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Show CHINA'S REVOLUTION 5 settled the minds of soldiers keyed up to fighting pitch, and coveting the illicit gain which war so often affords. In addition the pay of many of the troops was one or two months in arrears. These conditions explain, so far as can be explained, the sudden mutiny which broke out in Peking February 29th, and resulted in a wild orgy of looting and burning for two nights. Immediately the troops at Paotingfu and Tientsin, similarly predisposed by similar conditions, broke the leash of authority and pillaged and burned the wealthiest sections of these two cities. These outbreaks were a shocking display of the low morale of the troops, shattered many of the buoyant hopes with which the new regime had been welcomed, and involved a disgrace which was felt by the whole nation. As speedily as possible the turbulent forces were brought under control, and by the 10th of March conditions were orderly enough to permit the inauguration of the Provisional President. This ceremony, taking place in sobered and saddened Peking, was devoid of jubilant rejoicing, but was dignified and impressive in its simplicity. After consultation with the authorities still remaining in Nanking, Tang Sbao Yi was chosen Premier and a cabinet was formed. On April 29th. the National Council, formerly sitting in Nanking, was convened iu Peking. Thus the Provisional Government was fully organized and prepared to take up the tasks of construction and reconstruction which the unsettled condition of the country made so urgent. To understand the great forces which have .vrought these outward changes in China it is necessary to look beneath the surface. There were two chief causes which led to the overthrow of the Manchu power. In the first place the Manchus had never succeeded in making their rule acceptable to the southern provinces. During the two hundred and fifty years of the Manchu regime armed forces were frequently called forth to suppress insurrections. The anti-Manchu public sentiment iu the south formed the seed-plot of the revolution, and it has been assiduously cultivated for many years. In the second place the streams of light which have been pouring into China from the Occident, transmitted thru the media of missionary education, diplomatic intercourse, international commerce, foreign travel, |