The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-19
Wins Naval Victory

Picking, October 1S.-The Chinese gov ernment claims to have won a great vic tory at Hankow and announces that loyal soldiers hold the station where troops trains are arriving rapidly. AL though this appears to be an eXaggera- ton, the feeling prevails here that the government has really achieved an i'm portant moral victory.
 The belief has been held here that If the first encounter between the revolutionary forces and loyal troops proved decisive the supremacy would be settled there 2 nd then. Only a few unimportant towns out side of Hankow, Wu Chang and Han Yang have taken part in the rising. Nan king, Chang Sha, Canton and other cities of known revolutionary tendencies haye not responded to the call of the insur- gents so far as can be learned. They are seemingly awaiting the result of the first encounter.
 !. Had the rebels overwhelmingly won to- days battle 1t was expected provinces be- tow the Yang Tse Kiang would be theirs. With other important cities in rebellion, the government would have been unable to concentrate its strength against the three in Iu Feh province. The rebel lead CTS have shown their characteristic na- tional weakness in not following up their early victories.
 No news was received from Sze Chaan province. The American legation failed to receive reports except that from Consul General Green at Hankow announcing that the battle had begun. Acceptance of the office of viceroy of Hu Peh makes Yuan Shi Kai's appointment military one. It Is reliably stated that Yuan Shl Kai demanded permission to raise his own division of 10000 troops and also to ,ash a personal grant of 100000 taels (s2.00o.- 0oo)., To this humiliation the regent agreed.
 Yuan Shi Kai is expected to start from Picking within three days. Many officials previously dissatisfied with the progress of reform. are rallying to the support of the government as they now believe the chances for securing reforms are great er by aiding the dynasty.
 No Reliable News
 Owing to the censorship, even the of ficials are unable to obtain reliable news, which they are eagerly seeking from corporations and the foreign legations. British and Japanese reports fail to con firm the announcement that the situation at Ranking is critical.
 Russian troops have been ordered to suppress immediately any excesses by revolutionaries or bandits near the rail- way in Manchuhia without waiting for further instructions.
 consular report says several revo-
 
 den. Except the Japanese there are few foreign cunsuls beyond Harbin. Hence reports of Russian activities depend en- trely1 upon. Russian sources.
 From HanlSow comes the report that de- tachments of Japanese and Germany in fantry are expected. there soon.
 An edict has been issued forbidding the exportation of rice from Picking. A di vision of the old style troop, which ar rived here yesterday, are quartered in camps, and the temples around the vari- ous city gates and in the streets, in which the high officials reside.
 Rear Admiral Joseph B. Murdock, com mander of the United States Asatic fleet, telegraphs the legation that the protected cruiser New Orleans has been ordered to Ranking, the protected cruiser Albany to Shanghai and the collier Amerenda to Tien Tsin. the port of Picking, bringing Endorsements to the legation guard.
 The American charge here is anxious that there shall be no alarm regarding Peking as it is not consiieleI to be i'll fhn slighteSt danger