New-York tribune., 1909-01-04
YUAN SHIH KAI FLEES
DIPLOMATS DON'T AGREE.
Some Waat Representations Made
on Officials Dismissal.

Peking Jan. s.-FoloUing the dismissal from
office yesterday Of Yuan Shih Kai, Grand Coun-
cilior and commander in chief of the forces. and
the appointment Of Ma Tung as Grand Council
Ior an ed!ct issued to-day appointing Liang
Tun Yen Customs Taotai, the position thus
made vacant the Foreign Board
Yuan Shih Kai she deposed grand councillor,
has succeeded in making his escape out of
Picking He is now in Tien-Tsin. a treaty port.
seventy miles 10 the southeast and is under
the protection Of Great Britain. Arrangements
had been made for Yuan Shih Kafs departure
for Hainan by way Of the Hankow Railway
His private car was waiting al the station early
this morning.
The British and American ministers at the
conference held last night at the British Lega-
ton. reached an agreement that the dismissal
Of Yuan Shfh Kai should not pass unnoticed.
The American British, German and japanese
ministers met again at the American Legation
this morning. Sir John y. Jordan, the British
Minister Joining with ". ". RockhiIl. the
American Minister. in submitting an outline Of
representations which should be made TO the
Fereign Board.
The ministers disagree on the question as 10
whether the welfare Of foreign interests IS tech
nfoally involved by the regents recent action.
but they agree that peace is endangered The
representatives Of Great Britain. the United
states aI-O AESIEESliN view are regent ~S'Nii O.
tantamount 10 an affront to the powers, on ac-
count Of Yuan Shih Kais position abroad. he
being recognized the medium Of fair and
equitable treatment toward the nations The
dissenting ministers are Of the opinion that un-
less other serious actions occur. Interference
would not be justified Japan concurs in the
opinion that the dismissal is certain 10 result In
international injury. but thinks that representa-
tions TO China would be difficult There is a
marked lack OF 1Inanimity among the diplomats
in the present situation.
The courts action fortnight ago in lncreas-
ing the palace troops and forbidding the en-
trance TO the palace even Of the highest officials
without passes was taken as indication at
that time OF the alarm felt in court circles. and
ii is now believed that there was fear also Of an
snti- -dyrlastbr plot To-day the government IN
t;mated its intention of making public the I'M
parchment giving details Of the alleged IN
frigue on which Yuan Shih hals dismissal
was hssed According TO reliable information,
the Impeachment is framed on charges against
Yuan Shin Kai in connection with the coup
detat Of 1895 when the regency Of the En-
r,ress DowsEer was restored and q reactionary
policy launched The flight Of kang- -Hu-Wel'
the reformer. occurred at this time.
The last minister who saw Yuan Shih hal at
tho Foreign Board on December -, says that
he was at that time suffering from no malay
Tor MS dismissal SeS'ti'-''S
was that he was afflicted with rheumatism The
foreign ministers agree that Yuan Shih hal
restoration is impossible, and that the action OF
the government in eliminating him from official
-,asi.so7 cannot be recalled Liang Tun Yen 5
supointrnent this afternoon only serves TO IN
crease the feeling Of pessmtsm at the leSaliohs'
es Yuan Shih Kai exercised an authority with
the viceroys and governors which was his alone
and which the Foreign Board, no matter "hd'
its composition cannot now retain
Yuan sl,sl, Flai must leave Picking within four
,,r FIVE days but nothing is known of his plans
CONSERVATION among the Chinese surpasses that
felt by the foreign residents Many OF the sup
vorters of the former Viceroy are panicstTlcken'
II Is probabi that among the first changes TO
take place viii be the removals Of Yang Shi
Slang the vicercy of Chill. and Prince Ching
,resident OF the Board Of Foreign A1airs'
There is the leenest interest as 10 the fate "f
Tang Sbao Ti's mission 10 the United States, as
the source of his authority has. now been re-
moved.