Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-13
CHINESE THRONE is FALLEN.
Ancient Celestial Empire Has Become
Republic.

Peking, February 12.-After occu-
pying the throne of China for nearly
three centuries, the Manchu dynasty,
represented by the child emperor, Pu
vi, abdicated today. Three edicts
were issued, the first proclaiming abdi-
cation, the second dealing with the
establishment of the republic and the
| third urging the maintenance Of
peace and approving the conditions
agreed upon by the imperial premier,
Yuan Shi Kai, and the republicans
The text of the first imperial edict
issued by the throne at noon today is
as follows:
I'VE, the emperor of China, have re-
spectfully received today the follow
ling edict from the hands of her maj
esty, the dowager empress:
I'm consequence of the uprising Of
| the republican army to which the peo-
pie of the provinces of China have re-
sponded, the empire Is seething like
boiling cauldron and the people are
plunged in misery.
YUAN Shi Kai was therefore COM
manded to dispatch commissioners in
order to confer with the republicans
with a view to the calling of a nation
| al assembly to decide on the future
form of government. Months have
evident.
1.-The majority of the people are in
favor of a republic. From the prefer
ence Of the peoples hearts the will Of
heaven Is discernible. How could we
oppose the desires of millions for the
glory of one family"
"'Therefore, we the dowager en-
press and the emperor, hereby vest
the sovereignty Of the Chinese en-
pire in the people.
LET Yuan Shi Kai organize to the
full the powers of the provisional re-
publican government, and confer with
the republicans as to the methods Of
union assuring peace in the empire,
and forming a great republic with the
union of Manchus, Chinese, Mongols,
Mohammedans and Tibetans.
1--WE, the empress dowager and the
emperor, will thus be enabled to live
| in retirement, free Of responsibilities
and cares, and enjoying without inter-
ruption the nations courteous treat
Iment'"
At an audience yesterday the en-
press thanked Yuan Shi Kai for his
successful efforts in obtaining good
treatment for the imperial family from
the republicans. The publication OF
the edicts has given profound relief
to everyone in Peking, both foreigners
and Chinese. The arrangement Is con-
sidered a skillful compromise, and 1t
| Is believed the terms will satisfy the
republicans. The first edict provides
that the terms shall be communicated
to the foreign legations for transmits
sion to their respective governments.
the object being to record worldwide
the republican pledges.
In consideration Of abdication the
republicans make the following eight
pledges to the emperor:
First, the emperor shall retain his
title and shall he respected as for
eign monarch second. he shall re-
ceive an annual grant Of 100000 taels
until the currency Is reformed, after
which he shall receive $4,000,000 Mex
lean: third, a temporary residence
shall be provided in the forbidden city,
and later the imperial family shall re-
side in the summer palace, ten miles
outside of Peking; fourth he may
observe the sacrifices at his ancestral
tombs and temples. which will be pro-
tected by republican soldiers; fourth,
the great tomb of the late Emperor
Kwang-Su will be completed and the
funeral ceremony flttinglS observed at
the republics expense; sixth, the pal
ace attendants may be retained, but
the number of sunuchs cannot be in
creased: seventh, the emperor's prop
erty will be protected by the republic:
eighth, the imperial guards will be
governed by the army board, the re-
public paying their salaries"