Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-12
YUAN A PRISONER
IN HIS PALACE.
Three Regiments of Manchu Troops
Guard All Entrances to
His Quarters.
FEAR OF ASSASSINATION
Fate of Republic In Balance--Foroign-
ers Prisoners In Legation Compounds.
Serious Conditions.

| Pekln. MdTcn lI,-T TcSIutlll i uai
Shi Kai is prisoner in his own pal
ace. The fate OF the great republic
of China still hangs in the balance
Three regiments Of Manchu troop!
guard the entrances TO the palace
where the newly installed ruler OF the
new nation remains, afraid TO ven
ture forth because of The danger OI
assassination. Foreigners are rir
tually prisoners in the legation com
pounds. The outcome is impossible
TO forecast tonight. but the final test
must come before many days.
The streets OF the city are hideous
with headlesS bodies in advanced
stages Of decomposition. The stencil
is frightful and the danger Of plague
very grave The bodies are those
OF the men punished for looting dur
ing the recent rioting. Few were
guilty. Not a single body observed
in an extensive tour of The city was
in uniform. All were civilians. the
majority being coolies. They were
slain because il was necessary to pro-
vide victims TO back up iuan's dcclar-
alton thai bandits were being pun
iShed.
/ And, while these helpless victims
were being despatched by the heads
men. armed with their long, heavy
razor-edfied swords, the real thieves
all garbed in uniform and many
bearing OH their collars the insignia
showing they we're officers of the inn
perial army. were carrying Out OF the
city thousands Of wGgon-loads OF
the most valuable loot. Gold, silver.
silk and other treasures. takeo from
the houses Of the looted, have been
stored in safe places. And the ma
ioritv of the rioters are back with
the regular army, defiantly waiting
for the signal to turn again 10 loot
ing and murder.
The old style troops, with their
picturesque uniforms and equipment,
have been banished They were or
dered TO Tung Ho after they had torn
from the walls of the city the flags
of the great republic. raised in hon
or Of the taking OF the oath of office
by President Yuan. They are bitter
against The republic, and the republic
leaders. But Yuan dares not dis
band them. He does not know what
minute he may be called on to sum-
mon them 10 the aid Of his Manchu
troops and the loyal forces OF the
Third Division. who stand between
him and another uprising.
The legation quarter here is now
closed and carefully guarded. Can
non and rapidfire guns have been
mounted where they can sweep the
approaches TO the gates. Picked gun
crews are on duty night and day.
There is a general understanding
among the legation guard. If trouble
comes. il will find the foreigners
ready to defend themselves.
The situation at Canton is very
grave. The mutineers have captured
the river forts, and say they will sink
any vessels that try TO pass. Fight
ing has been in progress for severa
DAYS and the native city is in the
possession Of the rebels. In addition
thew hold the admiralty building:
and have mounted guns to retain pos
session. The rebels al this point are
commanded by LUX. the noted brig
and.
Pekin. March 12-Another mutiny
was threatened in Pekin today. Th'
old style troops. who were ordered t'
the Tungins after they had threat
ened TO loot the city. while acting a
police. were in an ugly mood, ant
| it was believed that President Yuan
enemies would attempt 10 stir up
rebellion among them.
Cannon were mounted on the wall
surrounding the legation quarter, ant
nearly all of the shops and residence
in the native section were barricad
ed Small bands of robbers contIn
ued TO pillage the outlying districts
and shots were heard at frequent in
tervals.
Yuan is being protected by III
Manchu garrison and several compan
les from the Third Division, who's