Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-27
EMPEROR GIVES Up
China's~Rule Willing to ,Abdi-
cate, Is Report.
LOOKSsfOR BETTER TERMS
Ready to Agree to Proposed Refer
endum on Form Of Government.
IMPERIAL FORCES TIED UP
Premier Yuan Shi-Kai Believes He
Could Win Some Battles if
Funds Could Be Secured.
LOOKSSFOR BETTER TERMS
IMPERIAL FORCES TIED UP

| PEk1NG. December misrepresentation
| members of the imperial court, according
| to an authoritative source have signified
| to Premier Yuan Shi Kai their WILLINGNESS:
to agree to an abdication. The court,
the same authority states, realizes that
| there is no hope for it in the detention
| of three or four detached sections of the
country and semi-loyal provinces, and
hopes to obtain better terms by agreeing
to the proposed referendum on the Ques-
ton of the form of government
! Premier Yuan Shi Kai fully realizes that
the republican spokesman gathered at the
peace conference at Shanghai are not
likely to accept his proposition for a care
fully elected assembly representing the
entire empire. He is of the opinion that
the republicans know that time will favor
his yuan Shi Kais) plan.
Loan Prevents Campaign.
The premier is certain that he could
win several battles with the modern army
at his disposal which is better equipped
and greatly superior to the rebel forces.
but as he is unable to obtain any loans
he would be unable to reconquer the lost
provinces.
Yuan Shi kai in all probability will
resign his office after making the best
terms possible for the throne
Yuan Shi Kai regrets what he considers
to be Tang ShaO Yis desertion. He sug-
gests that Tan Shao vi might become
president of the republic, which is an Of
nee ne himself would not accept. He
also regrets that foreign nations have
withheld their financial support with
the help Of which he could have recon-
quered the country.
Regarded as shrewd Move.
TOXIC. December 27-Yuan Shi Kai's
proposal to decide the form of govern
ment which shall prevail under the
new regime in China by means Of a
convention of delegates from all over
the empire is regarded here as
shrewd move, but opinion is divided
as to whether it can be successfully
carried out. Many prominent Japanese
believe that the proposal will be ac-
cepted by the revolutionary leaders in
order to make 1T easier for Yuan Shi
kai to impress upon tbs court that alb
dication Is unavoidable
On the other hand, many of the well
informed here think that the great
body of the revolutionists is too i'm
patient for action to await the tedious
outcome of national convention. The
revolutionists are fully aware of the
present helplessness of the Picking gov
eminent With this in mind the rebel
army at Marking may insist upon the
refusal OF Yuan Shi kais proposal and
the immediate resumption of military
activity The soldiers confidently ex-
pect that Yuan will yield as gracefully
as possible whenever such a demon
stration is made.
japan Not Opposed to Republic.
The conference which was held here
December "a between the members of
the Japanese cabinet and some of the
elder statesmen decided, according to
the Kokumin Shimbun and the Yamato.
that in the event of the Chinese rebels
insisting on the foundation Of Il repub-
lie. Japan would place no obstacle In
the way. This plan is considered here
as best calculated to- maintain the ter
ritorial integrity of China.
Both Of the newspapers mentioned are
organs of Prince -Katsura, formerly
premier and minister of finance, and
who was present at the conference.
Plot to Assassinate Leaders.
Annoy. China, December 27--A plot
has been discovered among the Ho-
nanese troops in this city to assaasinate
Yuan. the taotai, and Choy, the mill
tary commander. The leader of the
plotters has been arrested and sum-
marily -beheaded, while several Of his
followers are under arrest.