On , the New York Times published some of the impressions of Robert Little, editor of The North China News out of Shanghai, who was in New York at the time. One excerpt:
All the ordinary Chinaman is concerned about is getting a living for himself and his family. He regards government as a matter which concerns the officials only. Occasionally, when an official becomes too avaricious and levies a tax which is too burdensome, the people refuse to pay it. They go on a regular strike. Then the matter is quickly adjusted by the official, who always has a large margin to operate on. While the officials burden the people to the limit which they will stand without serious complaint, they seldom go over that limit, for the reason that when an official has a strike in his district it counts against him with the high officials of the Central Government. So, you see, there is at least a glimmering of democracy in China.
