RAINBOW & FLOOD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2935, 22 November 1916, Page 4

RAINBOW & FLOOD

STRIKING STORY

GRAPHIC PICTURE OF LIFE

IN CHINA A GOVERNOR'S BAD INFLUENCE In the course of a report to the N.Z. Presbyterian General Assembly, thero occurs the following striking picture of life in China: — TTfe year 1915 will be long remembered in this province by the disastrous flood that left so many of its people homeless. It camo in July, and nearly a year later the heaps of mud, scattered timbers, and broken tiles in many of our villages bear sad witness to the devastation caused. Thousands are living in rudo huts made from the wreckage of their former homes. The Tirst rice crop was just ripening, and in many parts was completely lost. Set, as with tho first flood, there has appeared a rainbow against tho dark cloud. The terrible calamity broko 'down, for a littlo time at any rate, artificial barriers, and nobility was re-v-v**s in unlooked-for quarters. A Chinese preacher told mo that in his neighbourhood class distinctions disappeared, feuds were buried, even thieves forgot to steal, and many ignored thenown danger in seeking to save others. Tile wealthier Chinese gave freely and organised extensive relief, which must have saved many lives. People in distant lands were moved to sympathy and help. In spite of the many insistent calls in our own New Zealand, friends have 2?? en over £200 to help tho sufferers. Under tho supervision of Dr. Paterson and Messrs. Wilson and Mawson, a great deal has heen done to relievo distress by paying tho poor people to repa'ir their roads, clean up their drains, etc. The disaster has also ssvealed in a striking way tho marvellous patience and perseverance of the Chinese. One or \he Christians at Taan Po had the vegetable garden which was his means of livelihood submerged six times, and came through it all with a smiliiur face. Professor Hcwitson spoke of him as Mark Tapley. Christianity is responsible for the smile, but that persistent patience Is either natural or has become- second nature to the. Chinese. Such characteristics will, as the Bishop of London says, inherit the earth in the long run. It is not yet evident whether the calamity will stir tho authorities to do somntning adequate in the way of prevention. Surveys have heen made by foreign experts, but in some places tho dySes are still unrepaired.. While taxes, go to feed the greedy maws of officials, and such work is left largely to the inclinations of tho benovolenfc rich or tho spasmodic efforts of loca" merchant guilds, pothing worth white need be expected. Tho marvel is that so much has boon accomplished. In Canton city the distress caused by the flood was aggravated by a tremendous firo. Tho masses of Pong CTiuen suffered somewhat, and the ch'apols at Taan Po and Kin Tan collapsed. • Revolution. The year opened with the physical upheaval and. closes with a political' one. ■ President Yuan Shi Kai has, in' the opinion of the va6t majority in South China, proved himself unworthy of tho trust committed to him by tho decree of Heaven and tho will of tho people. Like Julius Caesar of old, ho has been ''ambitious.'-' Ho carried his ambition, further, in that the third timo the crown was offered him ho accepted it; and tho throne was prepared and tho date fixed for tho commencement of tho now dynasty. The Republican Party has again manifested its strength by organising a widely-suc-cessful revolution. A now President seems to bo & sine qua non to a united China. Inadequate finance, the difficulty of training a. disciplined army, and tho ambitions of tho leaders of different sections within tho Republican ranks are all elements of weakness; and tho retirement of tho President does not promise to be nearly tho end of China's political troubles. Tho internal 'convulsion of her big neighbour is intensely interesting to Japan, and signs that the military party in that country are just wondering when tho judicious time for a little external treatment will arrive are not lacking. The realisation of such a dan-, ger would do more than anything else to mako the Chineso nation a unit. [Since tho above was written President Yuan Shih Kai has died. The Vice-President who succeeds him has the confidence of both northern- and southern provinces, and may be ablo to reunify his* country. Ho is noted, as I heard a Chinoso say, for his virtue rather than for his ability. He _is openly sympathetic towards Christianity.] "When a Wtekotl Man Boaroth Rule tho People Sigh." The disturbing factor in our-province has been tho military governor, General Lung. Ho was successful in quelling tho last rebellion against President Yuan, and, as a reward, was appointed governor, This timo he has boon forced to bow before circumstances and declare tho province independant. Hb ! at tho same timo declared himself tho lcador of tho Revolutionary Party. But that party is somowhat suspicious of its self-appoint-ed leader, and with good reason. An old vicoroy of tho province, H. E. Shum—ditinguished for his ability and honesty—has heen chosen and placed jjabove Lung; but it remains to be seen whether Lung will accept a subordinate position. A Chineso proverb says: "A forced promise is not binding"; and ho has amplo precedent in tho history of his country for. 'settling tho situation, if by so doing ho can benefit himself. Governor Lung's influence has been bad. Ho is largely responsible for a widespread return to idolatry and superstition, a rekindling of the gambling fever' with its attendant lawlessness, tho illicit uso of opium, sava'go outbreaks by his soldiers on innocent pooplo, and the general rottenness of tho whole system of government. No honest man will bo sorry when this dragon (Lung moans dragon) meets his St. George. For months past residence and travelling in the country havo been, moro or less unsafe. Many of tho Christians havo suffered through tho attacks of armed robbers.