The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-17
Revolutionary Fires Are Apt to Break Out At Any Time
 In This Crisis
GUARDS INCREASED IN
 EVERY PART OF NATION
Runs en Banks In Big Cities Have oe- cured Since Announcement of the Death of Emperor and Empress
 and Excitement Is Great.

Pekin, November 16.-China is begin ming to realize that the Emperor and the Dowager Empress are dead. The Chinese had been so accustomed to look on the Dowager as the one person dominating all that the announcement of her death caused but little change in their un- emotional natures and easy-going ways during the early hours of the ceremonies attending her passing, but today there has come marked change. Prince Chun, regent of the empire, in fear of the in- creasing excitement and revolutionary movements has adopted stringent meas ures that will result in the maintenance of peace for a time at least.
 Every precaution was taken to prevent a recurrence of the revolutionary tactics of last April and May, which were marked by widespread incendiarism. The foreign legations are under guard, special de- tachments of Chinese troops keeping watch at the approaches, and in some cases the regular legation guard was augmented by endorsements Fifty Highlanders from Tien Tsin were added to the British forces.
 Ample Protection.
 The statement was made, however, at the legations that there was no fear that the Chinese government would be unable to afford ample protection, but those within the legations were more alert than usual. There were many occurrences to- day to add to the sinister aspect of af- fairs. Rumors were current for time that the new Dowager, Yehonala, and Yuan Shi Kai, the grand councillor and one of the most powerful men in the em- pire, had committed suicide. Though there was no truth in these reports, Il y went toyara. disturbing the people ahd cIeauGs alarss amongst Chinese and foreigners alike.
 Serious runs on banks occurred yes terday and today, and II native banks closed The crowds were wild with ex- citement, and toward the close of the day the police intervened and drove them back One of the foreign banks, the Yokohama Specie bank, suffered big run on it's Tien Tsin notes, but the Brit ish, Russian and German banks were not affected. It is probable that tomorrow a number of other native banks will be closed and it is believed that the govern ment will step in, in an endeavor to stop the financial panic among the poorer classes.
 Condolences Sent.
 The representatives. of several of the foreign powers sent their personal con dolences to the foreign board on the death of the Emperor and Dowager Empress, and early this morning the foreign board gave official notification of the dowagers death at the legations. To this reply was sent by the various ministers and the Chinese government feels that this is tantamount to the recognition of the new regime.
 As yet the cause of death in the case of the Emperor and Dowager Empress has not been made public
 There is no reasonable evidence to show that death in either case was the result of anything other than natural causes. The Emperor had been ailing for long time and had been In feeble ' health during the latter half of his life. The Dowager Empress had car ried burdens of state for many years and in the last few months had shown signs of declining health. At the cele brations of her birthday on November S. she took a prominent part against the wishes of her advisers, with the re-
 
 gestion of the lungs, accompanied by a high fever. Physicians who had pre- yiously attended the Empress and Elm peror are of the opinion that the phys ical condition of both was such that they were the certain victims of the first extremes of weather, although, in their opinion also, modern medicine and treatment would have been efficacious.
 Fear of Reformers.
 The government entertains fears of the Keh Ming Tang reformers who are reported to be assembling to take ad- vantage of the present disturbed con dition of the country. While matters have an appearance of tranquility, there are reports of disaffection among the adherents of half a dozen rival can didates for the throne, and to the minds of the foreigners the government itself is dsaffected. It is contended by some that the eldest Pu, that is Pu Lun, is the legitimate Emperor, and that therefore the selection of Pu Vi was another of the dowager's Illegal acts.
 An imperial order was issued today in the name Dowager Empress Yehonala expelling all palace visitors, which means the clearing away of the masses who assembled during the period their najesties were believed to be dying, and who have remained with in and near the palace precincts ever since.
 Reforms to Be Instituted.
 It is understood that many reforms will be instituted in the palace of Prince Chun, embracing eventually the abolition of eunuchs and the introduction of a modern system for the conduct of affairs. He will make provision also for the edu- cation of Prince Pu Ii under modern methods thereby avoiding the training which was responsible for the feeble con aiition of the late Emperor.
 The postmortem edicts of the Dowager Empress confer distinctions upon herself ,ts the great Dowager'' and upon Ye- .vonala as Dowager and Prince Pu Vi as tue successor of Kuang Hsu.
 The Chinese government, seemingly, hss un fear that the conditions now prevail