American, French and British gunboats protecting foreigners
at Shameen Island, Canton, during revolution, 1911–12. In
foreground, wupan, or boat of “five boards.” Note wide awnings
required on gunboats. The awnings on second gunboat (British)
were riddled by bullets of contesting forces.
]
[Illustration:
Copyright, 1913, The Bobbs-Merrill Company.
The famous gate giving entrance to the native city, Tientsin.
Reform in schools, industries and army really started in this
city under the viceroyships of Li Hung Chang and Yuan Shih Kai,
and the taotaiship of Tang Shao Yi.
]
These moves on the recommendation of Dictator Yuan, who was an old
enemy of Regent Chun, who exiled him, did not satisfy the rebels, who
named Nanking as their permanent capital, called for delegates from
all the rebel provinces, and pressed on the war. “The name is changed
at Peking, but it is the same old game,” they said. A republican loan
of ten million taels, bearing twelve per cent. interest, and sold at
about eighty per cent. of face value, was sought at Shanghai, Wu Ting
Fang seeking American subscriptions especially, for he kept reminding
Americans: “You are the mother of republics; the greatest republic, as
we will be the largest republic.” Wu also wired prominent American and
British financiers and their governments, pleading that loans should
not be made to the Manchu government, and respectfully warning that:
“The republican rebels would remember if loans were made to fight
their cause.” This really had a deterrent influence, for Americans and
Britons were able to influence France to suspend financial action for
a while. The American-educated Tang Shao Yi, Dictator Yuan’s chief
assistant, now went to the rebel headquarters at Wuchang and Shanghai
to interview General Li, Minister Wu and General Hsu regarding peace,
and the rebels held sessions of delegates from the Yangtze, southern
and western provinces. Kwangtung province began its republican
organization, and sent up another quota of 3,000 modern troops from
Canton, added to 10,000 previously sent, to reinforce General Li, who
stood marking time at Wuchang against General Feng of the imperialists
at Hanyang.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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