FAILURE CONFESSED

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11935, 16 September 1924, Page 7

FAILURE CONFESSED

DR SUN ABANDONS CANTON INDIFFERENCE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS HIS CAUSE. TROOPS WITHDRAWN. 3v Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Coprrisrtit. (Sydney "Sun.'* Cable.) PEKING, September 14. Dr. Sun Ya.t Sen has proceeded, to Shiu Kwan to organise a northern expedition. Ho has issued a manifesto which is an open confession of the failure of hU Government in Canton. It condemns the indifference of the people towards tho revolutionist cause, and acknowledges grievances from lieavy war taxation and oppression by disorderly generals and unscrupulous officials. The manifesto announces the withdrawal of troops, the cancellation of war taxation, and the return of the provinces to the people far self-govern merit, in the hope of engaging their enthusiastic support for tbs of the revolution. THE FIRST PRESIDENT. Di‘. Sun Yat Sen was the first President of China, but resigned! in favour of Yuan Smh-kai, who had himself elected Emperor in 1915. The southern provinces immediately rose in revolt, Yuan died in 1916, and the central Government again became republican in form. About 150 members of the old Parliament met at Canton in 1917, elected Dr. Sun President of China, and in 1918 declared the election of 'Hsu Shih Chang illegal. NE#ER There have been two ‘'Presidents” in China ever since, hut Dr. Sun’s has never securely established himself, even at Canton, from which he was driven In May, 1922. He retired in 1923, but internal dissensions, and disputes with the Powers interested in South China, Kayo newer ceased. Early this year it was reported! that Tie was dead, and l the state of the territory of which he professed to be in control was 'such that it wiaa weeks before the report was definitely known to be untrue.