Page:Stanley Kuhl Hornbeck - The Situation in China (1927).djvu/4



China is today in the throes of two great political efforts. First, rival leaders or factions are contending for power; some are struggling to extend, others to preserve the measure of authority which they have attained during the years since the overthrow of the Monarchy (1912). Second, most of those who, in China's vast population, are politically articulate are in revolt against the influence which foreign governments, foreign nationals and foreign ideas have acquired in their country.

The wars which have been waged during the past ten years have been factional. Various leaders, groups and parties have been contending for a supremacy to which none has a lawful claim. Each has raised armies, collected revenues, and waged his or its contest against one or more of the others. A semblance of central authority has been maintained in Peking; but at this moment even the Peking government is self-appointed and has a narrowly limited authority. The city of Peking is fought for as a political prize, because: first, it is the traditional seat of authority; second, it possesses the physical equipment of government; and, third, certain of the more important sources of revenue still contribute to the exchequer located there.