NEW PREMIER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1288, 17 November 1911, Page 5

NEW PREMIER.

FORMING A MINISTRY. Peking, November IC. Yuan Shih Kai forms a Ministry to carry on. tho Government, with the support of as many provinces as possible, allowing tho remainder to retain their independence for the time being. An endeavour will be made to gradually win their allegiance to tho Throne. Tho Chih-li Assembly resolved to memorialise the Throne in favour of a republic, with Yuan Shih Kai as President.

BANKS ROBBED. DEFAULT IN FOEEIGN OBLIGATIONS FEARED. Peking, November 15. Soldiers mutinied at Tsin-Kiang-Pu. The banks have been robbed, tho estimated loss beir.tr ten million, dollars (.£2,000,000). It is feared there will be default in the payment of interest on tho sixteen million Anglo-German loan duo on December 5 next, owing to the Eevolutionaries controlling tho likin (Customs) stations.

CHINESE PREMIER. Peking, November 15. General Ynan Shih-Kai has thanked the Throne for his appointment. to the Premiership.

AMERICAN TROOPS TOE CHINA. Manila, November 15, A large body of American troops is Teady to sail for 1 China. It is understood President Taft intends to land ton thonsand troops as a first indication that the protection of foreigners in China is necessary. UNOFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Washington, November 15. The United States has announced, unofficially, that a force of four thousand Americans is being held in readiness in the Philippines in case of an anti-foreign outbreak in China. ■

MISSIONARIES SAFE. Sydney, November IC. The New South Wales Church Missionary Association cabled to tho secretary of the mission at Nanking regarding the welfare of tho missionaries there, and has received a reply that thero is no danger. The missionaries havo been ordered to Fuchau. Tho situation is improving.

YUAN SHIH KA(. THE DOMINATING FACTOR. Tho individual who mny bo said to dominate the situation at tho present momont is Yuan Shih Kai-the strong man of China. The cable messages so far have given us nothing beyond the fact that luan, sent into retirement and dograded when the Dowager-Empress died, and recalled by the Mauchu court when tho peril of tho revolution became unmistakable, has been commanded to assume tho Premiership in the present condition of chaos. But tho more profound significance of Ynnn's predominance has not been so far disclosed.

During the course of nn interesting conversation with Major-General Sir Arthur Dorward, D.5.0., who held a responsible command in China during tho Boxer troubles in 1000 (and who is now on n visit to Wellington), a representative of u.he Dominion obtained some interesting suggestions on the inilueuce which Yuan bnin Kai is likely to exert on Chinese politics. General Dorward was asked whether he could throw some light on the probable trend of future events in China ~ J- ftojild like to know what Yuan Shih Aai is doing, he said, and went on to explain what he meant. During his stay in China, General Dorward became personally acquainted with Yuan Shih Kai, who was one of the Empress's men, marked out by her for distinguished office ?Je μ-ns given tho command of tho Northern Army of China, and earned for himself tho reputation of being a strong and impartial administrator, respected bv his army and trusted by the foreigners. During the Boxer troubles the whole weight of his powerful influence was cast in tho interest of the protection of the foreigners against tho excesses and violence of the insurgents. When the Empress died, Yuan was degraded and punished. Ho is now back in power. Recalled solely by tho necessity of the court rather than by its favour. "A Chinaman," said General Dorward 'does not easily forget a degradation of the nature undergone by Yuan Shih Kai, nnd it may be taken for granted that he then made up his mind to revengo himself when the time came. Had the present crisis occurred five years ago, when the influence of Yuan Shih Kni was paramount with the Northern Army, theso troops would havo followed him anywhere ; but in five years a man's iufluenco in China-so quickly do men aud things change—wanes considerably, and it is doubtful whether tho personal prestige and mlluonce of Yuan Shih Kai is as strong to-day as it. was five years ago The most significant ospect of Yuan Shih Kai s predominance at the present moment is his sympathy with tho Japanese. It is a perfectly reasonable inference to assume that Japan is behind this revolution. At all events it is certain that sho will insist on being admitted to the Councils which will determine the future development of Chinese politics."