Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-22
But the Republican UItimaium
Causes Change Of Program.
Premier's Friends Consider His
Position Considerably Shaken.
Prominent Manchus and Chinese
Deserving Pekin Hastily.

Pekin. Jan. PA special train has
been held in readiness, since Friday,
to take Yuan Shi Kai to Tien Tsin.
1t was evidently the premiers plan to
transfer the provisional capital to
that city, where the danger from
Manchus was slight. Apparently Yuan
Shi Kai intended TO escape from Pc
kin as soon as the edict of abdication
was signed, but the reactionary
princes gained the upper hand tenn
porarily, and prevented the issuance
of the edict.
In the meantime the Republican I'LL
timatum arrived and resulted in a
considerable change of program. This
ultimatum demanded the abdication
of the throne and the surrender of
the sovereign powers. and set forth
the refusal of the Republicans TO per-
nit Yuan Sh Kai to participate in
the provisional government until the
republic had been recognized by the
foreign powers and the country had
been restored to Teace
Premier Yuan may still have need of
the special train. because it is ex-
peeted he will refuse to carry on the
government at Pekin without abdiea-
ton after which he and his troops
will be subject TO the gFavest Man
chu hostility. The Ex-War Minister
Yin-Tchang. and the ex-president of
the Board of War Tieh-Liang. are
mentioned as possible successors to
Yuan Shi Kai. Both are Manchus and
therefore, should the throne appoint
either of them. ii would be breach
of one of the 10 constitutional pledges,
but national exigencies might be con-
sidered a substantial excuse for such
action.
Many of the Chinese troops are at
present loyal to Yuan Shi Kai. 1t is
not doubted that his attitude would
be Republican if he resigned. The
Manchus and Inner Mongols would
Their be left without support. Another
meeting OF the Princes of the Imperial
Clan will be held tomorrow. Those
favoring abdication will probably alb
sent themselves so that 1t is difficult
tn see how a definite decision can be
reached. Those who desire to continue
the lighting, have, for the most part.
nothing to lose Prince Ching, the ex-
premier, evidently intends not to
spend his wealth in supporting armies
which may not be victorious. Ching
has received many threats from Man
chu soldiers. II is said that one of
them warned him not to dare to es-
cape.
Prominent Manehus and Chinese are
deserving Pekin hastily with their fami-
lies and seeking safety in the foreign
settlements at Tien Tsin, Taing-Tau and
elsewhere. The foreign representatives
have not yet assembled TO discuss meas
ures against the fulfilment of the Repub-
lican utimatum, although several OF
them anticipated that Intervention viii
sooner or later be forced upon them.
a fight to the death is the spirit of the
younger Manchu princes and it has re-
suited from the wavering of the court or
the question of abdication. Yuan Sh
Kai's position is considered by his friends
as considerably shaken. The young
bloods are urging the appointment OF
Tieh-Liang who, in addition to his expe-
rience on the war board. was a Tartar
general at Marking, to take command
of the northern army with instructions
to march his forces against the Repub-
lcans. The ex-regent, Prince Chun, con
tinues to be n strong supporter of abdi-
cation.
The Manchu troops are Indifferent
They are ready for war or peace, which
ever is decided upon. Yuan Shi Kai's
position is unenviable and he appears tc
be satisfied that the Manehu cause Is
lost.