The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-21
THE FLAGSHIP
OF IMPERIAL
ARMY WAS SUNK
Reports From Battle Before
Hankow More Serious
Than Anticipated
REBELS NOW HOLD STRONG
POST ON YANG IsE RIVER
They Also Control Ichang and the
Railroad Near Kwang Shuttle
Foreign Legations Regard the Sit
uation as Extremely Critical.

- ang. Oct. 21.-There is no doubt
that more serious news than that Of
the defeat of the government troops
by the revolutionists at Hankow
Wednesday has been received at Pc
king but not published. There are
persistent rumors that Admiral Sha
Chen Pings flagship was sunk or cap
tured. It is reported that the rebels
are now holding Huang Chow at the
northwest point of Yang Use river
and that they are also in possession
OF Ichang and the railway near
kwang Shut. The result Of Wednes-
days fighting has caused a general
feeling at the foreign legations that
the situation is now critical.
The missionaries in this province
nave been warned by the students that
there will be a revolutionary outbreak
near Peking tomorrow. Considerable
credence is attached to the warning,
as similar advance information reach-
cd the missionaries at Wu Chung prior
to the rising there. Evidently trouble
Is brewing in Tien Tsin and a tele-
gram from there contains the state
ment that the yemen of the viceroy
province. has been burned.
1t Is apparent that the imperial
government knew the result of the
battle at Hankow between its forces
and the rebels more than twenty
four hours before 1t became public,
but the first positive account Of the
defeat Of the imperial troops was de-
livered to the foreign legations by
the Associated Press. It caused q
profound impression.
The success of the revolution has
been considered here to hinge upon
the result of the first encounter. as
its moral effect would be far reach
Ing. When the fugitive imperialists
reach the main army, now mobilizing
near Sin-yang-chow, knowledge Of
the repulse, it is believed, utterly will
demoralize the troops. while as the
news travels along the Yangtse river
II PROBABLY will cause important ad-
hesions to the reDei cause.
The foreign legations here believe
that today's news from Hankow and
Yun-nan will mean that the provinces
south OF the Yangtse and also some
on the north side of the river, sooner
or later will secede.
The government acknowledges
there Is serious situation in Chang.
sha, province Of Human, which it is
sha has joined the revolt.
The success Of the imperialists may
depend upon an immediate and sue.
cessful advance by Minister Of War
Tchang. who now commands 10000
mon within one hundred miles of
Hankow. but only the foreign minis
try pretends to enjoy confidence in
his promised attack. Already Yin
Tchang Is issuing proclamations Of
fering pardons to all who desert the
rebel standard, and it is believed he
Will rely on proclamations, fearing
or being unable to move his army.
At midnight tonight a report from
Yin Tchang was published in the Of
hcial Gazette. 1t says the Twenty
second regiment arrived at Hankow
Sunday and that the rebels attacked
twice. but were repulsed. His spies
report that the rebels are preparing
for a defense of Wuchang and Ham
kow. Many desertions from the re-
ell ranks are reported.
Yin Tchang says he has made SIN.
Yang-Chow his temporary headouar.
ters and will proceed southwark after
the arrival Of the fourth division Of
troops.
An edict which also published
sanctions Yin Tchang's proposals and
says 1t hopes he will lose no time
In suppressing the rebels. Another
edict expresses compassion for the
people in those provinces which are
suffering from drought and rebellion
and orders 100000 taels from the late
Empress Dowager's hoard to be paid
to Yuan Shi Kai, who will arrange
for its distribution among the dis
tressed people.