New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
DYNASTY To ADD|CATE
OR D|SC0RCE RICHES
Yuan Declares Choice Must Thus
Be Made if He Is to Carry
On Government.
PREMIER GIVES INTERVIEW
Raises Difficulties Regarding
Evacuation of Troops De-
manded by the Peace Con-
ference at Shanghai.

Picking. Dec. 30.-Yuan Shih-kai re-
ceived several foreign correspondents
together this evening in the Wal Wu-pu
building, where he has both his once
and residence. The approaches were
heavily guarded by soldiers with fixed
bayonets. Tents cover the grounds sur
rounding the building. The Premier,
who is believed TO be constantly In dan
ger OF assassination and therefore taxes
the utmost precautions, Is heavy set,
gray haired man, between fifty and sixty
years old. He appeared to be unusually
large in several thicknesses Of winter
robes.
Yuan Shih-kai gave it to be under
stood that he wanted true referendum
on the question Of a republic; he was OPP
posed to haste because of the danger
that the Shanghai conference would not
be representative.
Replying TO the question as 10 whether
the Shanghai demands would be met. he
said that that matter was for the de-
cision Of the imperial clans. In order to
carry on the administration he declared
money was needed. and the princes had
not come forward sufficiently in that re-
spect. He added that If the rebels ad
vanced the imperial troops would en-
gage them.
I'll. he
palace tomorrow between the Empress
Dowager, the Premier and the imperial
princes. The only question for their
consideration is that Of abdicating or
disgorgng their riches Premier Yuan
refuses to abide by the agreement en-
tered into by Tang Shao-yi his own rep
resentative, and WI Ting-fang, the re-
publican representative. He has sent
several kilograms to Shanghai, actually
approving only the continuation of the
armistice.
He indicates that he may withdraw
the imperial troops, but II is evident that
he does not intend to withdraw them, as
demanded within five days. He makes
lIO llltHtlOii VI Inc ou66SoNSb lNi-odS
limit TO the convocation OF the National
Assembly. With reference to the with
drawa! of the government troops one
hundred Ii Uhirty-seven miles, from
their present positions, he says he has no
objection 10 this, but adds that 1t will
be impossible to remove the heavy artil-
lery within the stipulated time. The in
terruption OF Geographic communication,
he points out, will prevent notification of
the several columns within the same
period.
In lis kilograms to Shanghai the Pre-
micr asks % whether the revolution
aries themselves will agree not to con-
tract loans during the negotiations, as
they themselves stipulate in the case of
the imperialists, and also whether small
loans for local government purposes are
TO be included In the stipulation: CD wha
mea sures are suggested TO prevent atroc-
tiles by numerous robber bands. and 90
what guarantee the revolutionaries will
give not to enlist brigands. He termi-
mates by asserting that the feeling in
the army and among the people of the
north is very strongly against holding
the conference anywhere but in Picking,
which, he remarks. is the proper place
for such a meeting.
Yuan Shih-hai's statement to the cor
respondents is regarded as merely a last
effort TO save his face. He is now plac-
ing the entire responsibility upon the
Manchus
Friends Of Tang Shao-yi resent the
Premier's public population of his pleni-
potentiary'S agreements. The revolu-
tionary treasury. it is said, has been aug
mented by large popular contributions
throughout the country. War bonds are
selling rapidly.
The National Assembly. which has re-
sumed its sittings, has declared against
the republic. The southern members of
the Assembly. however. have absented
| themselves from the sessions. Reports
are being circulated casting doubt on
Premier Yuan's loyalty, which, among
the well informed Is considered beyond
question, although his position is a diff
| cult one. owing 10 the suspicion of the
Manchus and the growing sympathy of
all the Chinese toward the revolution
aries.
Shanghai, Dec. S0.-The composition OF
the Chinese National Convention suggeste ed
by Premier Yuan Shh-kai and accepted
by the imperial court In Peking TO settle
the future form OF government in China
was decided on to-day during the session of
tic peace conference
According to the scheme adopted, each
OF the eighteen provinces OF China proper
vii form one section. inner and outer Mon
COLA will each compose one section. and
Eastern and Western Tibet also one sec.
ton each.
Each section is 10 be entitled 10 elect
and send three delegates TO the confer
ence.
Each section il TO exercise three votes in
the conference, even II the full delegation
from the section is not present
The delegates are to be summoned by