A REPUBLIC FOR CHINA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1320, 26 December 1911, Page 5

A REPUBLIC FOR CHINA.

« WILL YUAK : SHIH-KAI YIELD. By Telejrrapb-Prcse Association-Copyright London, December 21.' The t Peking correspondent of "The Times"' reports that it is confidently expected at Shanghai that Yuan-Shih-Kai will yield to the revolutionaries' demand for'a republic as it is inevitable that he will become the first president of the Hepublic. ■ ■ Tho'.'New York Herald" received the following from its Peking correspondent under date November 15:— ' j Yuan-Shih-Kai can be President of tho Republic of China if he but says the word, General Li Yuen-Hang, commander of the only substantial military forco supporting the rebellion, and the leaders lof tho provincial independent Governments, -as well as many personal followers in the Army and official life, have urged him to assume the provisional Presidency. His power to do so is unquestioned, but his judgment is against it. ihis afternoon at Yimn's private residence his most confidential secretary, with tho approval of his chief, gave mo tho following authoritative, etatfmenl:— "General-Yuan feels that his paramount duty is to preserve- China from dissolution. All other considerations are of minor importance "Yuau's conviction is that it is besf for China, to'retain tho Throne under a strictly united monarchy. Ho will, howcvev,u,hido by the decision of tho delegates irom tho provinces, who have beensum"wi io in Pc,iin ? to determine whether .1 Republic shall be established or the monarchy shall bo retained. The Army absolutely loyal to Yuan, will obey his orders to tho death." ■ ■ ■