The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-09-08
CHINESE RIOT IN SZECHUAN
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WOMEN
SENT AWAY FOR SAFETY.
L. $. Admiral Ordered to Have Gunboats
Ready-British. French ana German
War Vessels Sent Up the langtze
Trouble Over Pekin Railway Plans.

Special Gable Despatohe, 10 THE Sun.
PHKIN, Sept. THE situation in the
Szechuan province is critical. Foreigners
are congregating in the Canadian Metho-
dist building in Chengtu.
There are about 100 Americans living
in the neighborhood Of the uprising, A
kiating Flu.
LONDON, Sept. s.-A despatch to the
Times from Pekin, though confirming
the situation in Szechuan, says there
is no reason yet for anxiety. The agi-
tation is not against foreigners and there
has been no violence. The British gum
boat Widgeon will anchor at Kisting
Flu. below Chengtu. and foreigners will
he permitted to seek shelter on board
I should they find 1t necessary.
The Viceroy has advised foreigners to
assemble at the Canadian mission COM
pound in Chengtu and those in the coun-
| try to enter the towns. There are seventy
Americans. the Times says. in the neigh
borhood OF Chengtu.
| WASHINGTON. Sept. "A critical eitua-
tion has arisen in the province of Sze-
Gilman. China. where disturbances were
reported on September g. The agitation
at first was confined to public meetings.
closing Of shops and refusal to pay taxes.
So serious has the situation now become
that the American and British women in
the vicinity have been withdrawn to
places of safety.
The State Department on receiving the
news to-day promptly instructed the
United States legation at Pekin to COM
municate with Rear Admiral Murdock. in
command Of the Saratoga at woosung
and advise him to dispose the American
gunhoats in his squadron in the way
best calculated to forestall possible
danger to American interests. In addition
TO the flagship Saratoga. Admiral Murdock
has the New Orleans within easy call at
Shanghai and two or three gunboats in
the Yangtze River.
In a statement ISSUED tonight account
Ing for the uprising the State Department
saws:
Recently an imperial edct was issued
placing under the Ministry Of Communi-
cations of the central Government the
construction of all trunk lines throughout
tho empire and cancelling all concessions
for the private construction of trunk lines
previous to the year 1911. This measure
affected the line which was being built
by Chinese private enterprise in the
province of Sze-chusn and has doubtless
precpitated the present manifestations
in a province always considered more
than ordinarily turbulent. one where
reactionary tendencies. the cry of China
for the Chinese and certain amount of
anti-foreign tendency have made local
appreciation of the economic and pro-
gressive measures OF reform and industrial
development introduced by the central
Government more slow to he appre-
ciatad and understood than in other parts
of China.
| There is no reason whatever to at
tribute the present uprising TO the recent
railway projects in which the United
States is interested. In fact those rail-
ways as now planned and under present
concessions lie wholly outside Of the
province Of Szechuan. the question Of
ultimate extension into that province
having been set aside for possible future
consideration.
State Department from Mr. Williams.
the Charge d'Affaires at Pekin, who
telegraphed to-day that the situation
in the province Of Szechuan, where serious
disorders were occurring on the Sd inst.
Hdu lOW DetOIlie tTltlCdl. AZ nTSV Vne
agitation was confined to public meetings
in various cities, accompanied by the
closing of shops and schools and the re.
fusal TO pay taxes. The Charge DAT
faires's telegram shows that he is in touch
with the American Methodist missiona ries
at Chungking and Chentu and that he is
informed by those missionaries that
none Of them has yet left Only American
and British ladies have left Chentu for
Chungking. Twentt-one districts are
said to be affected by the present agita-
tion. Tax offices have been dest royed
and several officials have resigned, but
resistance to the Government has in
general been passive rather than active
The Chinese Foreign Office has assured
the legation" says the statement issued
by the State Department Tonight, that
protection ill be given all foreigners and
their property and has offered escort to
all who desire to leave the disturbed dis
tricts The Nceroy of S2echuan is said
to be acting with energy A British gun
; boat is now proceeding TO Chatting. while
three other gunboats, one British, one
French, one German, are at Chungking"
| The Department has sent teegrap phc
instructions to Mr.. Pontius Of the Consular
service to proceed AT once from Hank ow
to Chungking. The distance from Chentu
to Chungking where there are now gum
boats, requires ten days Journey. while
Chentu is four days Journey from Chatting