Oct, 10, October 10, 1911, is a day that will long be remembered in history, for on it the blow was struck which sent the Ching dynasty staggering to its end. Most of the men who had a in the happenings of that day have passed from the stage of action, including Li Yuan-hung, the General in charge of the garrison of Wuchang city who ater became President of China, In the background was the organizing genius of General Huang Hsing, who was more responsible than any other leader for the military victories which held back the advance of Yuan Shih-kai and Tuan Chi-jui. During the succeeding two months the names on the lips of the victorious rebel troops were those of Li Yuan-hung and Huang Hsing, but their glory }was soon eclipsed by the rising star of Sun Yat-sen, who hurried back to China and became the first President of the Republic formed at Nanking on Januai 1, 1912, Li Yuan-hung was a native of Hupeh province and Huang Hsing of Hunan, Both were familiar with the military organization at Wuchang under Viceroy Jui Cheng and knew its vulnerability. They must ha been also conscious of the risk they were running in case of failure but with their companions they took their lives in their hands and planned the coup which ended in success. On this day their achieve mer should not be forgotten, A new group of leaders has arisen since that' time and the organization of the Kuomintang has been perfected.. Nanking has become the capital of the jeountry and within the last few days the Government has been reorganized on the basis of the division of power among. five Councils. Our news columns to-day tell of the election of General Chiang Kai-shek as the Chairman of the Central Committee and accordingly the new head of the Government. The Presidents of the five Councils jate Tan Yen-kai, Hu Han-ming, Wang Chung-hui, Tai Chi-tao and Tsai Yuan-pel. These a all_ men who have b&come wel known as leaders in the new regime which now controls the whole country. Of these Tan Yen-kai, a native of Hunan, won the highest literary degree under the Ching dynasty becoming a member of the Yuan, Tsai Yuan-pei is also distinguished literary man who was formerly President of the National University at Po king. Hu Han-ming has studied in Paris, Tai Chi-tao is the son-inlaw of the late Dr. Sun Yat sen, and Dr. Wang Chung-hui has lately returned from his honourable position as a member of the World Court at The Hague. We take the occasion of [this National Day to congratu-Mate: these six men on their appointments and to wish them success in their new offices.
The enormity of the task which lies before the new Government. cannot be overlooked.
There are vast hordes of armed men scattered throughout the country under leaders who have yet to learn the meaning of obedience to the new central authority, During the war movements of the last two years each military group has been to a greater or less extent a law to itself, but must now learn to merge its aims into those of the Jcommon whole, The finances of the country are also in'dire need of unification, so that the burden upon the people of this one province of Kiangsu, Schools and colleges, must be reopened and industry encouraged. "We hope that we shall not be misunderstood when we suggest that these-actions are of greater importance than treaty revision or tariff autonomy, for they can all be undertaken without any consideration of the rights of other nations. They are all concerned with the four fundamental requirements of the people as tioned two months ago by' General Feng Vu-hsiang—food, clothing, housing and means of communication. In foreign relations the new Government may. count upon the friendliness of the treaty Powers and thi should be recognized. Like all other nati China needs friends and We can wish the new Government on this National Day ne greater blessing than a new and friendly attitude toward nations with which it has treaty relations. Such an attitude will make easy the work of treaty revision and of future co-opera tion in the upbuilding of a stable and efficient government which
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.