AFFAIRS IN CHINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 21

AFFAIRS IN CHINA

LAST OF PRISONERS RELEASED. ' PEKING, June 12. A Tsaochwang telegram states that the bandits have released eight of the foreign captives, these being the last of those kidnapped. They include two Britishers —Fred Elias, a Shanghai broker, and Reginald Rowlatt, of Birmingham, the Tientsin manager of Reiss and Co. THE PRESIDENT RESIGNS. PEKING, June 13. Li Yuan-Hung is being held prisoner in his special train at Tien-tsin by troops under the command of Chen-Ping (Governor of Chih-li Province). Attempts by the British and American Consuls to confer with the President have been unsuccessful, the Britisher being forcibly prevented from approaching the train. It is said that the President is being detained because he is in possession oi Government seals which he earns! witn him in his flight. Cabinet met in Peking to-day in an attempt to function in the absence of Li Y r uan-Hung, who appears to have been driven out by the threats if the militarists. The city remains quiet despite the fears of disturbances. • June 14. A message from Tien-tsin states that th» President was allowed to proceed to his residence, his seals having been handed over to the Peking police. WASHINGTON, June 14. The State Department has been informed by the Peking Legation of Li YuanHung’s resignation, prior to which he sent a letter to all the foreign diplomatic corps stating that he was unable longer to perform freely the duties of his office, and therefore he was going to Tien-tsin, where he subsequently surrendered the seals of office.