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SUN-YAT-SEN PRIME FACTOR IN CHINESE SPIRIT OF REVOLT

Gilman Speaks at Liberal Club About Origin of Revolutionary Moves

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In a speech yesterday afternoon at the Liberal Club, the Reverend Alfred Gilman, D.D., former president of Boone University, and a missionary in various districts of China during the past 25 years, explained the conditions which have been prevalent in China recently and which have caused revolutionary state of that country. "In order to know what is happening," Dr. Gilman stated, "we must turn back to the revolution of 1898 and the events immediately following it. The young emperor at that time was a decided progressive, and with the collaboration of three of his ministers, started on a policy of reform. His revolutionary and progressive ideas roused the anger of the Empress dowager, who ordered the leaders' arrest. One of the ministers escaped to Japan, where he wrote a volume about his progressive ideas.

"Shortly afterwards Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen, another great liberal, published a similar book. With the outbreak of the revolution of 1911, his work spread among the uprising student class. His general proved a traitor to the cause and established himself as ruler. Anarchy followed. Had he built up a strong government for the people, one years of turmoil in China would have been avoided.

"Dr. Sun's book, which preaches nationalism, democracy and communism, has been taken by the students as their 'bible." Inspired by it, they continue their fight for progress. As long as the progressive government, which is rising in southern China, holds the upper hand, the outlook for China's future is bright."

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