The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-04
PEACE ENDANGERED
 BY CHINESE REGENT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1J

 ment of foreign military critics. He suc- ceeded in obliterating the popular and caste objections to military service, so that none of the nobility today is too proud to appear in uniform. He substi- tuted modern text books for ancient clas- sics. he compelled the abolition of torture and he transformed Pekin from the filthiest city in the world into metrop- oils well paved and cleanly kept, that compares favorably with many cities of Europe and America. It is an undoubted fact that Yuan Shi Kai encouraged and represented the most progressive ideas in the central government.
 At the time of the deaths of the Elm peror and Dowager Empress or Chlna Yuan Shi Kai was accused of having pols- oned his majesty. This allegatlon was contained in a dispatch received rom Shanghai at the New York branch or the Chinese Reform association. It was de- clared at the Mott street headquarters of the association that demands would he made on Prince Chun, the new regent, to denose Yuan Shi Kai from power and do away with him. It was declared fur- ther that Prince Chuns failure to act upon these requests would make the orince himself the object of the associa- tions attacks.
 Ma Tung's Fitness.
 While Ma Tung has been designated to +oLa the vacancy created in the grand council of the Imperial Chinese govern ment. it is believed in Washington that he is not of sufficiently high calipre 10 dominate that board, as was the case when Yuan Shi Kia was regarded as the power behind the throne. The preuic, ton is heard that the deposed leader Will be recalled to power before long. Ns - rnvnfpinanf tH ure in Chinese affairs for years, nave ing been so prominent just before the Roxer outbreak that he came very near Iosine his head, and finally was put out of office. .
 Ma Chung is Manchu, comes of a neonle intensely jealous of the achieve ments of Yuan Shi Kai, Chinaman proper. .. called last night. It was reailzeo at .le first meeting of the ministers that Japan was the doubtful element and there was a general conviction that the powers would not be able to take any definite stems before further developments.
 Situation Is Grave.
 That the situation is grave Is becom- ing more and more apparent That a governmental upheaval would follow the new succession to the throne has been A generally accepted fact, but even the Chinese did not expect this to occur pe- fore the expiration of the l00 days or mourning. It is the concensus or opinion that the Manchus do not understand the full significance of their precipitate act, which is attributed mainly to the regent and is dangerous, because 1t gives to the reyolutionaries and reformers an issue on the cry. "China for the Chinese
 The elimination of China's great states man is A matter of great concern to the foreign representatives here. They con sidered him one of the props of China credit and the creator Of the only poncy Inward the powers that China ever pos sessed He rescued the foreign board from ridicule and made' 1t workapie body. The diplomatic corps attributed to him to a large extent the successful management or the succession to the throne. The partisans of Yuan Shi Ka ,nclude the viceroys of China and the governors of Manchuria and Shantung while the leaning of the viceroy or WI Chang is In doubt, but the reformers strongly support him, together with majority of the powers.
 Many Rumors Afoat.
 Apprehension is felt for Yuan Sni hai ability to escape from Pekin alive. Il ia believed that he would prefer almos anything to refuge on foreign soil. n' newspapers discredit the rumors that h' will take refuge in one of the legations while certain of the Chinese believe I would be possible for him to make hi' way out of the citX in safety. An imme diate reinforcement> of the legation guards has been advised.
 It is thought that the dismissal Yuan Shi Kai reveals the reactionar. character of the regent. Furthermore, l indicates a concerted movement on th' papt of the Manchu reactfonaries in th' absence of Prince Ching. president O the board of foreign affairs. to re-estab | fish an exclusive and absolute Manch' autocracy. It is now known that thu regent a fortnight ago humiliated fual shi Kai. who thereupon formulated hi
 resignation.
 The appearance of Prince Ching's nam bv proxy on the edict disclosed the lac l that he has been i'll for two days. l 1 was reported that he was injured by | fall. but the belief is that he has sui | fered stroke of paralysis. It was proph esied that Prince Ching's career woul' end with the succession and this nov would seem to be confirmed.