THE NEW CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 186, 12 January 1912, Page 5

THE NEW CHINA.

EARLY ABDICATION CERTAIN. By Cable—Press Association--Copyright. Received 12. 0.5 a.m. London. January 11. The Times' Pekin correspondent says that im early abdication of the Royal Family is certain, Ching and other princes favoring this course. UNDER WHICH KING? "Which do you favor?" is a question frequently asked just now (remarked the Central China Post recently). To speak for ourselves, we frankly 'do not know. Our sympathies are with the revolutionists, and yet, if the Imperialists had the power to put down the present movement promptly, and the grace to redress all grievances afterwards, we would wish them the victory. The way in which the surrounding cities are rapidly falling into a state of anarchy, as witness by Hwangehowfu and Wuchanghsien, and also by correspondence from the west in the' present issue, is proof of this. This unfortunate state of affairs may spread to every city in the province, and throughout such other provinces as happen to be affected. For this reason we would prefer a speedy settlement under the old conditions, and try to Bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of.

ON THE OTHER HAND.

On the other hand, the Manehu ruling family, like the Stuarts of England and the Bourbons of France, has become im practicable. It is like an old tree who? vitality is exhausted. Although it may still make a good show, being hollowhearted it is liable to be upset by the first violent storm. For several reigns it has produced no Emperor capable of filling the throne, and misrule, together with exorbitant taxation, is driving the people mad. The intentions of the Throne are good. The reforms proposed are many of them excellent, but they never seem to materialise into anything satisfactory. The Provincial Councils and the National Assembly, as institutions, were full of promise, but they have accomplished nothing because the main effort of the Government has been directed towards preventing them from making their influence felt. The promised Constitution and Parliament are admirable as they exist on paper, but, when established, they will probably b- found to be of no more use than the Councils or the Assembly. Thus far for the civil side of things; in military and naval matters it is no better. To what purpose modern-trained troops and a navy of sorts have been called into existence may be estimated upon the sound of the musketry and guns which fills the air as we write. In this so-called reform year all the old abuses are allowed to flourish. Purchase of office and official squeeze are as rampant as ever. The ever-increasing taxation is becoming insupportable, while public works are neglected and the miseries of the perishing poor almost entirely disregarded. Looked at in this light, it is evident that the lime for a change has come, and even were the necessary birth pangs staved off for the moment, they would only return in more violent forni, and a new regime be brought into being in spite of all that could be done to hinder it. For this reason we wish success to the revolutionary cause. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. There is hope for the future in the new men. They are better informed, more patriotic and self-sacrificing than their opponents, and, judging by this city, they are the unanimous choice of the people. No one who comes much in contact with the people can have failed to notice how enthusiastic, from the coolie to the compradore, they all are for the revolution. Its great fault is the tendency shown to make the movement a race war. The cry which is rallying multitudes is not the betterment of the country and the people, but "Down with the Manchus!" and the atrocities which are being perpetrated along this line are such that foreign friends of the cause must hide their heads with shame. Meanwhile the whole matter is on the knees of the gods.

The Rev. G. H. McNeur, in a letter dated December 9, writes:— "Many of the country districts are in a terrible state of lawlessness. Owing to the first officer of a British boat on the West Itiver having been shot by pirates, the Hong Kong Government has sent three gunboats up to protect the trade route between Hong Kong and Wuchow. Some factions in the new Canton Government are concerned about this, and demand the removal of these offending necessary, by force! Of course, the new Provincial Government is not recognised by any foreign government, ani we are in constant fear of complication. Canton City is all on edge, but outwardly tilings are peaceful. The other day I happened to be not. far from a spot where a bomb burst, •accidentally, it was said. In a few minutes all the shutters were on the doors and windows of every shop for streets, around. "It is said there is now an army of about 75,000 to 100,000 in Canton. It wiM take over a million dollars a month to keep this army alive. Where is th« money coming from, and what about the indemnity and the interest on foreign loans? Kwang Tung is sending an army up north. The situation there suggests an early compromise, leaving the youthful. Emperor on the throne" with Yuan Shih-Kai as Premier. But to suggest .such a thing to the leaders here would be a red rag to a bull. The Chinese fully believe that Japan and Germany have been helping the Imperialists. The probable fact is that individual Japanese and Germans have been helping both sides, and the revolutionaries most. But the Cantonese are extremely touchy just now."