Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-19
Generally Believed That
Manchu Rule 10 Doomed
in Empire.
YUAN SHl KAl AS RULER
Great Fight at Shanghai Con-
ference to Determine Future
Form of Government.


United States belongs the credit Of
bringing about a concert Of action In
China by the six great powers. The
Washington government initiated the
movement which now has taken def
mite form at Shanghai The United
States has been the agent TO bring the
powers into a common agreement
based upon the necessity Of preserv-
ing the integrity and autonomy Of
China.
BELIEVES PEACE ASSURED.
Whether this is accomplished under
a republican or imperial form OF gov
ernment is not regarded as material.
Washington believes that success will
attend the meeting OF the peace com
missioners at Shanghai and that the
present armistice will be replaced by
a condition of peace without a relapse
into war.
PROGRAM OF CONFERENCE
Shanghai, Dec. 19-Promise OF
peace IN China became more definite
today with the announcement that
Japan, Great Britain, Uni ed States,
Russia, France and Germany have
united in a cooperative effort to as
sist WI Ting Fang and Tang Shao-Yi
In their negotiations. II is clearly
understood the action by the powers
is taken IN the most friendly manner.
II Is Enthusiastically evident that a con-
tinuation OF Manchu rule. even as con-
Germs the imperial throne at Picking,
"a considered unlikely by either. side.
EMPEROR IL HOPEFUL.
Even though the present dynasty is
ousted, the premier evidently hopes
10 retain an imperial form of govern
ment, with, possibly. the present en-
peror designed as the first ruler Of
the new Chinese dynasty and with
Yuan-Shi-Kai as regent. The person
atty of Yuan-Shi-Kai dominates the
convention. The great fight among
the delegates will be as to whether
the form OF government is to be en-
pire or republican.
YUAN FIRST PRESIDENT.
II an empire Yuan will be regent.
II a republic Yuan will be first presi-
dent. The revolutionary delegates be
Heve that they will be victorious in
their demands for a republic.
Even the staunchest of the imperi
alist delegates admit that the Manchu
rule is doomed.
TROOPS MURDER GENERAL.
Picking. Dec. 19.-Tuan-Fang, former
director general OF the Hukwan rail
road, and at one time viceroy of the
province OF Chilli, according to in
formation received by missionaries al
ChungKing, has been killed at Use
Chow, in Shan-Si province, by his OWL
soldiers Tuan-Frang previously haC
dined with his officers, and, suspectins
their disloyalty. offered them 26,00t
taels for a safe passage TO Sian-Fu
the capital of Shen-Si province. HI
then sought to escape in a chair, hi,
brother accompanying him, but th'
soldiers detected Tuan-Fang and ont
of them slashed him with sword
Would you kill me?" asked the gen
eral, and the chorus "Yes, Kneel!'
came from the soldiers. To this Tuan
Fang answered. 'T shall not kneel
You may kill me II you choose" TIL
soldiers then fell upon the general ant
hacked his body to pieces. Hi
brother also was killed.
PROMINENT IN EMPIRE.
Tuan-Fang was one OF the mos
prominent men in China He had OK
cupied high positions as governor Q
various provinces. and was at one tim
viceroy at Nanking and at ChelSian
ard FoKien. He visited the Unite
States in 1906 at the head of Ch
nese commission for the study Of edJ
cational and Industrial conditions
Tuan-Fang was a recognized soldier
art critic and collector. While gol
eIDor OF Shen-Si province at the tim
OF TIE Boxer troubles he gathered a
the foreigners in his province togethe
and gave them protection. In Septen
ber last he was instructed to rails
the siege Of Cheng-Tu. and was r
ported TO have left Hankow with