THE CHINESE REVOLUTION A.D. 1912

ROBERT MACHRAY R.F.  JOHNSTON TAI-CHI QUO

The story of “China’s Awakening” in 1905 was told in our preceding volume.  Most startling and most important of the results of this arousing was the sudden successful revolution by which China became a republic.  This Chinese Revolution burst into sudden blaze in October, 1911, and reached a triumphant close on February 12, 1912, when the Royal Edict, given in the following article, was proclaimed at Peking.  In this remarkable edict the ancient sovereigns of China deliberately abdicated, and declared the Chinese Republic established.

We give here the account of the revolution itself and of its causes, by the well-known English writer on Eastern affairs, Robert Machray.  Then comes a discussion of the doubtful wisdom of the movement by a European official who has long dwelt in China, Mr. R.F.  Johnston, District Officer of Wei-hai-wei.  Then a patriotic Chinaman, educated in one of the colleges of America, gives the enthusiastic view of the revolutionists themselves, their opinion of their victories, and their high hopes for the future.

ROBERT MACHRAY

With Yuan Shih-kai acknowledged as President by both the north and the south, by Peking and Nanking alike, “The Great Republic of China,” as it is called by those who have been mainly instrumental in bringing it into being, appears to have established itself, or at least it enters upon the first definite stage of its existence.  Thus opens a fresh volume, of extraordinary interest as of incalculable importance, in the history of the Far East.

Even in the days of the great and autocratic Dowager Empress, Tzu Hsi, who had no love for “reform,” but knew how to accept and adapt herself to the situation, it was evident that a change, deeply influencing the political life and destinies of China, was in process of development.  After her death, in 1908, the force and sweep of this momentous movement were still more apparent—­it took on the character of something irresistible and inevitable; the only question was whether the change would be accomplished by way of evolution—­gradual, orderly, and conservative—­or by revolution, or a series of revolutions, probably violent and sanguinary, and perhaps disastrous to the dynasty and the country.  The events of the last few months have supplied the answer—­at any rate, to a certain extent.  A successful revolution has taken place, in which, it is true, many thousands have been killed, but which on the whole has not been attended by the slaughter and carnage that might have been anticipated considering the vastness of the country and the enormous interests involved.  Actual warfare gave way to negotiations conducted in a spirit of moderation and of give-and-take on the part of all concerned.  The Manchu dynasty has collapsed, though