Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-19
In Concert With the Powers for
Peace in China.
Meeting AT SHANGHAI
Imperial and Revolutionary Dele
gates Begin Negotiations.
MANCHU DYNASTY TO FALL
Fate Seems Settled Whether a Re
public Is Established or En-
pire Continued.

SHANGHAI, China, December 10
Promise of peace in China became more
definite today with the announcement that
all six of the great powers-Japan. Grea.
Britain, the United States, Russia, France
and Germany-are united in a cooperative
effort to assist DR.. WI Ting-fang and
Tang-Shao-Yi in their negotiations
There was rejoicing today when it was
learned that the representatives of the
six powers We're preparing to Ger for
mally their assistance for the speedy con-
clusion of an understanding. 1t is clearly
understood that this action by the powers
is taken in the most friendly manner
Opens Without Friction.
and Tang -Shao-Yi opened with surprising
smoothness and there was q complete abb
sence Of any sense of strain which might
progress of the conference. 1t is unmis-
uatiOn of Manchu rule, even as concerns
the imperial throne ut Peking. is consid-
cred unlikely by either side.
In this connection much Significance is
attached to the statement of Tang Shao-
VI that he does not represent the throne,
but rather the premier. Coupled with
Wu Ting-fang's early insistence upon the
establishment Of republic, this Is taken
to mean that Yuan-Shi-Ka is prepared to
concede the ending Of the dynasty.
ousted, the premier evidently hopes to
retain the imperial form Of government,
possibly with the present emperor desig-
mated as the first ruler of a new Chinese
dynasty and with Yuan-Sh-Kai as re-
gent.
Empire or Republic.
The personality Of Yuan-Shi-Kai DOM
mates the convention. The great fight
among the delegates will be as to whether
the form Of government IL to be i'm
perial or republican. II an empire, Yuan
will be regent II a republic, Yuan will
be the first president. The revolutionary
delegates believe that they will be vic
torious in their demands for q republic
Even the stanchest. Of the fmperialist
delegates admit that Manchu rule Is
doomed. .-
The meeting. has brought from the north
Q large body OF bureaucratic Chinese who
sitter tWenkv-fQuR hours in Shanghai ex-
1ions south Of the Yangtze. Chinese and
foreigners coming from the. north alike
admit that within the past sixty days an
astounding political change has come over
the south. Tang -Shao-Yfs delegates are
spread demand for q republic, but they
sun hope that the combined authority OF
Tang-Shao-Yi and Yuan-Shi-kai will pre-
vail. The action Of the powers undoubt-
edly will have considerable weight IN
pressing to satisfactory outcome the
negotiations Of the present conference.
Brito1s Taking the Lead.
Much comment has been aroused by the
prominence Of persons OF British nation
ality, both offlcials and others, In connec-
ton with the conference and the journey
from Peking to the south of Tang-Shao-
VI. Both at Shanghai and at Hankow the
British consuls, acting presumably under
instructions from higher quarters. met the
boat on which Tang-Shao-Yi was travel
that Tang-Shao-Yi landed at the French
settlement, the British consul here took a
leading part in his reception and per-
suaded him to take up his residence in
his private house.
The British authorities are also provid-
ing guard for the house in which Tang
Shao-Yi is residing, and are assuming the
responsibility for all the arrangements
made for him during his stay. Tang
Shao-Yt's host sees all visitors calling at
the house and acts as censor on all
communications sent to or issued by
Tang-Shao-Yi.
Rebel Leaders Chagrined.
The leaders of the revolutionary party
express much chagrin at Tang -Shao-Yrs
refusal to accept the hospitality which
had been provided for him on neutral
ground.
The date of the next session of the
peace conference is quite uncertain. DR..