The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-15
Rebel Leader Willing To Let Constitutional MOn-
 archy Continue
YAUN RELUCTANT TO
 ACCEPT PREMIERSHIP
Financial Stress Is Being Felt By the Goyernment-Man De- sert At Hankow-Amoy
 Goes Over

Picking, November 14.-Optimism was
 the prevailing note today in govern :
 ment circles. This feeling was caused
 by the report that Prince Ching, the
 acting premier. had received a tele-
 gram from Gen Lii Euen-Heng, com
 mander of the rebel forces, saying that
 he was prepared to treat for peace on
 certain terms and by the statement
 that the army divisions, one to six, in-
 elusive, would agree to uphold the
 monarchical constitution and support
 Yuan Shi Kai, slated for premier, pro
 vided the rebel leaders terms agreed
 with those of the army.
 While the imperial government Is
 endeavoring to force the premiership
 on Yuan Shi Kai, China's strong man."
 in his various conferences today with
 the prince regent, the acting premier,
 Prince Ching, and other members of
 the nominal cabinet, took occasion to point out the insecurity of that of flee, the retention of which depends upon the caprice of national assembly action.
 Yuan Reluctant
 udH oill Nal II ilt lStSpiS 'hN PA@ miership at all desires fixed term oi office and he so stated to the regent but he must obtain this through the national assembly as an edict would be likely to arouse suspicion.
 It is not considered probable that
 Yuan Shi Kai will undertake the gi-
 gantic task set for him unless he con
 siders the chances favorable to carry
 ing 1t to a successful issue. There Is still another possibility he may be considering the alternative of a re- public and may himself recommend the abdication of the Emperor.
 Yuan Shi Kai reports that the rebe | leader, Gen. Ii Yuen Heng, said h' | would obey his orders if ! uan would consent to become President, bu
 would not recognize him as a Manchl
 premier. In his opinion it would no | be difficult to reconcile the province most of which are giving the strong | est evidences of desire for peace | The complete constitution alread pledged would satisfy the revolutionar, elements except for the fear that Man 1 chu intrigue would begin immediatel,
 arms were laid down.
 1 One of the prominent members Of tht
 national assembly today informed for. eign legation attachee that although tho l assembly had committed itself to con | sttution under the Manchu dynasty, | majority would prefer to reorganize the 1 government on the lines of d republic. l The President of the Ia Ching govern l ment bank has deserted his post and tiec | from the city. The vice president, Chang Chin Tao, who was recently in Europe T. connection with a currency loan, is en deavoring to conduct the wrecked insti tuition.
 As the provinces secede the various branches of this government bank have been confscated. At only one or uW( treaty ports were the deposits saved bA hasty transfer to foreign banks. Fiancial Stress Felt Financial stress is being felt by the ad ministration. The board of finance has only about $500, 600, while the late Empress Dowager's hoarded silver and gold is not thought to amount to more than $30OO,000
 the palace, it is said, having contributed largely to the famine fund and other char ities, as well as for the Hankow ano other campaigns.
 Consular dispatches from several places have reached the legations. one rom Che Foo says that the rebel authorities have notified the consuls that they have
 taken over the administration and that they otherwise intend to protect foreign
 CTS. They ask that they be not interfered with. At New Chwang foreigners are or
 ganizng defense league.
 A Hankow dispatch says the imperial
 ists there are deserting steadily, some be-
 coming rebels while others are proceeding
 northward with their loot.