THE REVOLUTIONARY PARTY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12584, 14 October 1911, Page 5

THE REVOLUTIONARY PARTY.

Some-time ago there appeared m the Westminster Gazette an interesting article on "Political Parties m China," by a Chinese student. Referring to the Revolutionary or Republican Party, he stated that the chief strength of the party lay m the lower classes— in the various secret societies, In 1900,' when the party at- , tempted a rising at • Hankau, it had m its ranks for the first time men of eminent learning. Since that, year it has steadily gained strength by th© voluntary adherence of men of ability and position. The aims of the Revolutionary Party are thus described by its leader: "The foremost object of our party is to ensure entire political freedom, by overthrowing-/ the present government, and establishing .-A republic m its stead. The pernicious traditions of the official world and the evil influence of the Court can only be swept away by a"revolution. A constitution under the present regime would be worse than useless, since the old abuses would continue, with a mock Parliament at its. back. A radical change is absolutely necessary, for the old rand the'hew are irreconcilable— one must be .'the victim. ' . '. .

It ha 9 been argued by constitutional monarchists .that a revolution means ff disturbance which would, inevitably bung foreign interference, and the instance of the, Tai-ping rebellion is* often quqted. But the failure^ of' -tho Tai-ping rebellion was caused by their lack of higher inspiration", "their, ignorance, and tlieir cruelty. We revolutionists will take care' ''not to repeat their mistake^. I firmly believe that if a rising, be solemnly directed against the Government, fully respecting "the right and safety of the foreign community, m -China, and avoiding to do any.h'arrh to commerce, no, foreign Power will interfere. .. . Once-' the Government is overthrown,' reorganisation would be a comparatively > eusy task.; All the ■'foolish restrictions 'oi trade would be 1 removed,' and the country would soon ' recover, from its economic distress, and we believe that the - Powers would want no more than to ask us to acknowledge all the obligations entered upoh by Ihe present Government."