Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14
Abdication Plans Complete;
Manchus May Get Pespite

PEKTNG, January 13.-The abdicatton
Of the emperor Is expected to take place
within three days, but events may occur
to give the Manchus a new lease Of life.
as they often have in the past when mat
tiers seemed hopeless. Yuan Shi kaf s
secretaries make no secret of the prep
arations, and the premier this afternoon
conferred for two hours with Hsu Shin
Chang and Shin Shu. the thrones guard
| ians, respecting measures to be under
taken.
1t is understood that plans are being
arranged for the departure of the I'm.
perial family to Jehoi. The imperial
guard probably will act as an escort I'M
less the flight from Peking is secret
| which is not improbable. before the alb
dication proclamation appears
1t is said that the Manchus have con-
sidered and have agreed to accept the
terms offered by the republicans some
| days ago. protection and respect such as
| would be accorded to retired foreign
monarchs residing in China; the rctent Oh
| of the palace in Jehol or the summer
palace near Picking for use of the en-
! peror: other members of the impe. ia
| family to retain their personal wealth
and prosperity: all Manchu pensions to
| continue for q fixed term, and the pay
| ment Of a large annual pension to the
| court. said to be 100000 taels about
So. 5OO.OOW.
Manchus Have No Guarantee.
| A difficulty has arisen in that the Man
| chus are unable to obtain a guarantee
| that future republican government
would not repudiate the pledges. Premier
| Yuan is still insisting upon a national
| assembly, from which he will undoubted-
| ly endeavor to obtain assurance Of the
So - .to1t nd vii moi In,
| tenance.
| The Manchus recognize that they can
not continue in power without further
| financial aid, sufficient for the support
| of the army. while it Is probable thai
| even after the last treasure chest II
empty the republicans would still bs
| powerful. AS consequence the Man.
chu princes have decided not to dis.
gorge. They realize that a liberal pen.
| sion may not again be offered II the
| struggle is continued and the republt-
| cans are incensed.
! Many of the loyal leaders are anxious
to continue the fighting, and Premier
Yuan has been frequently petitionet
| to that end but apparently he Is con-
| WINGED that there is no hope of sue
cess. possibly realizing that large
part Of the imperialist army is not te
I be depended upon.
| 1t is understood that the leading
powers are ready to support Yuan-Shi-
Kai. believing that he is the one
! strong leader capable OF grapplins
with the situation. especially in view
Of the discord among the republican
leaders.
Fear for Railroad; Legations Safe.
The displomatic representatives held
conference today with Brig. Gen. E
j. Cooper. the British commander al
Tientsin, and discussed with him his
ability to keep open the Peking-Chin
Wang Toa railway. It is believed that
possible trouble in Picking also was
taken under consideration.
There is probably a sufficient garrison
| in Picking for the defense Of the walled
legation quarter against any emer-
gency, but it is not sufficient to prevent
| the destruction of the railway should a
| sudden and unforeseen attack be made
| 1t is understood. however, that suff1-
! cient force of japanese are ready to en-
bark on transports on brief notice.
| Dispatches received today from the
provinces report many murders and the
| looting and burning Of houses.
Hundreds of women are committing sui
eide, in fear of bandits who are COM
! hitting all kinds of atrocious crimes.
The armistice will expire January ID,
and 1t is therefore expected that abdica-
| ton will be completed before that date.
The palace at Jehol has been sufficiently
| restored to accommodate the imperial en-
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