New-York tribune., 1912-03-07
YUAN LOSES HIS GRIP
ON CHINESE SITUATION
American Minister in Peking
Sees Little Prospect of
Prompt Regain of Control.
NORTH SWEPT BY DISORDERS
Proved Untrustworthiness OF
Native Troops Another Rea-
son for Increase of U. S.
Forces in Tien- Tsin.

Peking March e.-Comparative quiet has
been restored at Peking. The action OF
| the American Minister In cabling to Manila
for further troops for Tien-Tsin 1t is
| stated, was not due to any fear OF a con-
certed attempt against foreigners similar
| TO the Boxer rising. but in view OF the
| fact that the Chinese troops cannot be de-
| pended upon, that disorders are sweeping
| the north and that there is little prospect
of any prompt restoration OF government
control 1t was considered unwse TO take
any chances.
| General Ii Yuen-heng, President OF
the Chinese Republic, Is leaving Wu-Chang
| for Marking, where he will take the oath
as proxy for Yuan Shih-kal, the President
elect of the republic Tang Shao-Y is also
proceeding from Peking to Nanking to take
the oath as Premier When these formali-
ties have been completed the entire repub-
lcan Cabinet will come to Peking imme-
diately.
The American Legation to-day sent
| message to the missionaries at Pao Ting
I fu, urging that the women and children
especially should be sent to place OF
, safety, as Pao Ting-fu is beyond the reach
of protection. 1t has been found impossible
| to communicate with other Americans be-
| low that town. owing to the complete inter
( ruption of the telegraph and postal services
and the fact that the railway is in the
hands of the mutineers.
! Letters had previously been received from
| Pao Ting-fU giving accounts of the distress
Of the natives, owing to the sacking II the
shops and houses. The homes OF some of
the wealthiest natives are now only ruin
! heaps. The missionaries say that their
presence there is greatly needed. as many
| persons have been injured and are desti-
| tute and will not survive without aid. The
| French Legation has sent special train
to bring back the French residents. The
priests have refused TO leave the town and
| have made urgent appeals for assistance.
but little help is available.
A missionary named +. Day belonging
TO the Church OF England Mission and at
| tached to the district of Pao Ting-fu. was
| killed to-day by mutinous Chinese soldiers.
Nightly firing OF what seems 10 be a
cannon south OF Peking arouses curiosity.
| 1t has not been possible TO ascertain the
cause, but 1t IL thought that villagers are
firing jingals-Chinese guns-to scare on
I
robbers.
Willard d. Straight former American
Consul at Moukden, describes an adventure
in which Prince Ching. the eX-Premier.
who IS now in the French hospital was
one of the principals. Prince Ching de-
sired to recover a deserted treasure and
store IL in the French bank. Mr.. Straight
and Jean Casenave. a French banker. with
| Ching's sons accompanied him. and they
proceeded with a number OF carts To tho
palace.
The bullion was found where It had been
secreted, and 10000 taels and other val
uables were gathered together. The sol
diers guarding the palace became suriy
when they saw that the wealth was to be
taken away and threatened 10 seize II. The
distribution OF 1850 taels however. with
gentle persuasion by the princes. resulted
in their permitting the carts 10 depart.
Strange Incidents are numerous. one or
fcial. who returned to his wrecked home.
found that only silver had been taken.
The floors were strewn with foreign bank
notes, the soldiers knowing nothing or their
value A pawnshop keeper saved his house
from flames by delivering basket OF ell
yer to soldiers at the door.