CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 16469, 6 July 1917, Page 6

CHINA

THE RESTORATION COUP.

ALLEGED JAPANESE INSTIGATION.

SOUTHERN REPUBLICAN ARMY ADVANCES NORTH.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

LONDON, July 4. The Chinese President has escaped, and taken refuge in tho Japanese Legation.'

Reuter’s Telegrams.

VANCOUVER, July 5. According to a special message to the ‘ New York Tribune,’ evidence found at Washington discloses that Japan exerted a powerful influence to overthrow the Chinese Republic. Tho second in command of the Japanese army visited tho present Dictator (General Chang H’sun), and, it is believed, promised him military supplies to start a revolution. SAN FRANCISCO, July ,4. Chinese newspapers state that there are persistent reports at Peking that tho President has been assassinated. (This was denied yesterday.) The former officials of the Republic have sworn allegiance to the Monarchy. A special message has been received" by tho Chinese journals at New York stating that the Republican army is starting on a big advance northward, and a battle is in progress in the Fukien Province. Tho fleet is assisting to quell the revolution. General Chang H’sun is ready to fight Japan. SHANGHAI, July 5. The President (former Vice-President), Li Yuan Huang, had a remarkable escape from the back door of his palace to the Japanese Legation. llie southern leaders have instructed their army and navy to immediately prepare to restore the Republic. [Tho ‘New York Tribune’s’ allegation of Japanese instigation of the monarchical restoration docs not harmonise with the fact of the President of the Republic taking refuge in the Japanese Legation at Peking, nor with the statement that General Chang H’sun, leader of llie monarchical movement, declares his readiness to fight Japan.] MANCHU COUP MEANS BRIGANDAGE. REPUBLICANS' STRONG STAND.

LONDON, July 5. The ‘Morning Post’s’ Tientsin correspondent states that the Emperor Hsuan Tung is not yet recognised outside of Peking. The Premier (Tuan Chi Yni) is taking command of a force of 20,000 men at Shantung, in preparation for an early advance against Peking. The President" (Li Yuan Hung) will probably order au immediate attack on General Chang Huan’s headquarters at Hfu Cho Hfu. It is understood that the President, while taking refuge in the Japanese Legation at Peking, directed Feng Huo Chang to temporarily assume the Presidency, to establish a Government, and to convene a Parliament at Nanking. Tuan Chi Yni (former Vice-President) has again accepted the Premiership, and has issued a manifesto denouncing the Manchu restoration. lie accuses General Chang Hsun of crimes inconceivable in magnitude, even against the Manclius themselves. He save the general intended to remain in retirement until he saw the Manchns being used as catspaws for brigandage. He urges the Chinese to exert their utmost strength to save the country from Chang Hsun. Tsao Kun (the Military Governor of Chih-li, is mobilising a force, and has sent an ultimatum to Cluing Hsun demanding hie withdrawal from Peking within 24 hours.