Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-03
Rheumatism in Leg Alleged as Cause
for Dismissal.
ARE THUNDERsTRUCK
Reactionary Step Causes Surprise
Among Foreign Representatives.
YUAN FRIEND OF FOREIGNERS
He il Regarded as Greatest Chinaman
Since Ii Hung Chang-Act VIII
Cripple Chinese Credit
Abroad.

PEKING, Jan. Am e[ict issued today
dismisses from office Yuan Shi Kai, grand
councillor and commander-in-chief of the
forces. The reason given for this action is
that he has rheumatism Of the leg. The
edict orders Yuan shi Kai to vacate all his
offices and to return to his home, adding:
Thus our clemency toward him is mani
tested"
A second elict appoints Ma Tung comp
troller of customs and ex-governor of
Pekng. grand chancellor, presumably in
Yuan Shi Kais place.
The members OF the diplomatic corps at
Peking are well nigh thunderstruck at the
sudden dismissal of Yuan Ski Kal. The
step is believed to be the outcome of a
Mauchu i,lot ara there are indications
that the Japanese representatives alone
had any lrknng of what was on foot.
Two hours after the foreign ministers
became cognizant of the edlct of dismissal.
the American. German and British min
listers were. in conference at the British
legation. The diplomats were still In con-
clave this evening, and 1t consequently
will be impossible to learn tonight what
course the leading powers will take in this
surprising development
China's Good Name at stake.
The home governments will act only after
an interchange Of ideas, but there is
reason to believe tonight that Prince
Ching, president OF the board of foreign
affairs will be waited upon tomorrow by
a strong diplomatic combination, such as
the British. German and American repre-
GCntatives here.
There is nothing to indicate that the dis
missal of Yuan Shi lIai means danger to
| foreigners but the good name of China's
I f,1I1
mise of the emperor and the dowager en-
press and the appointment Of a successor
has been swept away by this vindictive
act, which will astoaish and arouse the
outside world. cripple Chinas credit and
prevent the withdrawal of foreign troops
probably for five years.
Yuan Shi Kais feelings as yet are un-
known and the legations are anxiously
awaiting a 4ciue TO the thrones future
course OF action.
Little Surprise at WnshinE Eton.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Though the news
of the downfall Of Yuan Shi Kai was not
! entirely unexpected in official circles here.
II was received with regret. for the State
department has keen recollection of the
great services rendered by Yuan Shi Kai
to every Christian nation In securing COM
munication by secret means with the lega-
| TONERS besieged in the compound at Pek-
ing during the famous Boxer uprising. At
that time Yuan Shi Kai was taotai OF
Shanghai and did not hesitate to use all
of his great power to secure news from
the compound which gave the first assur-
4 ance TO the outside world that the diplo-
mats. their families and attaches were
holding their own within the legation pre-
cincts 1t was this information which Yuar
shi Kai conveyed through tho American
consul general at Shanghai to Mr.. Hay
that encouraged the European govern
ments to go with America in the remark.
able allied march to Pelsing. resulting In
the liberation of the legationers.
Yuan Friend to Foreigners.
For some tiuae there Is reason to sus.
that Yuan &hi Kai was not closely in
touch with the new administration in China
There had been charges affecting his eff
cial integrity, but these ba%r"' e
naught so long as.-t"'''
empress. Tsi .trFf 4 0St
tied confident lS wy 'aNsHaNe-
was clothed ,n SAleN uegre,
of autocratic omna's externa
relations as wi .le late Ii Hung Chang
II was Yuan who organized the moderI
Chinese army; dropped out the spearmer
and the bowmen and the bearers of stinl
pots and the makers Of loud noises and sub
; stituted we'll drilled. khaki-clad soldiers
, educated by European officers. During tn,
: Boxer uprising. with his we'll trained
. troors, Yuan was almost the only vicero!
J in China able to extend protection to for
. eign life and property, and in his later posi-
ton, with extended powers. he had planned
to make the Chinese national army a fore
to be reckoned with by any nation.
Due 20 Manchu Jealousy.
Yuan Shat Kars office corresponds T.
: that of premier of England and the actor
of the Chinese government is considered Il
official circles in Washington as littl
short of revolutionary. The excuse give
in the press dispatches for Yuans dis
missal is regarded as a flimsy one an
ridiculous in character. Yuans displace
ment Is attributed to Manchu jealousy, a
! he had a great many enemies among tn
! Manchus. He also had great influenc
with the late empress dowager. Yuan wa
, generally looked upon and regarded as tn
, head man in Chinese affairs, the regeu
. prince, Prince Chun, being looked upon a
. a figurehead. Na-Tung, his successor, ha
! been In the Foreign office a great man
1 years and is regarded as an able mar
but not OF such progressive and advance
. ideas as Yuan. He has never been out G
a China except on unimportant commission
8 to japan. He Is a Manchu and about
years of age.
n Minister Rockhill at Peking has telt
p graphed the State department conflrmin
Z the press reports concerning the DISMISS
e Of Yuan shai Kai, but making no CON
ment on the matter except to refer to
as IAN expected disgrace"
SEWARD BANKER BUYS LAM