CHINA PEACE EFFORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 9

CHINA PEACE EFFORTS.

A REAL ARMISTICE NEEDED. REBELS AGAINST THRONE. WILLING TO PAY PENSIONS. SUFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE. By Telegraph Press Association.— (Eeceived December 19, 10.10 p.m.) Pekin, December 19. Missionaries report the assassination of Tuan-fang, Acting-Viceroy of the province of Szechuan, where the agitation against foreign railways is strongest. Discovering that the army was disloyal Tuan-fang attempted to flee, but his soldiers hacked him and his brother to pieces with swords. The Peace Conference has opened at Shanghai. It is believed that the ' republicans have submitted proposals for the abolition 04," the Manchu dynasty, and the Jjjpion of a republic, and that? ; fSHR have offered to pension (swrfc and the Imperial princes, : %jand to extend generous treatment to other Manchus. The conference, before proceeding, i requested the Premier, Yuan-shi-kai, and the rebel leader Li-yuang-hcng, to insist on a stringent armistice. The conditions in the interior are becoming worse. Industries are at a standstill. Millions are starving owing to floods in Northern Siang-su, An-hue, and An-hwei-kiang. The Imperialists have sent train loads of ammunition to the Shantung boundary, whence a fifth division is moving southward, intending to, junction with General Changsuan's forces at Asu-chen, in Northern Kiang-su. Preparations are being made for a big battle.