Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-29
CHINA ELECTS
A PRESIDENT.
DR.. Sun Vat Sen Chosen Executive
BY the Provisional Military
Assembly.
VOTE IS MADE UNANIMOUS.
New President Planned Revolutlon-He
rs Notified ofHis Election and Prompt
" Accepts,

: aas ~s,+lssS., -
Shanghai, Dec. 29.-The new
republic of China sprang into being
at Nankin early today when Dr.: Sun
Vat Sen, who planned the revolu-
tion, was elected president by the
provisional military assembly. Sew
enteen OF the eighteen delegates
voted for DR.. Sun on the first ballot,
the dissenting vote was changed and
the election made unanimous.
DR.. Sun was Immediately notified
by wire at Shanghai and responded
with the following message to. the
assembly:
81 consider it my duty to accept
the presidency. My policy will be
to, obtain peace and q stable gov
ernment by the promptest methods
possible. My single aim is to insure
the peace and contentment Of the
millions of my countrymen.
Eight thousand revolutionist
troops were. sent from Shanghai TO
Nankin yesterday to reinforce the
guard there and insure protection
for the republics officials.
DR.. WI Ting Fang. secretary of
Foreign Affairs in the revolutionary
cabinet, is expected to be DR.. Suns
closest adviser in the new govern
ment. DR.. WI, who was formerly
minister to Washington and very
close TO the. ,Manchu dynasty. de-
serted the throne at the first sign OF
rebel success. He is very popular
among foreign officials and is recog-
nized as broad guage statesman.
The election OF DR.. Sun to the
presidency ,Eoreshadows the absolute
collapse or the monarchy. Already
adyices have been received from Pc
kin that the members Of the royal
family are preparing for flight. They
believe that resumption of warfare
will mean the speedy capture OF
Pekin and possibly the execution OF
numerous Manchu princes who have
been most active in attempting to
stamp out the revolution.
Advices from Pekin today state
that Yuan Shi kai has taken "sick
leave"
This is believed to presage the
early retirement Of. the powerful
premier who has been the chief OBJ
stacle in the way of the republicans.
1t cannot be learned at this time
whether the revolutionists intend to
extend the armistice until after the
national convention can be called to
ratify the choice OF the provisional
military assembly. There is no
doubt expressed here today that DR..
Suns election will be ratified if a
national convention is called as pro-
posed several days ago by Yuan Shi
Kai.
In the event that it Is decided to
call convention. DR.. Sun and his
cabinet will go ahead with the work
OF government at Nankin, firm in the
conviction that all Of. their official
acts will be upheld by the people.
Many Of the revolutionists, how
ever, are eager for resumption OF
hostilities. They can see no reason
for, giving the ManchuFprinces time
to escape from Pekin with the mil
lions of treasure :that they Elaimeo
from the people. The new govern
meent will be, greatly Handicapped
by a scarcity Of funds. and If the
Manchu treasure could be seized il
would greatly. aid in the work OF
reconstruction.
The election of DR.. Sun Vat Sen tt
the presidency of the new republic
marks the elimination OF dream
of twenty years. For at least l;
wears he has been actively engaged
in fostering the present revolt, max
ing his headquarters in foreign coun
tries and working in China through
trusted lieutenants.
Ten years ago the throne oegal
10 be alarmed over DR.. Suns &C
tivities and placed a huge price OF
his head. Many emissaries 7sr'
sent to America, where DR.. Sun wa
making his headquarters, with OF
ders to kill him at all hazards. Non'
OF the would-be assassin's ever sue
ceeded.
Dr.. Sun appeared in many cities 0
the United States exhorting hi
countrymen to contribute to a revo
lutionary fund but he was alway
closely guarded.