I
Outline of Cantonese history from September, 1911, to date.
In the sanguinary water of chaos and anarchy which constitutes the history of China since the downfall of the Manchu dynasty, no province has suffered more severely than Keang-tung. An omen of future troubles vas seen at Canton, when on the 19th September, 1911, Kuang-tung declared itself independent and His cellency Cheung Meng-k'o (), Viceroy of the Liang Kuang provinces, fled hastily to Hon, Kong. Four robber- chieftains, Wong Wo-shun (E2), Luk Lan-ts'eng 14), Shek Kam-ts'un ( 243 ) and Li Fuk- lam(), at once seized Canton and held its 72 uilds to ranson, Every vestige of low and order disappeared in the province, and every town and hamlet armed itself for private defence against pirates and
brigands. After a short reign of terror the robber-chiefs
withdrew and Tseung Tsin-kvai (), a native of
Che-kiang, was "elected" provisionally to be to-tuk
叔
(3), the new title for Governor, of Khan,-tung.
In this office he was succeeded a few days later by lu Hon-man (AR), a native of Kung-tung, who as a student in Japan had met Dr. Sun Yat-sen (2), of whom he became a warm admirer. He had in his earlier career been editor of a vernacular newspaper at hon, Kong: but he had never before filled any official post. The lieutenant-Governor under him was Ch'an livens-meng (A), also a native of Kuan-tung. Both these men no stepped into the lime-light for the first time and they wore destined to have a considerable influence on the course of events at Canton during the following years. On this occasion, however, du Hon-man had but brief spell
of office at Canton: for in November, 1911, Dr. Sun took
393
E
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.