Anger at Present Systenv: Intolerable Taxation and Burden} of the Army: Tyranny of Petty Pol us 1 Anhui, Apr. 8.
Because some 85 per cent. of the population of this country are what are called, country-people or rural dwellers, the writer has occasionally ought to establish contact with them in anier the better to under-atend their life and outlook, Considered from the view-point of human values this is the most. important part of China's population, and yet it gets but scant recognition either in foreign or Chinese literature.
But few outside people have the faintest conception as to the possibilities that exist among China's swarming rural population for self-government. Does this 85 per cent. of China's population now have any measurement of self-government under the republic? Do they hav: any ideas, plans or hopes for self government? Do they really know What improvements they would like to have or do they simply bend blindly and uncoreernediy beneath the insupportuble yoke that is imposed upon them by means of wars and bandits?
The writer was moved to inquire into their lot by the amazing re-snark made by a countryman' that the present government was the worst that the country had ever had. Knowing the highly altruistic motives proclaimed by the present gov. ernment, that statement sounded something like blasphemy." S the present government is largely composed of truly public spirited men, men who are both idealistic and able, Why should conditions under their leadership be Dranded as the "worst ever," even Sneluding that of the decadent Man-
On inquiry it appeared that the bitter complaints of the countrymen were very largely called forth by the never ending imposition of taxes. "How much money is demanded taxes and how are they levied began asking. The following fairly representative reply given by 8 farmer in one of the more perous and better governed sec! of Anhui.
"Our village never had to pay taxes before excepting when there was some great catastrophe or war. Until the last three years I can only remember two or three times when we had to pay taxes." Of course this statement refers to direct taxation, The people have had to pay indict theceeh tae whan tne zel the och aad Inde case prosestions My" informa ties Went on, "During "the lant hree Frew we have hell Se gee, coe]
fore and more frequent? "More than one n'a year" T asked. is]
hed bitter!
"Mare than once every two months, now."
He then explained how they wei taxed so much for every 10 mow of land owned by the village. The village leaders could then divide it up proportion ately among those who owned only four or five mow. The usual demand was for from two to six dollars for 10 mow of land, an enormous sum for these poor country men to raise.
T inquired what method was used for raising these taxes. The old farmer explained that the demand
er for the village to supply so many usually came in the form of an ord: men to carry for the army, or else a demand for grain or fodder for the army. If there fs anything that thes country farmer hates worse than to have his home looted by bandits, it is to be herded up by the army and be foreed to serve as an army transport mule, I have seen these Poor fellows come back after such an errand, footsore, haggard, and starving, but above all they are full of the bitterness of a deadly hate for those who are responsible for what they regard as a devilish system, If they ever get a chance to tear down the government which is forcing such things upon them they will do it with a fierce complotness that will astonish the world, We are wont to ask how anyone can seek to fight against the promising new government in China. This condition gives at least one answer to the query. The army gives these forced carriers food so long as they army itself, but it takes. them many days journey away from home and then turns them—loos with absolutely no payment for their services. They are left to starve of else to beg their way home, To do in strange and often pov country is a terrible experi Many are forced at least tem-to become bandits or robbers.
Faced with the horror of going of with the army the villager will mortgage his land, sell his precious, oxen, or go to almost any length rather than submit to the ordeal. It makes one's mind go back to those glowing days three years ago when the army came through with such great promises for the common people, and winning the approval of the populace by paying well for all they took.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.