Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-31
Throne Accedes to Demand
Of National Assembly and
Offers Apology for Past
Neglect; to Give Pardons
THRILLING ACCOUNT
OF HANkOW FIGHT
Troops Of Imperial Forces
D Demonstrated Results Of
Foreign Training; War
ships Aided.

3s3 Pekin, Oct. 30.- The throne mas &C
Ceded to the demands Of the national
assembly for complete constitutional
government. In an imperial edict Is
sued today the throne humbly apollo.
gized for its past neglect and grants
an immediate constitution with q cabi-
net from which mobiles shall be ex-
cluded, and a free pardon for the
rebels and all political offenders. 4
Rebel Losses Not Serious.
Toxic. Oct. 3O.-The reverses OF the
Chinese rebels at Hankow are not con-
sidered here as serious. Strategically
\ the city is valueless, and its possession
would heavily handicap the rebels. It
Is probable that they will strongly
fortify Wu Chang and make that city
their headquarters.
The request Of the Chinese govern
ment for loan from the Yokohoma
specie bank, having been made
I through Sheng Hsuan Huai, the form
aer minister OF posts and communica-
tions, fell through as q result Of the
1ninister's removal and disgrace. AS
aresult Of the general chaos In China
the Manchurian loan has been de-
nnitely refused. The attitude of cap
sitaifSts here has evidently changed,
md they are not likely to eHteFtain.
I any loan proposition from Pekin Tor
some time.
Details Of Hankow Fighting.
Hankow, China, Oct 29-(via WI
Hu, oct. 3d. The imperial forces are
preparing to follow up their victory
over the rebels last week by an attack
on Wu Chang, which the revolutionists
have protected by elaborate emer-
gency fortifications, and Han Yang,
which is regarded as Of the utmost I'm.
portance on account OF the arsenal
there Admiral Chen Ping ysNterday
notified the foreign consuls that he
was about to begin a bombardment OF
i WI Chang and asked that all foreign.
ers be ordered to leave at once.
The loyalists are now in undisputed
possession of the entire city OF Han
kow, including the powder factory.
They also control the railway. Their
position here is advantageous for q
sudden attack against the arsenal at
Han Yang.
American Seriously Hurt.
All. Kepler, the American mission
ary who was wounded Friday is In q
serious condition. His injuries are in
the neck and arm. He was watching
the fighting from the top Of a build
ing In the Japanese concessions when
he was hit by stray bullet. Mr.. KEEP
Ter is attached to- the Presbyterian
mission station at Slang Tam. Fri-
days battle at Kilometer Ten was q
splendid exhibition of gameness and
pluck on the part of the rebel forces.
Although they were outnumbered
two to one by the trained force Of inn
perialists in front Of them and were
subject from the flank to raking
cross fire from Admiral Sah's warship,
they held their ground until nearly 500
had been killed and 1900 wounded. At
last they were compelled to retreat.
Their ranks were broken, but there
was no panic.
The advance of the loyalists was a
splendid justification of the training
which these northern troops have re-
cefyed recently under European in
structors Then thousand strong, they
crossed into the rebel territory during
the night and attacked the entrenched
ycD0L 1OTCCS ~ udy VI CeAh - ANeaJ. AOi g
were about 5000 Of the rebel troops.
These were behind we'll planned forti-
fications and had little to fear from
an attack of the troops. IT was the
guns of Admiral sah's fleet which
finally decided the day against them.
Admiral Sah's eight vessels ap-
preached the rebel positions soon after
the advance Of the imperial tr,s 2s be-
gan. but did not fire any shots. After
a little while the eight ships silently
retired as II they had decided not to
participate in the engagements. Later
they returned, this time ready for
business The range was short and the
gunners mercilessly poured in their
Shells upon the rear Of the rebel posi-
tions. The slaughter was appalling.
The rebel batteries replied ineffect-
ually and were finally silenced. The
eunboats drew still nearer and the
revolutionists were compelled to re-
tire.
Capture Guns and Men.
The loyalists, whose losses had been
slight. advanced on the abandoned
trenches in splendid order under cover
of the batteries capturing fifteen field
f /