THE TROUBLE IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14810, 13 October 1911, Page 4

THE TROUBLE IN CHINA.

The world does not long rest undisturbed by war, tumult and rumour of war. The seizure of Tripoli by Italy followed quickly upon the difficulty between France and Germany over Morocco, in which Moroccan imbroglio Britain was involved as the loyal ally of France. Now we have disquieting news from China, where the seething discontent of the Chinese populace against the .Manchu rulers has- broken out in a more threatening form than ever. Southern China, as farthest from Pekin, has always been the. favourite recruiting ground of anti-dynastic risings and in the present instance some slight successes have given to the revolutionists a footing which may lead to unexpected results. For some months the Chinese authorities have been striving to stamp out a series of incipient revolts, . and where multitudes are waiting for an opportunity any promising movement soon spreads far and wide. The revolutionists in Southern China have apparently realised the folly of encountering foreign forces while engaged in an attack upon their own rulers ; their leaders have proclaimed the death penalty for anybody molesting foreigners, and are evidently endeavouring to concentrate their attack upon the authority of Pekin. If, they are successful in imposing this strategic policy upon their followers, foreign gunboats may have no occasion to interfere, but it would be altogether unprecedented if .there should be trouble and anarchy in any Chinese province without foreigners finding themselves the object of hostile actions.