New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-03
CH|NA'S CONSTITUTION
TO Be ON BRITISH MODEL
Prince Ching Will Recommend to
Throne That Elections to Par
lament Be Held AT Once.
BANNERS TO BE DISSOLVED
Provincial Assemblies to Have
Equal Authority with Admin
istrative 0fficers-Chinese
Surnames for Manchus.
trrom The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. Nov. 2.-The British con-
stitution has been adopted by the Chi
nese Assembly as the model after which
the new government Of the empire Is 10
he patterned. according 20 dispatches re-
ceived at the. State Department to-day
from the legation IN Picking.
Prince Ching it is reported. after a
conference between the Assembly and
the cabinet. agreed to recommend to the
throne that all lev3 opposed to constitu-
tlonm methods be annuled: that pro-
vncIal assemblies have authority CO.
ordinate with administrative officers and
that elections for parliament be held
Immediately.
Recommendations will also be made
that he banners be dissolved and a
scheme oe prepared for the support OF
The bannermen. which means that the
ManChu pensions will be withdrawn II
will be proposed that the Manchus adopt
Chinese surnames. Included in the pro-
gramme is the recommendation that no
further military measures be taken
against the revolutionists.
The legation reports that the Hankow
railway station has been retaken sec
ond time by the imperialist forces. the
rebels having reCaptured it two days
ago. The last engagement, it is reported
was the occasion for a massacre by the
imperialist troops Chinese men. women
and children. without distinction. were
butchered by the soldiers. The rebels
have taken the capital of An-Hui. Yin
Tchang. who returned to Picking to-day,
replaces Prince Tsai-Tao as chief Of
staff
The provision in the protocol of 1901
requiring that the head of the Foreign
Board be a prince will not constitute
an obstacle TO the establishment OF the
new government. according TO State De-
partment officials The restriction is not
a part Of the protocol proper. and under
the circumstances ii is not expected that
any of the signatory powers will object
TO non compliance with it.
Officials Of the State Department are
Of the opinion that the situation in the
empire is improving and look for an
adjustment of differences by Yuan Shin
Kai. unless disturbances not now fore
seen should arise.
Peking. Nov. 1.-The National AS
sembly in it's official capacity tele-
graphed General Ii Yuen-Heng to-day
requesting him TO suspend hostilities
pending the result of the endeavor to
settle the differences of all parties.
The drafting Of a constitution is likely
to prove a matter of difficulty. because
while the National Assembly is practi-
Cally agreed upon a constitution based
upon that of Great Britain. the southern
provinces. which must be conciliated, are
still firm in their desire for a more re-
publican form Of union.
yuan Shih-kai arrived Yesterday at
Nieko. town only a few miles from
Bankow
'Thc massacre Of natives at dankow by
imperialist troops, intelligence of which
has reached both the War Board and the
German Legation, may prove a serious
hindrance TO the peace negotiations
which Yuan Shih-kai has been endeav-
oring TO open with the rebel leaders.
The population of Hankow is estimated
ordinarily at 100000. but it is believed
that every nOn-combatant who was able
10 do so escaped into the country prior
20 the conflict. The streets of Hankow
are very narrow and the houses are
closely packed There are many wealthy
Chinese merchants and manufacturers
Of godware and silverware. Undoubt-
eddy much of their valuables have been
removed to the foreign concessions and
down the river by boats.
The concessions are divided from the
native city by streets fifty or sixty feet
wide, ana il will be difficult TO protect
the foreign houses from fire or even
from attack, as the imperialists have evil
IDENTIFY got beyond the control Of their
officers. The foreign defenders include
or nine nations, and also volunteers from
among the missionaries and business
oeoplc.
humane Treatment Not Deserved!
II is reported that the War Board at
Picking has declined TO accept the sug-
Scstion or foreign doctors to form a Red
Cross society on the lines Of the Geneva
Convention. the board seeming to feel
that the rebels DO not deserve humane
treatment. The massacre according to
some advices, began before the departure
Of General Yin-Tchang
The exodus from Picking continues. the
doors OF many shops, as we'll as private
houses, being closed in expectation Of a
massacre. The American missionaries,
after conference with the legation, de-
cided that few soldiers placed in each
Of the four large mission compounds
would suffice 10 prevent ordinary out
lawry and looting, which is expected Ia
Jegin any night But should there be a
general outbreak. all the others could
take refuge in the Methodist mission,
which is Immediately east OF the lega-
lion quarter and is easily defended. The
diplomatic body will meet tomorrow 10
reconsider the question OF permitting
Chinese troops 10 enter TEN Tsin. a
consul there having made serious OBJ
lection.
An official dispa tch from Shih Kis Tan.