CHINA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 9 March 1912, Page 5

CHINA.

THE PRESIDENCY. THE ATTACK ON MISSIONARIES. (Press Association.—Copyright.) PEKIN, March 8. The Cabinet and the Assembly have accepted the Nanking proposal that the Presidency should be inaugurated at Pekin. Yuan-shi-kai will appoint a Premier acceptable to the Nanking Assembly. He will visit Nanking later to form 'a Provisional Cabinet. The seat of Government will be fixed according to exigencies. It is estimated that the Provisional Government will require seven million sterling a month for half a year. " A four nations' syndicate is arranging a loan.

When Bishop Scott's party were endangered, the Revs. F. Day and P. Hrghes civilly explained that the carts were the Bishop's property. The soldiers immediately fired, killing the Rev. Mr Day. RESTORATION OF ORDER. (Rec. March 9, io.ot? a.m.) "PF.KIN. March 8. Owing to reassuring news of the restoration of order, the immediate despatch of southern Republican troops northward has been suspended. Twelve thousand troops have been concentrated at Ghin-kianpr in consequence of the contumacy of the general at Yung Chan, •eommandin- 10,000 troops.

PEKIN IN REVOLUTION. THE CITY'S "CALM TURMOIL. A writer in the' "Saturday Review" contributes the following vivid description of Pekin during the revolution: — Within the city, m the ,long,_ dusty streets and open spaces, little suggests the confusion and terror of a crisis. To the habitue, the mor e irequented quarters may seem somewhat hushed and sparsely peop.cd ; the stream of traffic runs somewhat thin,. and the broughams, are the pride of the well-to-do, are aboent. Little groups of 6oidiers stand about at gateways and crossroads, though the display of authority is far from overwhelming. The air 16 entirely free from the sinister gloom which broods over Western capitals at similar times of eruption. In the legation quarter there are ho symptoms to be noted — except one, which is as quaint as it is significant. Many families of the wealthier native classes have sought refuge in the great European hotel, in front oj[ which their carriages and blu e Pekin carte throng the way. And there they may be seen at the upper windows, small figures of Manchu ladies and children peepiiig between the lace curtains, patches of mulberry colour and Mediterranean blue.

The recesses of Pekin are still among the impenetrable places of the earth. Some years ago Pierre Loti's marvelvellous description of the inner city was given to the world in a book entitled "Les Derniers Jour de Pekin." It is there written that the mysteries of the Forbidden City vanished at the forcing of its gates, that fdreigii occupation destroyed the spell for ever. The red gates are now again fast barred, and it might seem that- a sanctity dwells inside these geranium-hued walls that a material violation cannot -dispel. There would appear to exist some spiritual virtue clinging to the arcana within, elusive and inviolable. Walking beneath the walls in the quiet light of a November afternoon one can imagine that this belief of the inhabitants, if this is the belief they hold, is justified by their faith. Their imperturbable sang-froid which is invaluable at the present time, may well be chiefly inspired by siuch a faith. The wondrous tranquility of all that meets the eye is altogether in harmony with this impression. The Imperial tiles shine freshly among the deepening colours of the sky Grasses and little plants stand up ir r -n copings, as from English manor v ills. Some white birds spread their miSky flight across a yellow roof. In all Cn'"na there if. no serener spot than the approach to the Forbidden City, that little group of palaces on which all menaces are centred. The decline of the Manchu autocrocv resembles the fading of a great flower, whose petal-tips crinkle and perish while the centre remains fresh and bright. The seat of the Government is surrounded bv an almost Arcadian calm, while outposts of its farstretched greatness fall 'in sudden and complete ruin. Tt- is said that through I the worst alarm?, the Son of Heaven, in his dim and gilded seclusion, continued daily to study the readme and writing of the Chinese character. Those in positions of highest responsibility and greatest danger gave no sign of even considering the expediency of flight The inner courts of the Forbidden City may b« sheltering distracted counsels- and nights of poignant susI pe-nse. All aopearances show as quiet I and blimd a face h-s the vellow roofs, j yellow like vellow broom, rising lmpas-siv-c-y against, the blue. The sentiies atease. the lifeless water of the moat, the weeds snroutinij from the walls, give an imoression of cnlm *is cold <in*cl listless as the evening frost.