The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-03
YUAN SHI KAI
LOSES PLACE
AS PREMIER
China's Foremost Statesman in
Disgrace With the Pres
emf Rulers.
ABATEMENT OF THE
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS
REPRESENTATIVES, OF LEADING
POWERS MAY MAKE REPRE-
SENTATIoNS ON SUBJECT.

Pekin. Jan. Am e5iet issued today
dismissHs from office Yuan Shi Kai. grand
councillor and commanGer-iR-ehief of the
forces. The reason given for this action
IS that he has rheumatism Of the leg.
The edct orders Yuan Shi Kai to vacate
all his offices and to return TO his home
adding;
Thus our eiemency toward you is
manifested -
A second edict appoints n. A. Tung,
comptroller Of customs and ex-governor
Of Pekin. grand councillor, presumably in
Yuan Shi kai's place.
The members of the diplomatic corps at
Pekin are well nigh thunderstruck at the
sudden dismissal OF Yuan Shi kai. The
step is believed TO be the outcome of
Aanchu plot and there are indications
that the japanese representatives alone
mad only an inkling Of what was on foot.
Two hours after the foreign ministers
teeanie eogni1ant Of the edct OF dis
nlisssl. the American, German and Brit
ish ministers were in conference at the
still in conclave this evening and il con-
sequently will be impossible to learn to-
night what course the leading powers
VIII take in this surprising development.
Makes the Future Dubious.
The home governments will act only
after IN interchange of ideas. but there
is reason to believe tonight that Prince
affairs. will be waited upon tomorrow bv
a strong diplomatic combination such az
the British. German and American repre-
sentGtives here. There is nothing % in
dictate that the dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai
means danger to foreigners. but the good
rame OF China 5 management of the
crisis following the demise OF the en-
peror and the dOwager empress ana the
appointment IF d successor has been
swept away by this vindictive act which
viii astOnish and arouse the outside
world, cripple Chins's credit, and prevent
the withdrawal of foreign troops probably
for five years.
Awaiting Developments.
Yuan shi Kars feelings are as yet I'M
known. and the legations are anxiously
awaiting elew TO the thrones future
IN accordance with the regulations of
the new regency. the decree of dismissal
was marked and sealed by the prince
regent and bore the signatures of the
grand councillors, excepting that Of
Prince Ching. This is the evidence that
Prince Ching dissented
There are grave appreheusions here of
revolutionary outbreaks in such centers
rs Canton and some of the most con
sentative diplomats already are suggest
ing the return of foreign troops TO the
lines Of communication between Pekin I
and Tien Tsin. 1t is no eXaggeratton to
say that the foreigners Of Pekin are over
come with establishment at this evidence !
of Chtua's capacity to take such a re- {
dictionary step.
Career OF Fallen Statesman.
Yuan Shi Kai. the great viceroy OF Chi |
II province, was one of the most iDflu- /
entail and powerful statesmen in the 1
Chinese empire. He has been called the 4
strongest man in China since Ii Hung
Chang. He is a thoroughly practical man.
and brought business methods to the adj 1
mnistration of the empire. He worked 4
assiduously for the advancement of the
middle kingdom, and his watehword was
that China was capable of accomplishing
just as much As had Japan He inspired /
a national patriotism which is today do
ing much to do away with superstition