viceroy who
ruled over Marking, which was the
capital of the empire in the days of
the Ming dynasty. There he earned
his captaincy by fortifying Marking
with modern guns.
Viceroy Chang Chih-tung, a Chi
nese gentleman of the old school, was
one of the greatest men, above and
apart from his deeds, that China has
ever produced. He is dead, but his
example and his teachings live today
in the career of Ii Yuan-hung. When
the great Chang was promoted to be
viceroy Of Honan and Hupeh he de-
cided to have a strong, modern army.
Taking young Lii with him from
Marking, he commissioned him to
whip the raw soldiery into shape. Ii
did it. With the aid Of a German
instructor he did in Central China
what Yuan Shin k'ai was doing in
North China. 1t was hard, thank
less work, except for the encourage
ment of his mentor, but he stuck to it
for three years.
"A foreign service assignment was
Lis reward for the faithful perform
ance of his Hupeh work. He was sent
to Japan for a tWo-year course in de-
lenses and field tactics. Returning to
China he was ordered to Wuchang
and advanced to the grade of major.
Here his experience was further en-
larged, as he was given an active
cavalry command. He was also rank
ing officer of what was known as the
infantry fourth advanced guard. An
other government assignment was that
of chief of the joint army and nav
maneuvers at kiangyin. In 1905 he
was made lieutenant colonel in COM
mand of the second division, a un;S
usually directed by a general.
By this time Ii had shown himself
to be a most excellent tactical Off GER,
and one of the few in whom the men
had absolute confidence. The new
Hupeh Mode army was organized the
same year by permission Of the Peking
authorities and Ii was given one Of
the first colonelcies. He was really
the moving spirit of the new army and
wa i"' VI lhC AsNl
mixed brigade, chief of the naval
forces in the YangtZe valley, superin-
tendent of the military academy, Of
ficer in charge of -four departments of
the Hanyang arsenal, and superin-
tendent of the army college. He was
provisional commander of the Changte
m~aneuvers. Last year he led his
mixed brigade in the autumn man
euvers at Taihu. This was just a few
weeks before the outbreak of the rev.
o%lution, and he was then on the Of
fetal list for promotion to the rank
Of general.
LII Yuan-hung Is a very good look
ing Chinese, with a we'll developed
head. bright, snappy eyes and a very
frank and friendly tanner. He IS
short, sturdy, broad-shouldered and
inclined to be c%orpulent. He has