New-York tribune., 1912-02-12
LOAN QUESTION IN CHINA
Yuan ShIh.kai Attempts to Do
Without Foreign Aid.
REBELS MUST DO LIKEWISE
Or So, at Least, Thinks Premier,
if He Begins by Showing
the Example.

tBv the Regular Correspondent OF The Trihun.
in Pekinz
Peking, Jan. 9.--How 10 find the where
wtthal to carry on government is still the
most engrossing question in the minds OF the
Republican as we'll as the Imperislist lead
ers. Yuan Shih-kai thinks that II the impe
rial government promises to refrain from
borrowing foreign money the revolutionaries
should do likewise. Wu Ting-fang takes
contrary view and does not admit that
the rebels should be bound in this manner.
To observers IN imperial Peking, whose
views are worthless, according 70 observ-
ers in rebel Shanghai. II seems that Yuan
Shih .kai is making a sincere and honest
effort 10 ascertain the will Of the people.
He will abide by the decision Of truly
representative national convention, and he
has succeeded in placing the throne in
such a position that sbdicaton is essen.
tia in the event that the national conven-
tion decides in favor of republic.
The rebels. however, have failed TO show
a glimmer Of the spirit OF compromise
They demand everything. concede nothing
and have gone ahead with the organiza-
tion OF a republican form Of government
st Marking, after having agreed 70 leave
the decision as 10 the form Of government
10 ? national convention. although there
remains difference of opinion and lack
Of agreement as 20 the time place and
character OF the convention. However, the
rebels have agreed in principle, and the
discussion is still under way. Yuan Shih-
kai has asked for an explanation Of the
formation Of a republic under these cir
cumstances No rebel answer has been
forthcoming.
There have been some astonishing events
within tho last few days We have been
told all along that Yuan Shih-kai needed
only one thing-money. Then he would
assume firm attitude; he would be ready
10 fight il necessary. Wu-Chang would
fall before an attack from impregnable
Han-Yang. the greatest OF all imperial
strongholds. recaptured from the rebels
several weeks ago after strenuous fight
ing and heavy loss Of life. Money was
the only thing
Finally, and somewhat suddenly, Yuan
Shih-kai got some money. 10000 ounces OF
gold. from the Empress Dowager. other
imperials contributed large sums until Yuan
Shih-kai had 10000 taels. more or less,
enough to keep his army fighting away for
couple OF months Yuan simply forced
the Manchus 20 dtsgorge. He went 70 the
palace and there told the Empress Dowager
and the rest Of the imperial clan that they
must give up portion of their treasure or
Yuan Shh-kai would quit work and go
home Without Yuan Shih-kai the case Of
the Manchus would be utterly hopeless.
simultaneously, with remarkably effective
timeliness. there came TO the palace tele-
gram from the generals commanding the
various sections OF the imperial army. Tho
message was very much 10 the point II
advised rho throne 10 furnish money.
There was a threat IN the telegram, an in
timaton that n money were not forthcom-
ing grave events would occur. which prob
ably meant that the Manchus would be con-
sldered traitors and their property confis-
Gated The timely arrival OF this telegram
and the demand of Yuan Shih -kai-who, no
doubt. was fully aware OF the scheme ~
the generals 10 send tho message-had the
desired effect and the Msnchus dug down
into their Golfers and produced the money
Now. thought every one, now something
would happen Yuan Shih-kai would adopt
a firmer attitude toward the rebels. He
had money in his pocket the rebels had
none. and the advantage rested with Yuan.
Yet AT that very time the imperial forces
were withdrawn from impregnable Han
Yang. tho boasted stronghold. The govern
ment explains that the imperial position
there had been made mlitarily untenable,
as the rebels had surrounded the place. II
was charged that this was done during the
armistice. and the imperials We're much
vexed with the rebels for having violated
the agreement. II was ludlcrous II tho
governments explanation gives the real rea
Ii ..n,rr d.. IL