Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-21
IA YUAN FL SACKED
BY THE CHINESE.
CITY in Ruins---MiSsionaries Said to
be Safe-..ImperialistS De-
spondent.
READY TO FLEE FROM PEKIN
Premier Yuan Shi kai Says Throne is
Helpless Hankow Reported to Haye
Been Retaken by Rebels.

has been sacked by Chinese. and is
in ruins, but the missionaries there
are safe, according 10 Shanghai
cable TO the Baptist Missionary So
ciety today. The town is in Shan ST,
the same province as Hsien Flu, where
about % European missionaries were
among the killed. 1t is believed the
massacre extended throughout the
entire province, but it seems TO have
been primarily directed against the
Manchus, the foreigners being killed
only incidentally, though it is fact
that Shan ST is the most bitterly anti
foreign province in China.
Pekm, nov. 2l.-Premier Yuan Shi
Kai is quoted today as having told
close friends that he believes the task
OF saving the Chinese throne is hope
less. Since he assumed office the
imperial cause has continued 10 lose
ground. Today'S rumors that the
rebels have recaptured Hankow is al
most the last straw. The report is
unconfrmed, but it is certain that the
imperialists have had the worst OF
the recent fighting there. Should
Nankin go too, as seems likely, there
will be nothing left for the imperial
court 10 do but to give up the con-
test and flee.
News that Dr.. Sun Vat Sen, the
arch reyolutionists, and Gen. Homer
Lea. his American military adviser,
are OH their way to China, has been
received. China looks upon DR.. Sun
as itslGecrse Washington, and his abb
sence with the revolution actually in
progress has been the one drag upon
movements still speedier. and 10 more
complete success.
Shanghai, Nov. 2i.-Contirmatlon
is lacking of reports that the rebels
have captured Hankow but news ar
rived today of the earlier fighting.
The revolutionists began the latest
attack Nov. II, and broke through
three OF the four lines of cntrench-
ments the imperialists had thrown
around the city. The fourth. how
ever, repulsed them. Another at
tack on Nov. IS resulted similarly.
Later there was still another assault
and il is this which the rebels assert
ended in the defeat Of the imperial
lists
Washington, D. c., Nov. 2l.-lt be-
came known today that upon the
moves made by Yuan Shi Kai depends
whether the United States will resort
to military occupation of China.
The policy Of Yuan as practical
dictator is being watched most care
fully. and every attempt is being
made to learn what are his plans for
restoring the government. So close
are representatives OF this govern
nent pressing upon him, that at the
least sign of faltering by Yuan, the
United States will abandon its present
policy OF waiting.
Should Yuan advance measures
such as to inflame the populace and
endanger the lives and property of
Americans more than at present. the
United States soldiers would start for
Pekin at once. AS it is, the depart
ment has taken every precaution for
protection Of American interests. The
American legation in Pekin has been
given instructions to do everything
that is considered advisable, without
fear of interference from Washington,
and with out waiting for instructions.
Meanwhile, the transport Sherman is
being held at Manila waiting for the
emergency call for troops.
Reports of the landing of Japanese
troops at Chefoo are wholly discred-
tied at the State Department today.
Also. no credence is placed in the ru-
mors of a mobilization of Russian
forces along the Manchurian border.
The statement is made at the De-
partment that so complete has been
the exchange Of views among the
powers regarding the Chinese situa-
tion that the United States govern
ment is confident no military move
ment will be begun by one nation
without the cooperation and consent
OF all the others. 1t is believed the
department is in possession Of denials
of the reported Japanese and Russian
movements.