Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03
JAPAN BLOCKS ACTION
Impedes Diplomats Agree
ment Following Yuan's Fall.
REFORM POLICY is ENDED
Prince Ching's Apparently Also
Shorn of Power.
BLAME IS PUT UPON REGENT
Tong Shao vi Likely to Be Re-
called-Viceroy of Manchuria
in Bad Odor.

| PEKING, January AT the conclu-
sion Of the conference between the British,
| American and German ministers, follow
| ing the disgrace of Yuan Shi-Kai, a Sec
ond meeting of diplomats Will be called
to include the representatives, of other
powers for a later hour in the evening
at the British legation in the hope OF
formulating concerted program OF
| action.
| 1t was realized at the first meeting OF
the ministers that Japan was the doubt
full element. There was general con-
| viction that the powers would not be
able to take any definite steps before
further developments.
That the situation is grave is becoming
moro and more apparent. That a govern
mental upheaval would follow the sue
cession has been q generally accepted
| fact. But even the Chinese did not ex-
| pect this to occur before the expiration
OF the hundred days OF mourning.
| 1t is the consensus of opinion that the
Manchus do not understand the full sig
niticance of their precipitate act, which,
however, is attributed mainly to the
regent and is characterized as dangerous
| inasmuch as 1t gives to the revolution
| aries and reformers an issue on the cry
| China for the Chinese.
Concern Over China's Course.
| The elimination of China's great states
man is d matter of great concern to the
foreign representatives here. They con-
sidered him one Of the props of China's
credit and the creator Of the only policy
toward the powers that China ever pos
! sessed.
| He rescued the foreign board from rid1-
| Guile and made 1t Il workable body. The
| diplomatic corps attributed to him to q
| large extent the successful management
of the succession to the throne.
The partiSans of Yuan Sht-kat include
| the viceroys of Manchuria, Chilli and
| Canton and the governors of Manchurla
| and Shan-Tung, while the leaning OF the
| viceroy of Wu-Chang Is in doubt. The
| reformers strongly support him together
with majority of the powers
| Apprehension is felt of Yuan Shi-k al s
| ability to escape from Picking alive. III
is believed that he would prefer almost
| anything to refuge on foreign soil.
that he will take refuge in one of the
! legations. Certain Chinese believe that il
would be possible for him to make his
way out OF the city in safety.
| An immediate reinforcement OF legation
| guards has been advised
1t is not thought that Chang Chi Tune
! or Ma Tung supported the dismissal OF
Yuan Shi-Kai, which is regarded as re-
vealing the reactionary character OF the
regent. Furthermore, 1T indicated q
| concerted movement on the part of the
| Manchu reactionaries in the absence OF
| Prince Ching, president of the board OF
| foreign affairs, to re-establlSh an eXciu-
| siye and absolute Manchu autocracy.
| 1t is now known that the regent d fort.
night ago Inundated Yuan Shi-kai, who
| thereupon formulated his resignation.
Ching's Power Gone.
! The appearance of Prince Ching's name
by proxy on the edict disclosed the fact
that he has been i'll for two days. 1t Is
reported that he injured himself by d
fall The general belief is that he has
suffered a stroke of paralysis.
1t was prophesied that Prince Ching 5
career since the succession was endeu.
This now would seem to be confirmed.
| The foreign ministers have teleSraphed
the facts concerning the dismissal to
their home governments, and also details
of the ministerial conference.
The general collapse of the reform Or
ganization Is predicted. 1t is believed
that Prince Tang Shao vi, now In the
United States, will be recalled.
| The position of IIse Shih Chang. vice
ROY of Manchuria, has been for some time
precarious. Other high officials are
| threatened, including Yang Shi Slang, the
yiceroy of the province of Chilli. and
Chang-Jen Chun, viceroy OF Lang
| kwanG.