New-York tribune., 1908-11-23
PEKING WE'LL GUARDED
MINOR REVOLT IN SOUTH.
Reforms in the Palace = Prince
Ching LikeIu to Retire.

Peking Nov. 22.-W1e all is quiet at Peking.
detachments of troops guard the city gates and
gendarres are on duty at the approaches TO the
foreign legations The government has not
ceased to take precautionary measures against
an outbreak here. for revoIutionists are spread
ing all kinds of reports which might act like
frebrands to the spirit Of uneasiness underlying
present conditions in China
There have been rumors of fnsurgent move
ment in the South. but this has proved to be
only q minor outbreak among the artillery and
cavalry stationed at Nanking. Nevertheless it
has been thought advisable to post a guard at
each of the gates of Peking and half companies
Of Chinese regulars are now under arms at these
points
It owing to one Of these disturbances that
the edict of November 20 issued. in which II
was pointed out that lawless conspirators had
tried to invade the interior and all officials were
ordered to arrest and summarily behead them
wherever found Stringent measures have been
taken here to suppress any sign Of conspiracy,
and the government has ordered investiga-
tion Of the Governor Of Ngan- -Hwei Province on
account of slight uprising there. Two Peking
newspapers have been fined and has been
suppressed for publishing details Of the illness
and death Of the Emperor and the Empress
Dowager
IN au Of the provinces mourning ceremonies
similar to that held yesterday in this city have
been carried out All the schools have been
closed. so that the services to the memory Of
the Emperor and the Dowager could be fttingly
observed The manner in which yesterdays
ceremony at the imperial palace was conducted
has been the subject Of high commendation on
the part OF the representatives Of the foreign
powers here, and the unantnity shown by the
various official factions has caused q feeling Of
5s----
The presence at the ceremony of Prince Ching.
who for the first time since the death Of their
majesties appeared officially as the head Of the
Foreign Board, and the unexpected coalition Of
the clan factions, have had much 70 do with the
better feeling which has been engendered. and
there is apparent desire the part OF the
diplomats at Pektng to have this feeling Of op-
ttmism known TO the world Reforms have al
ready been instituted in the palace. The new
Empress Dowager Ye-ho-na-la has withdrawn
to the background, and the late Dowager's
eunuchs and others who were closely Identified
with her powerful and dominating rule. becom-
ing alarmed at the evidences Of the reform
movement and foreseeing discharge, have fed
Prince Chun's recent edict. in which he de-
clined TO permit any interference from Ye-ho-
na-la- has relieved the throne from any pos
sible domination of the clan of women, at least
until the new Emperor. Prince Pu Vi. assumes
power. This edict. which ordered all imperial
clansmen to give greater degree Of obedience
to the regent than others, and threatened dis
obeying princes and officials with severe pun
ishment. indicates the governments recognition
OF the present opportunity for q palace house
cleaning
Yuan Shi Kai It is understood. is cooperating
with Chang Chi Tung. who is acting the
regents chief counsellor. The government ad-
ufts that disseD siO0s among two or three princes
inspired the demand on all for implicit obed-
ence, and since the issuance of this edict criti-
cism of the government and wranglings seemed
suddenly to cease It IS believed here that
Prince Ching will be made the scapegoat Of
those hostile TO the new rule. and will retire
from his Office head Of the Foreign Board, On
the plea of age after the mourning period.