Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-17
CHUN FACES TROUBLE
Regent Beset by Claims of
Rivals for Throne.
REF0RMERS ARE ACTIVE
Revolutionists in Picking Expect
Return of Leaders.
ALARMS DISTURB MARKETS
Runs on Banks and Many Close
Doors-Soldiers Guard Against
Uprising.
DISTURB MARKETS

-PEkING, November 17-There are
rumors among revolutionaries that some
of their leaders are about to return to
Picking. This is the first boast that the
late dowager's enemies have made sinca
her famous coup d'etat.
Though rumors of foul play are thick
and find many believers, there is no rea-
sonable evidence that death in either case
was the result of anything other than
natural causes.
Physicians who had previously attended
the emperor and empress think the physi-
cal condition of both was such that they
were easy, certain victims of the first ex-
tremes of weather, although they be-
lieve modern medicine and treatment
would have saved them.
Rumors of Suicide.
Rumors were current for time yester-
day that the new Dowager Yehonala and
Yuan Shi Kai the grand councillor and
one of the most powerful men in the en-
pre- had committed suicide. Though
there was no truth in these reports, they
went far toward disturbing the people
and creating alarm among Chinese and
foreigners alike, who realize how deli
cate is the political situation.
While there is an appearance of tran
quality, reports come of diSaffection
among the adherents OF half a dozen rival
candidates for the throne Foreigners
think the government itself is disaffected.
1t is contended by some that the eldest
Pu, that is, Pu Lun, is the legitimate. en-
peror, and that, therefore, the selection
of Pu vi was another of the dowager's il
legal acts
The belief is general that eventually Pu
Lun will succeed Prince Ching, the pres
ident of the board of foreign affairs, and
hot l,jS a6hpraptS thrpat icipnt1V
he will receive this appointment at an
early date.
The regent, who is twenty-six years of
age is open-m minded and ready for re-
forms, but is not considered strong man.
Dowager Yehonaia is coloriess
Strong Measures Adopted.
Prince Chun, the regen, OF the empire,
In fear of the increasing excitement and
revolutionary movements, has adopted
stingent measures that will result in
maintaining peace for a time. at least
At noon yesterday 5000 gendarmes
guarded the streets and other military
forces were held in readiness for any
emergency. Every preCaution was taken
to prevent recurrence of the revoiu-
tionary tactics of last April and May,
which were marked by widespread incen-
diarism.
The foreign legations are under guard,
keeping watch at the approaches. and IN
some cases the regular legation guard
has been augmented by reinforceInents
from other places Fifty Highlanders
from Tientsin have been added to the
British forces.
The authority of the Chilli troops has
been divided. one division being under the
direction of the throne and two divisions
being placed in command of 11ehl1ang,
the minister of war, who is Yuan Shl
kais bitter opponent.
In this way Prince Chun will have u,
restraining hold on Yuan Shi Kai, VINO.
on account of the government weak per
sonnel, is at present the only visible sup
port of the emperor and regent. Ii Is
apparent, however, that the regent does
not wish the grand councillor to have
too strong a control of the army, of
which he has up to the present been the
head.
1t is understood that many reforms VIII
be instituted in the palace by Prince
Chun, embracing eventually the abolition
Of eunuchs and the Introduction of mod
ern ways of conducting affairs. He will
proyide also tor the education of Prince
Pu vi under modern methods, thereby
avoiding the training which was RESPONSE
BILE for the feeble condition of the late
emperor.
The police tore the remaining shreds OF
color from the shops and vehicles before
shutdown. The people have ADOPTED d
dress of mourning and all officials have
done SO also
There were runs on banks Monday and
today. Fourteen native banks closed
yesterday and more probably Will close
.oday The crowds were wild and toward
the close of the day the police drove them
back One foreign bank, the Yokohama
Specie Bank, had a big run on It's Tlent-
sin notes, but the British, Russian and
German banks were not affected.