RISING IN CHINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 27

RISING IN CHINA

AN OFFICIAL MURDERED. MILLIONS STARVING. PEKING, December 19. Missionaries report the assassination of Tuan-fang, the acting Viceroy of Zechuan. Discovering that the army was disloyal, Tuan-fang attempted to flee, but the soldiers hacked him and his brother to pieces with their swords. It is reported that Chengtu has revolted. The Peace Conference has been opened) at Shanghai. It is believed l that the Republicans have submitted proposals for th« abolition of the Manchu dynasty and tha creation of a republic; also that they-have offered pensions to the court and Imperial princes, and have extended generous treatment to other Manchus. The conference, before proceeding, requested Yuan Shih-Kai and Li-yuan-heng to insist upon a stringent armistice. The conditions in the interior are becoming wors'e. Industries are at a standstiD, and millions of people are starving owing to floods in Northern Siangsu and Anhweikiang. The Imperialists have sent train loads of ammunition to the Shantung boundary, w'htence the fifth division is moving southward, effecting a junction with General Chang-suan's forces, at Asnchen in Northern Kiagua. Preparations are being made for a big battle. . Wu-tung-fang telegraphed to Peking urging the diplomats to proceed to Tientsin, thus freeing the ground for the final drama. December 20. The Legations have sent a message to the Peace Conference urging a friendly settlement in the interests of China and foreigners. Reuter advises that the sittings of the Peace Conference' at Shanghai have been suspended. Wu Ting Fang (ex-Minister at Washington) insisted that a Republic was the only passible basis of settlement. Tang Shao Yi replied that they must refer the matter to Peking. The armistice has been prolonged for a week. December 22. In the course of an interview, Yuan Shih-Kai declared that he would never agree to the establishment of a Republic. SHANGHAI, December 21. The Consuls representing six Powers have presented identical unofficial notes to Wu Ting Fang and Tang Shao Yi, urging the necessity for a speedy understanding. Wu Ting Fang promised consideration, but declared that hasty peace without ♦ securing the people's wishes would probably lead to a more serious outbreak. At the Peace Conference Wu Ting Fang emphasised, the necessity for establishing a Republic. He declared that the Manchus should be placed on an equality with the Chinese. He did not wish to ill-treat them. Tang Shao Yi is ready to accept Wu Ting Fang's view, but he must communicate with Peking before replying. A number of missionaries belonging to the China Inland Mission at Hunyai have reached Hankow. They were escorted by revolutionaries to Chungking. The escort repulsed a bandit attack, shooting 12 men. TOKIO, December rr The newspapers assert that Japan favours the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in China. LONDON, December 24. The Times' Peking correspondent reports that it is confidently expected at Shanghai that Yuan Shih-Kai will yield to the inevitable and become the first president of a Republic. Advices from Canton, China, report the death of Mr Wong Wai-Sheung, father-in-law of Mr T. F. Loie, the wellknown missionary to the Chinese at Dunedin, Greymouth, and Auckland in connection with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mr Wong held the position of a minor magistrate at Canton. During the revolutionary rising last month there was' a general pardon given to prisoners, some of whom had been sentenced by Mr Wong. Meeting him in the street they shot him dead,- their excuse being that he had not hoisted the revolutionary flag. He leaves a widow and large family almost entirely unprovided for.