Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-09
Chinese Honor Sun Yat-Sen

BY SU-LEE CHANG.

The worlds calendar will include In
its memorable dates that of November
IL. 1866. On that day there was born
in a remote Southeastern Asia village
a man whose life has been tied closely
to the history and destiny Of a great
people for the last half century. He
was DR.. Sun Yat-Sen, father of the
Chinese Republic.
Every Monday millions Of Chinese
gather together in government offices,
chambers of commerce, schools and
universities, labor unions, and social
institutions to pay tribute to their
leader in a solemn ritual. They bow
before his picture, recite and contem-
plate his political will. He is not a
god, for fanaticism has no place in true
Chinese character. 1t was his spirit
which represents power and latin 10
his .countrymen.
Legends have surrounded the birth
place of DR.. Sun. That he was born
of common origin is not contested. AS
a boy he spent several years in HAWAII
in an atmosphere of political liberty
and free social institutions. But ne
was not weSternized East and west oil
two different worlds. He clearly con-
ceived that the one to which he be-
longed must become adapted to con-
ditionS prevailing in the other. But he
recognized Enthusiastically that in in
cooperating China to modern civiliza-
ton changes from outside should be
conducive to established national traits.
Herein lies the foundation of his ma
jestic program for the regeneration OF
China A pure product of eastern soil
the growth of his mind was constantly
watered by western culture. Yet he was
distinctly Chinese.
Diagnosed Nations Disease.
Medicine was his choice for a pro-
fession. More than ordinary physicians
who eased the pains of individual
patients he saw the intense sufferingS
of the people. He diagnosed the
disease of the body polite and set
upon the task of resuScitating dying
nation. Powerful ministers received
memorials from him concerning the
alarming state of affairs. He pleaded
for reforms, and, when the efforts to
cooperate with the existing regime
proved futile he decided to cut the
Gordian knot.
That he was a born leader his fol-
lowers admit. The source of power in
the early days was his sincerity, which
brought him friends and supporters
from all walks of life. Thus, in his
secret revolutionary meetings were
found scholars and gang chiefs, stu
dents and outlaws, merchants and
coolies. BY his winning personality he
compacted these raw elements into a
policy making instrument.
For 10 days he hid in fishing shop
In Canton while officials sought his life.
Many Of his companions had lost their
heads Again, some years later, his
life hung on a thread of fate. He
was trapped and locked up by Chinese
imperial agents in London ready to
be shipped to the court Of Peiptng. His
earnestness and friendship miraculously
brought him into contact with the
world that saved him. BY his deeds
and readiness to face danger he mani
tested the ability of practical leader
ship. He was as much worker as a
leader.
Travelled Abroad.
The land became unsafe for him. A
price was set On his head. He travelled
and propagandiZed. He fomented
revolutionary atm osphere among
Chinese abroad and recruited political
force. While In Europe he studied
existing political and economic condi-
tons, examining the maladies as well
as the proposed remedies for our in
dustrial and commercial civilization and
conversed with authorities in many
fields.
A July 4th" jubilee swept China.
Firecrackers were set eff everywhere.
The Emperor had abdicated and a re-
public was proclaimed. Every face
flashed with hope and cheerfulness.
But events and degenerating personali-
ties soon conspired to rob the people Of