The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLED. SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1912. CHINA'S LEADERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 57, 2 March 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLED. SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1912. CHINA'S LEADERS.

An interesting comparison is drawn by a Shanghai correspondent between the two leaders whose names have been most prominent in connection with the revolution in China, Yuan-Shi-Kai and Sun-Yat-Sen. The correspondent describes the new President as a much over-rated man and declares that his aim was to depose the Manchu dynasty in order that he might .himself obtain despotic power. When the revolution was begun there was no thought of a republic, and the revolutionaries would have been depose the Emperor and put Yuan-Shi-Kai in his place, and that, it is plainly stated, was just what the leader himself desired and expected. Now, of course, there is no prospect of his becoming an autocrat. The correspondent has a very high opinion of Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen. "I am convinced," he writes, "that whatever faults Sun-Yat-Sen may have, he is honest. He wants no office. If it comes to that, if his occupancy of any post would retard the progress of his country he would efface himself. He is a patriot, deep-dyed, but also an idealist. Lack of executive capability prevents him making a good president, but lie knows his limitations, and will be only too pleased to hand the job over -to Yuan-Shi-Kai." While holding office as Provisional President at Nankin, Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen made many remarkable changes with a view to modernising the city and removing the marks of Manchu influence. He was surrounded by strong men, who" lent ready aid in the work of reform. These men, some of whom will be members of the new Republican Ministry, are described by the correspondent as exceedingly capable leaders. Wong-Chung-Hui, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the provisional Cabinet, is a gentleman who speaks English, French and German, and lias declared quaintly that he "understands American." He and other prominent reformers have been educated in Europe and America and are familiar with the ways of the Western world.