Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-04
ACT OF CHINESE
EMPEROR STIRS
MANY NATIONS
DIPLOMATS RESENT DISMIS-
SAL OF COUNCILLOR
JAPAN FEARS PEACE OF WORLD
HAS BEEN ENDANGERED
Royal Edict Appoints LANG Tun Yen
to Vacancy on Foreign Board.
Powers Deeply Con-
cerned

EKING, Jan. 3.-Following the
dismissal from office Of Yuan Shi
Kai. grand councillor and COM
mander-in-c of the forces, and the
appointing of Ma Tung as grand coun-
cillor. an edict was issued today ap-
pointing Liang Tun Yen to the posi-
tion thus made vacant on the foreign
board.
The British and American ministers
agreed that the dismissal Of Yuan Shi
Kai should not pass unnoticed.
The American, British, German and
japanese ministers met again at the
American legation this morning, Sir
John Jordan, the British minister, join
ing with Mr.. Roclxhill, the American
minister, in submitting an outline of
representations which should be made
to the foreign board
The ministers disagree upon the
question as TO whether the welfare of
foreign interests is technically involved
by the regents recent action, but they
agree that peace is endangered.
Consider 1t an Affront
The representatives of Great Britain,
the United States and Germany view
the regents recent action as tanta-
mount to an affrOnt to the powers on
account of Yuan Shi Kais position
abroad, he being recognized as the
medium of fair and equitable treatment
toward the nations.
The dissenting ministers believe that
unless other serious events occur in
reference will not be justified.
Japan cOncurS in the opinion that
the dismissal is certain to result in in
ternatlonal injury, but that repreSen-
tations to China would be difficult
There is a marked lack of unanimity
among the diplomats.
The courts action a fortnight ago
in increasing the palace troops and
forbidding the entrance to the palace,
even Of the highest officials without
passes was taken as an indication at
that time of the alarm felt in court
circles, and it is now believed that
there was fear also of an anti dynastic
plot.
Today the government intimated its
intention Of making public the i'm
peachment giving details of Yuan Shi
Kats alleged intrigue upon which his
dismissal was based.
Charges Preferred
According to reliable information,
the impeachment is framed on charges
against Yua Shi Kai in connection
with the coup d'etat Of 1898, when the
4OSCAlSy OA Sl4C OOWcSSI IpISSS was
restored and a reactionary policy inau-
gurated.
The flight of Kang Yu Wal, the re-
former, occurred at this time
The last minister who saw Yuan Shi
Kai at the foreign board December %
states that he was at that time suf-
fering from no malady, but the reason
given for his dismissal yesterday is
that he is afflicted with rheumatism.
The foreign ministers agree that
Yuan Shi Kai's restoration is impos-
sible, and that the action of the gov
ernment in eliminating him cannot be
recalled.
Liam Tung's appointment only serves
to increase the feeling of pessimism at
the legation, as Yuan Shi Kai exer-
cised an authority with the viceroys
and governors which was alone his, and
the foreign board no matter what it's
composition, cannot retain it.
Yuan Shi Fai must leave Peking
within four or five days. CONSERVATION
among the Chinese surpasses that felt
by the foreign residents.
Many of the supporters of the for
mer viceroy are panic stricken. 1t is
probable that among the first changes
the viceroy of Chi lii with Prince
Ching, president of the board of foreign
affairs, will be removed.
There is the keenest interest as to
the fate of Tang Shao Yi's mission to
the United States, in which the source
of his authority has now been re-
lieVed,