POSITION IN CHINA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 25

POSITION IN CHINA.

THE ROYALISTS DEFEATED. ABDICATION OF THE EMPEROR, (By Cable.) The Chinese coup was dramatic in its swiftness. The secretary of General Chang Shun, leader of the military party, suddenly appeared at the Presidential residence at three o'clock in the morning, and curtly informed the President that ha must resign, as the Manchu Emperor, Hsuan T'ung, had been restored. The restoration of the Manchu dynasty was accepted placidly in Peking. Troops were concentrated round the Forbidden City and lined the streets. The military party, the Peking majority, and the northern Governments support the change. The Emperor states that he proposes to establish a constitutional monarchy. Ha will call Parliament together as soon as possible, and will pardon political offenders. The leaders in the southern provinces have issued a manifesto refusing to recognise the monarchy. They instructed their army and navy to immediately prepare to restore the Republic. The President, Li Yuan Hung, had a remarkable escape from the back door of his palace to the Japanese Legation, vvhero he took refuge. The military and naval forces passed a resolution inviting the President, Li Yuan Hung, to transfer the centre of the Republican Government to Shanghai. A majority of the older officials welcomed the return 01 a monarchy. Many Republicans like Dr Sun Yat Sen prefer a monarchy to a dubious republic. Ciiang H'sun's Royalist troops are fighting a large force of Republicans 35 miles from Peking Chang H'sun's troops have torn up the railway at Langsung, midway between Tientsin and Peking. Anglo-French, Japanese, and American troops are proceeding to Peking to reinforce the Legations' guards. The ex-Premier Tuan Chi Yui reports that the Monarchists were routed on Friday near Langfang (south-east of Peking), and the Republicans have advanced 1(j miles towards Peking, pursuing the enemy, Li Yuan Hung, the" ex-President, gav< Tuan Chi Yui the President's seal for con« veyance to Ping Kuo Chang, who will assume tho acting Presidency and form a Provisional Government at Nanking. The Emperor (Hsuan Tung) has abdicated.

The Republican armies continue to maxch on the capital. Foreign .Ministers are attempting mediation, as the supporters of the youthful Emperor are weakening in their desire for an armistice.

It is feared that the Imperial forces, when retiring before the superior Republican forces, will engage in indiscriminate looting, and great damage is threatened to many European and American residences outside the Legation quarter. Baron Motono announced in the Japanese Diet that Japan would pursue a policy of watchful waiting with regard to China, but did not anticipate sudden developments.

According to a special ressage to the New York Tribune, evidence found at Washington discloses that Japan exerted a powerful influence to overthrow the Chinese Republic. The second _in comniand of the Japanese army visited the present Dictator, and it is believed promised him military supplies to start a revolution.

Chinese Republican headquarters in San Francisco have announced that the Chines* will raise 5.000,000 dollars to restore i republic in China. A collection of monej is being made immediately. Chinese headquarters at San Francisco have received a cable stating that- Dr Sun Yat Sen (the revolutionary leader in the Republican movement which succeeded on February 12, 1912) has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Republican naval forces.