About Sun Yat sen
In 1894 Sun Yat sen coined the rallying cry “Wake up everybody, Wake up” as he set about to overthrow the Ching Dynasty. That was over 130 years ago. He was way ahead of his time and appeared to wake up the Chinese nation who were in a comatose state because of a corrupt and inept government. Opium addiction was rampant among the population which was introduced by the British to pay for their passion for tea, silk and porcelain.
Sun Yat sen was hailed as one of the greatest men of the 20th century by the distinguished historian Arnold Toynbee. His teacher Sir James Cantlie, effused “If I was asked to name the most impressive character I have ever known, I would unhesitatingly say Sun Yat Sen”. However every great person needs a mission and his was to “Save China”. He thought after going to Hawaii, seeing its development and comparing that to his homeland in Guangzhou, that it was in need of help. The stories he heard from elders about the great, past civilization of China, he wondered how it came to be that China had fallen so low. He could not accept this and he was spurred on to help reclaim the glory of the past but first he had to Save China. Hawaii opened his eyes even more and it was here that he decided with his brother and 2 others to overthrow the Ching Dynasty after they ignored his plea for change.
What makes his deeds so incredible is that he travelled by ship 2 – 3 times around the world looking for support from the Chinese Diaspora. His energy, commitment and courage is difficult to envision in that time. If we look at the history of oppressed people, Nelson Mandela for example had the support of the world through modern communication. He had none of that. But as its said: Fortune favours the brave! His conversion to Christianity was a turning point and he identified with Jesus Christ and felt their lives had much in common. He moved closer to Christianity when all looked hopeless when he was
kidnapped by the Ching Dynasty in London in 1896 and held in the Chinese Legation. When all his efforts to get help were exhausted, he surrendered to his fate. Shortly after he felt an incredible calm and knew his mission would be accomplished.
His jailer passed his note to the household of Sir James Cantlie who coincidentally lived around the corner from the Chinese Legation. Sir Cantlie jumped into action and after a game of cat and mouse, intrigue, denials etc, he was finally rescued and saved from certain death. He was only days away from
being shipped back to China to be executed. This experience was a turning point. The ensuing story was front page news and this enhanced his reputation and his cause to a worldwide audience. Sun Yat sen documented his ordeal in a booklet called “Kidnapped”.
Still it took him 15 more years and 10 attempts to overthrow the dynasty which was finally toppled on the 11th attempt on 10th October 1911 (Double Ten). It was a spontaneous uprising. He heard about the success of the Xinhua Revolution while he was in Denver. About 100 years later I found out about his
General Homer Lea while I was visiting Denver, again through sheer coincidence!