The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-10
Active Preparations for
Inevitable Assault
Upon Capital.
PEKING AWAITING
REBELS APPROACH
City Is Ready for Long Siege.
Foreigners, 1t Is Asserted, Will
Be Fully Protected-Numer-
Gus OBJECTIONS of Govern
ment Soldiers to Revo-
lutionaries.

PektnS. November 10 o:5c A. Nj
Peking is still awaiting the approach
of ten rebels. Tho Forbidden City Is
filled with princes. high officials and
others who are entitled to entry with
, in its gates. Stores of provisions have
/ been transported TO that place, which
strongly guarded, is ready for siege.
Active preparations for what is con-
sidered the inevitable assault upon the
capital. arc going on within the lega-
ton quarter. for II is now conceded
that the Manchu dynasty will be GUST
cd. Foreigners. 1t is asserted, win
be fully protected, but experience has
! taught that the temper of the people
Is not to be trusted when revolution
AIRY movements are in progress
The fact that Tien Tsin did not fall
Yesterday. is was expected is a ho2e-
full sign. because 1t indicates that
whatever steps the revolutionaries arc
taking in the North at least they are
proceeding along careful lines and arn
acting with consideration and Within.
haste.
While reinforcements have reached
Peking, reports have ben received OF
numerous defcctions of the Manchu
soldiers to the rebel side. The govern
mcnt troops arc an uncertain quantity.
but there arc still loyal regiments
which are fighting for the dynasty
AT Marking. where the revolution
lists outnumber the imperialists five T.,
one the latter still hold Purple Noun
tain. They are strongly intrenched
and are said to have abundant sup
plies.
situation Is Critical.
wireless dispatch has been re-
ceived from the American consul, Ed
ward c. Baker, who has arrived at
Hankow. from IChang. The consul
states that the customs and other for
eign officials are leaving Chung King.
in SEC Chuen province. from which
place the British consul sends reports
that tho situation is critical. The
road between I-Chang and Chung
King is unsafe and there is danger
from robbcr bands.
An American. who Is in close touch
with the Tien-Tsin rebels, says they
arc divided into two factions The
conservative faction probably will cor
troll and wait until there IL Il material
force behind them before taking owe.
the city. AT present only $500 police
within the city support the rebels.
The attitude of foreigners is causing
anxiety and distrust among the rebels.
The rebel leaders point out that the
consuls have permitted the govern
ment to bring in soldiers contrary to
the protocol OF 1910. and have objected
Foreign railway officials. they say,
provide trains at the governments
order, out not at General Chang's. A
threatening letter. referring 10 such
been received by the consular body at
Tien- Tsin. The Pektns- Hankow rail-
way officials likewise are pro-Manchu.
The. fact that General WI tn
Cheng's head was carried away after
his assassination a few nights ago, has
caused the belief in certain quarters
that reward has been offered for It,
1t is reported that the head has been
! brought to the Forbidden City. but the
story evidently has been invented by
rebels. who hope to prove the palaces
completely In the murder.
Wants support of Chang.
The Chinese government evidently
General Chang Shao Tsen controls the
situation IN North China, and it is
using every possible means to gain his
support. General Chang, however, is
man OF strong convictions. and of
| quite different type from the ordinary
officer.
Recently General Chang. in speaking
with correspondent. asked what for
eigners thought of the situation. He
said his men desired peace. and ask ed
again: Can peaceful means be found
to terminate this great trouble? Why
do foreigners think so much Of Yuan
Shi Kai? Can Yuan maintain peace?"
Then reverting to the Hankow mas
sacrc. and General WIS assassination.
| General Chang expressed distrust of
the government.
General Tuan. with 1000 mon OF the
Flu. Tho remainder of the division is
believed to be with General Chang.
Ticn-Tsin stu is Loyal.
rct- .l.a,- n
standing tho avowed intention of the
revolutionaries to take over the city
to-day. and the finding in the British
concession of proclamation to that
| erect, Tien-Tsin remains quiet to-
night. and Is still loyal to the reigning
dynasty. A French gunboat. however
in anticipation of trouble, has moved
UP the river to protect the Catholic
mission.
General Chang shao Tsen. command
ing the Lanchau troops; according to
consul cons reports ISs Is m9rehing to Tien-
Army division. on his way to Picking,
General Changes aide visited the
Tien-Tsin consular headquarters Oh
leation to the effect that General
Chang intended to take over the city
of Tien-Tsin. He said he anticipated
the transfer would be peaceful. but
| that Manchu resistance would lead to
lighting. Hence he wished the consuls
to take what precautions they deemed
necessary. General Chang, in his mes
| sage. added that he had 10000 troops
whom he desired to bring within the
twenty..m!le limit prescribed by the
/ protocol.
| The consuls have considered the
| Yiceroy's request that they issue a
| proclama ton forbidding addItilnal
| troops, particularly. those from Lam
| chau, from entering the interdictod
| area, within seven miles of Tien-Tsin.
They have replied to the viceroy that
such a proclamation was n matter for
| the diplomatic body. but expressed
the opinion that 1t was not desirable
That further troops should enter the
interdicted area. This attitude Of the
! Continued on Third Page.l