The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29


 been occupied by the imperial forces which crossed the Han river, 20 miles above that place. Wu Chang has made n provisional equalization and 1t is evi- dent that the government is getting q strong hand in that part of the Hupeh province, where a few weeks ago the rebels seemed to have supreme con trol. There is news of Li Yuan Heng, the revolutionary commander, and it is not known whether he led the defense of Han Yang or directed it from. Wu Chang. It is not believed the rebels will surrender, as. they fear slaughter, but will prefer to take chances in flight in the open country The rebels yes terday endeavored to obtain the terms offered by Yuan Shi kat three weeks ago, but it Is reliably reported that Tang KWo Chang, commander of the imperial troops at Hankow, has re- fused.
 The foreign settlements suffered heavily. A Hankow consular report says that 1t is a foregone conclusion that the imperialists would win if they attacked seriously, because of their su- perior organization. During the attack every position the rebels assumed was heavily shelled., The imperialsts num- bel ed propaply 30,00O modern drillel l men. The rebels were for the most part volunteers, perhaps equal in num-
 
 Two days ago Premier Yuan Shi l<ai's position seemed hopeless. He was de- serted by former followers upon whos4s help he counted. Both Chinese and for elgn residents in PeKingi believed the dynasty was on the verge of abdica- tion. Friends urged the premier tr capltulate. Others, fearing his assas- sination, endeavored to persuade hin to take refuge in the foreign conces- sions at 1len Tsen.
 Yuan Supreme
 Today Yuan Shi kai still is a one man government combining in himself botiH exeoullve and legislative powers. but it is now expected that the men recently appointed to the cabinet will come to Picking promptly. certain awe surrounds Yuan Shi Kai. The na- tonal assembly feared him and did not dare to insist upon his presence before it. The members preferred to leave the capital. Then the army ral- lied unexpected. The premier removed suspected officers. encouraged others and rewarded the soldiers with gifts of money in spite of the treasury s plight. He even audaciously sent Man chu troops away from the capital to the front and he is now sending rein forcements to Pukow opposite Nan king and Shan Si
 If the premier were able to obtain q foreign loan he would control the sit uation. The opinion is held that the revolution is by no means ended. The legations believe the dynasty Is saved, unless the rebels succeed in fulfilling their threat to kill Yuan Shi Kai with dynamite. The premier informed Sir John Jordan, the British minister, that he did not fear assassination. His car riage recently passed through the streets of Picking guarded by 25 cav alrymen.
 Han Yang Falls
 Lieut. Gen. Feng Kwo Chang, com mander of the imperial troops at Han kow, telegraphed today that he had oc- cupied the whole city of Han Yang at 1 o'clock yesterday.
 Wung Chang capitulated to the inn perial troops today the revolutionary leaders expressing a desire to nego- tiate for compromise and suggesting some slight alterations in the govern ment programme. 4g f
 The government is endeavoring to se- cure an immediate cessation of hostilities at Nankng. where the fall of the city is threatened. 9R
 There is much jubilation in official cir cles over the sudden success of Lieut.. Gen. Feng Kwo Chang. The merchants are overjoyed at the prospects of resump- ton of business and re-establishment of order with the removal of the terrible menace to the lives of foreigners in the interior of the country. The surrender of Wu Chang by the rebels today was provision and aimed at saving their city from destruction. The revolutionaries at Hankow asked for q three days armistice during which an attempt will be made to secure the con- sent of the other provinces to the accep- lance of the imperial governments terms, Including the preservation of the Manchu dynasty.
 The government has received reports announcing the fighting preceding the capture of the city of Han Yang lasted 70 consecutive hours. The carnage was heavy
 The government has asked the Ameri- can Presbyterian missionary, Dr. Charles Lewis, at Pao Ting Flu to improvise hos pitfalls for the wounded who are being brought back. The Missionary Union col lege at Picking is curtaiing it's classes In order to permit several British doctors and their Chinese assistants to go south. The force of French troops stationed here has been increased to 1000 men that of the Japanese tc 1900.
 Crisis at Hand
 Shanghai, November 29.-The great crisis in the revolution has been reach sd. The overwhelming defeat at Han Yang came unexpectedly to the revolu- loraries and their sympathizers south of tile Yang Tse.
 Even the radicals admit that the revo- iution is held together by a slender thread. Wireless reports from Hankow indicated that it was omparatively quiet around Hankow and Wu Chang yester- day The gates of the latter city were closed and it could not be told what fra, iri, Thara