Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-01-22
YUAN SHI KA Is wATCHFUL
Reactionary Princes Prevent Pro-
mitigation of Edict of Abdication.
CAUSE BELIEVED LOST
Yuan's Position Complicated by
Many Recent Developments.
REPUBLICAN ULTIMATUM CAUSE
Famine Conditions such that Large
Areas Are Covered by Population
Existing I'm Dire.t Distress--
Outeome ProhIematical.

PEKING, Jan. IA special train ha
been in readiness since Friday to TAX
Yuan Shi Ksi to Tlen Tsin II was evi
IDENTIFY the prernier's plan to transfer tn
provisional capital to that city, where tn,
danger from Manchus was slight. Ap
Ipsrently he intended to escape nom Pc
king as soon as the edlct Of abdioatioi
was signed. but the resctionary prince
gained the upper hand temporarily anC
prevented the issuance OF the edict.
Meantime the republican ultimatum ar
rived, and resulted in considerable
change OF program. This ultimatum de
msnded the abdlcation OF the throne anC
the surrender Of the sovereign powers
and set forth the refusal Of the repub'
llcans to permit Yuan shl Ksi to partici
pate In the provisional government unit
the republic had been recognized by tbs
foreign powers and the country restored
to peace.
| Premier Yuan may still have need oI
the special train. because II Is expected
he viii refuse to carry on the govern
ment at Peklng without abdioation aftsl
which he and his troops will be subjeci
to the srayest Manchu hostility.
\ Possible Successor TO Yuan.
The ex-war minister. Yin-Tchsng, and
the ex-president OF the board Of war
Tieh-Lisng, are mentioned as possible sue
cessors 10 Yuan Shi Kat. Both are
Manchus and therefore should the throne
appoint either OF them II would be a
breach OF one OF the nineteen eonsti-
tutlonsl pledges, but national exigencies
might be considered a substantial excuse
for such action.
Many of the Chinese troops are loyal
10 Yuan Shi KaI IL is not doubted that
his attitude would be republican IL he
resigned. The Manchus and inner
MongoIs would then be left without sup
port. Another meeting Of the princes Of
the imperial clan will be held tomorrow.
Those favoring abdlcation will probably
absent themselves. 40 that II IL difnculf
to see how a definite decision can be
reached.
Those who desire to continue to fight
for the most part have nothing to lose.
Prince Ching. the ex-premier, evidently
intends not TO spend his wealth In sup
porting armies which may not be VIC
torious. Ching has received many threats
from Manchu soldiers. It is said that
one of them warned him not to dare TO
escape.
Mobiles seeking safety.
Prominent Manchus and Chinese are de-
serting Picking hastily with their families
and seeking safety In the-foreign lega-
tons at Tsing-Tau and elsewhere. The
foreign representatives have not yet as
sembied to discuss measures against the
fulfiilment OF the republican ultimatum,
although several OF them anticipate that
intervention will sooner or later be forced
upon them.
A fight TO the death Is the spirit Of
the younger Manchu princes and 1t has
resulted from the wavering OF the court
on the question OF abdication. Yuan Shi
KaIs position Ia considered by his friends
as considerably shaken.
The young. bloods are urging the ap-
polntment Of Teh-Liang, who. in addi-
ton 10 his experience on the war board.
was Tartar general at Nsnking, to take
command Of the northern army, with
instructions to march his forces against
the republicans. The ex-regent. Prince
Chun. continues a strong supporter Of
sbdication.
The Manehu troops are Indifferent. They
are ready for war or peace. whichever is
decided upon. Yuan shi Ksi's position is
unenvisble, and he appears to be salts
fled that the Manchu cause is lost
Famine Causes Distress.
SHANGHAI, Jan. -.-The exciting news
Of war and diplomacy has caused the
world to forget the terrible destitution
which now prevails in China. II is
side issue. but one which may have a
vital effect on the settlement Of the
revolution.
The flood In July and August last Of
the Yangtze has resulted In famine areas
which are now accurately defined.
First is the great Hwai valley region,
measuring about 100 by 800 miles, where
the farmers have had only ons good crop
since 1905. Not only is there no reserve
TO meet present conditions. but the people
have lost heart and viii not try to help
themselves.
The second area Is about Wa Hu. where
the overflow formed for a time an inland
sea from eighty to q hundred miles long
and varying in width from thirty-fiye
to forty miles.
The lsst district is Human. where the