The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-12-09
CHINESE REGENT DEpOSEQ.
PRINCE CHUN RESIGNS AS GUAR.
DIAN OF EMPIRE.
Two Former Grand Councillors An.
pointed 10 Watch Over Young Rul.
er.

Peking, Dec. 6.--An edict announc-
ing the resignation Of the regent,
Prince Chun, was issued today by
the Empress Dowager. 1t is signed
by members Of the cabinet, and points
out that the administration has been
| unpopular and that constitutional
government has not yet been estab-
lished. explaining this by the fact that
complications arose. the peoples
hearts were broken and the country
was thrown into turmoil. The regent
regrets that his repentance came too
late. and feels that IL he continued in
power his commands would soon be
disregarded.
The edict continues:
HE wept and prayed to resign the
regency, at the same time expressing
his earnest intention to abstain from
politics. I, the empress Dowager, liv-
ing in the palace. am ignorant of the
state Of affairs. but know that rebel
lion exists and fighting continues.
| causing disaster everywhere, while
the commerce Of friendly nations suf-
fers. The regent is honest though
| ambitious. Being misled, he has
harmed the people; therefore his, re-
signation is accepted"
The edict demands loyalty to the
minister's people who must now
realize that the court does not object
to the surrender Of the power vested
in the throne"
The regent has been granted 50,-
600 taels annually from the imperial
treasury.
AS the imperial revolutionary lead
ers at Hankow have not yet come to
an understanding, the armistice has
been extended for an additional three
days.
Prince Chun's place as guardian of
the throne is taken jointly by Shih
FIsu, a Manchu prince and former
president Of the national assembly,
CT the privy council. Both the new
l-guardians of the throne. were former
iy grand councillors.
The administration remains for the
present in the hands Of the premier,
Yuan Shi Kai, while the empress
dowager and the emperor continue to
hold audiences and carry out cere-
monial functions.
The regent sacrificed himself in
last effort to save the throne for his
son, but unless all signs fail 1t is too
late. Premier Yuan Shi Kai has let
Peking know that he has taken the
British minister, Sir John ordan, into
his confidence. He has told the min
lister his plans and hopes much from
the minister's mediation.
On the other hand the rebels to-
night confidently declare that Yuan
Shi Kai is their man. They describe
his as a master statesman, because
he Is accomplishing the transition
from the Manchu dynasty to a repub-
lie without a massacre or an attack
on the legations.
The edict exhorts all the princes to
retire peacefully. which may indicate
that there was some truth in the re-
ports often current that the youthful
princes desired to attack foreigners,
hoping to create foreign complications
which might benefit the Manchus.
Yuan Shi Kai is now entirely in
power within the limitations Of the
disrupted government. The rebels say
they expect him to manipulate the
| regiments until the Manchus are no
longer capable Of disturbing the CAPT.
! tai, when the decision Of the Shan
ghai assembly Of the representatives
Of the rebel and local provinces soon
to be held, decides in favor Of a re-
public. The premier has promised to
abide by the assembly's decision,
which is admittedly republican.
1t is believed the premier desires
foreign mediation to insure the
safety of the court and the granting
Of pensions.
The legations of the larger powers
are increasing their guards to between
300 and 500.