RISING IN CHINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 30

RISING IN CHINA

MASSACRE OF MAXCHUS. END OF THE MONARCHY. DESPATCH OF INDIAN TROOPS. BOMB-THROWING INCIDENT. ARMISTICE EXTENDED. THE REPUBLIC SEEKING RECOGNITION. YUAN SHIH-KAI IN DANGER. PREPARING FOR FLIGHT. FURTHER TROUBLE THREATENED. FOREIGNERS ALARMED. PEKING, January 16. Many of the princes are contributing generously to a patriotic fund. The princes of Eastern Mongolia met Cheng Chia Tung with a declaration of the independence of Northern Mongolia. Whilst Yuan Shih-Kai was returning from the Palace a bomb was thrown at him, but he w'as uninjured. Two policemen were killed and two were injured. The route along which Yuan Shih-Kai passed was lined with troops, Avith loaded rifles and fixed bayonets. As the carriage approached the residence of Dr Morrison (The Times’ correspondent) from a group of 12 Avell-drcssed Chinamen one stepped out and threw a bomb a distance of 30 yards, and it exploded within 20ft of Yuan Shih-Kai’s carriage. Besides the tAvo men Avho Avere killed, 12 soldiers and three civilians Avere more or less injured. A Reuter message adds that the High Executioner is parading outside the house, smiling and aAvaiting orders. January 17. Yuan Shih-Kai Avas proceeding in semiregal state. There Avere three bombs, each being the size of a condensed milk tin. It is reported that they Avere of Japanese manufacture. One failed to explode, and the others fell behind the carriage owing to the carriage man Avhipping up the horses. The concussion, Avhich Avas felt 600 yards aAvay, killed two bodyguards and Avounded 18. The terrified horses dashed into a mad gallop and were stopped with difficulty. The police used their whips freely, and thus coAved the croAvd. They established a cordon round the Avhole quarter until the bomb-throAvcrs AA-ere arrested. The throwers confessed that they Avere revolutionaries. Other arrests have been made.

The outrage removes any doubts which the Manchus have hitlierto entertained regarding Yuan Shib-Kai’s loyalty. Foreigners believe that the death of Yuan Shih-Kai would have thrown Northern China into utter lawlessness, which would have demanded the immediate intervention of the Powers. The bomb-thrower, who is 24 years old, is a native of Kweichan. He states that the assassination of the Prime Minister was to be the prearranged signal for a general insurrection in Poking. A domiciliary search revealed the existence of a bomb factory, and led to the arrest of several who had bombs concealed in their clothing. January 18. Investigations into the attempted assassination of Yuan Shih-Kai show that wires had been stretched across the street, thus forcing the Prime Minister’s cortege to stop. 1 he outriders dismounted and cut the obstructions with their swords. Yuan Shih-Kai’s escape was due to the first bomb, which was thrown from a verandah, failing to explode. Of the wounded officers and soldiers, nine have died and six are in a critical condition. Forty arrests have been made. The public executioner strangled three of Yuan Shih-Kai’s assailants. The provinces of Shensi, Shansi, and Honan report that anarchy and outlawry are supreme, the revolutionaries and the Imperialists being equally lawless. Many women have been brutally murdered. The towns and villages are deserted, and the inhabitants are hiding in caves in the mountains. At Sian-fu the mob surrounded the Beckman School, set fire to it, and butchered the fleeing children with axes, spades, and spears. The gates of the city were kept closed for four days while the mob murdered 10,000 citizens and residents. January 20. As the Court has not produced any

gold from its stores recently, Yuan ShihKai is unwilling to provide pay for the soldiery. January 22. Dr Sun Yat Sen has telegraphed to Yuan Shih-Kai opposing the creation of a Provisional Government or the inclusion of Yuan Shih-Kai in the .Republican Government until the Powers have recognised the latter. Dr Sun Yat Sen desires that the throne, when it abdicates, shall transfer its authority to the Republican Government. Tieh-ling, the late Tartar general at Nanking, is intriguing with the Manchus for Yuan Shih-Kai’s downfall. Yuan Shih-Kai is preparing to take flight. The younger Mancha princes have urged \ uaa Shih-Kai to take drastic action against the revolutionaries. Yuan Shih-Kai regards the Manchu case as lost, but thinks that in view of the revolutionaries’ objection to a Provisional Government at Peking it is advisable to establish a Government provisionally at Tientsin after the abdication. Thirty high officials of the Guards refuse to endorse the abdication policy, and threaten to unloose the troops in the event of abdication. The foreigners are greatly alarmed, and the Americana are taking refuge in the Legation quarter. Rumours are current accusing the princes of conniving at the recent attempt on the life of Yuan Shih-Kai. The republicans have landed at several points on the Shantung coast. SHANGHAI, January 16. Three cruisers and three transports conveying three battalions of infantry and eight machine guns railed for the Chifu Imperialists reached within 60 miles of Sianfu after much fighting. Many towns were looted. The report of the massacre of 10,000 Manchus at Shensi is confirmed. The armistice has been further prolonged for a fortnight. January 18. The negotiations for a peaceful settlement are abont concluding. The Manchu Princes are prepared to accept the terms of the Republican leaders. TOKIO, January 22. Inspired organs refer to coming action in conservation of Japan’s interests in Manchuria. ST. PETERSBURG, January 21. Advices from Kuldja (Chinese Turkestan) state that 2000 revolutionaries, witli three gnus, are occupying the Tolkina Pass. A Chinese force from Urumtsu is advancing against them. January 22. The Russians have declined to allow China to entrain troops to Nthalier to oppose the Mongolians, who have declared their independence. The troops have therefore undertaken a difficult march over the Khinkau Mountains. LONDON, January IF. The Times’ Bombay correspondent advises that two battalions of Indian troops are sailing for China. January 16. The Times’ Peking correspondent states that the decree of the abdication of the Emperor will establish a republic, and it is hoped thereby that the nation will accept it as legitimately succeeding the Monarchy by the Imperial will. It is hoped that the republicans will assent to Yuan Shih-Kai’s presidency. January 19.

Dr Morrison reports from Peking that two edicts have been agreed upon, on© giving Yuan Shih-Kai full power to establish a Republican Government. A conference of representatives of 17 provinces assembled at Nanking will then elect him to the Presidency, Dr Sun Y|it Sen retiring after Yuan Shih-Kai’s ac-

ceptance. The Throne has issued a second edict abdicating, but retaining tbo title of Manchu Kmperor. Dr Sun Yat Sen will afterwards come to Peking to confer with regal'd to the formation of a Government. Yuan Shih-Kai proposes that the court be granted 5.000,000 taels annually. WASHINGTON, January 20.

A cabled appeal has been received asking for recognition of the Chinese Republic. The Department of State is unlikely to move in any direction until it has ascertained the views of the European Powers.