Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-09
PREMIER TANG POWERFUL.

Tang Shao.vi was also there In foreign
clothes ana ,yos a central figure. This
man has taken n more prominent part In
the revolution than has ever appeared on
the surface and henceforth VIII be one or
the most powerful men In the country.
But the most picturesque and interest
ing Of all was the venerable Chinng kuei-
II, the aged. righteous and merciless man
who restored order in Picking after IT had
been in the hands OF the mob for two
nights and n day. Six feet and half
tail. this genial looking giant. who seems
more than seventy years of age. stalked
about in military uniform. clothes loose
fitting AID baggy exchanging greetings
with his friends. while his sword dragged
on the floor.
He doomed up full head higher than
most of the people in the room. HIS queue
was gone, and his head was practically
bald He looked cminentiy respectable
and his manner was affahie. IAttle would
one think that less than a week ago he
climbed into his carriage, and with an
escort of his troops. men from An-Hui.
In picturesque uniforms OF dark blue with
black t,irbans, and two eXecutioners,
made bloody trip through tho streets of
Picking. leaving trail of headless bodies
of ooters and thieves. It was brutal.
perhaps, but II did the business, and since
that day Picking has been "A peaceful city.
The guests and officials gathered in the
lower halls of the wal Wu-pu building. n
spacious. modern structure. built on west
ern lines. with little Of the Chinese about
1t, except the furnishings. a few minutes
before three o'clocl; an official of Yuan's
staff stood at the foot OF the great stair
case and called off the names OF the vari-
Gus delegations and representatives.
1hereupon the delegations assembled the
stairs and went 70 great reception
room about two-thirds of the size of the
east room of the White House. There
each group took its appointed place.
THE DELEGATES FROM NANKING.
The delegates from Marking stood in a
straight line in the middle Of the room.
long, straight, black line it was. Groups
of Offices of the army and navy, OF gen
erals representns the Manchu banner
men and representatives Of the police
lined up Immediately behind On the
right and the left there were other dele
cations, facing inward. Altogether they
formed three sides Of a square and faced
an open space. where presently Yuan
Shih-kai would take his oath OF office.
When every one was In place side
door was thrown open and Yuan Shih-ka
was ushered into the room, preceded
hanked and followed by officers of his
own staff. He advanced to the center OF
the room and returned the profound bow
which the entire assemblage made
Here was another sign of the times. The
people bowed from the waist down and
not in the usual Chinese way. which i,
n bending of the knees with the right
hand dropping downward almost to the
ground.
A secretary handed Yuan scroll GOV
cred with large Chinese characters and
the great man began Immediately to read
His voice was low. and those who know
him bests say that his manner was tense
He could scarcely be heard in the fal
corners Of the room. He read the oath
which said that he promised to work fol
the spirit Of republicanism and would dc
away with ahsolutism. He would work
for the good of the nation and he tool
oath before the people of China TO d.
these things He swore by nothing, a.
Christian rulers do. but simply promised
w iiCh ne il'i'i IlIiSHtu Sal udu-ptl
leader of the revolutionary delegation
advanced, and Yuan, with a bow. PLACED
the scroll in his hands. Tsai Yuan-pe
is small man with straggly. spars'
beard and comfortable amount of very
black hair. He spoke for few mo
ments. extending his Fluctuations anc
congratulations. Then he bowed and re
sumed his place.
PICTURESQUE LAMA PRIESTS
Following this came an interesting part
and the only part that was picturesque
Two Lama priests, clad in brilliant vel
low, one OF them the chief Lama OF Pc
king. advanced and went through curl
Gus ceremony. They presented Yuan witt
two small images. and in return Yual
placed around their necks silken scarfs
It constituted the blessing Of the Lam
Church, and the Tamas thus gave thei
allegiance to Yuan Shih-kai as the hea'
Of the state None but enperors hav
ever participated in such things before
Following this the entire Marking dele
cation advanced in line. They came to
stop after n few PAGES and then howe
| low to Yuan. Yuan responded and tn
delegation returned 10 It's place. The
the other delegations came forward. on
by one. lining UP directly in front OF tn
provisional president of the republic o
China and bowling. Some Of the olde
men. forgetting the new customs. mad
the old Kind Of bow. Yuan, however, al
ways bowed from the waist, and was mos
| digrAed. Among others who paid thel
| respects were several foreigners empoye
| in the Chinese government service.
When the howing was over Yuan Shih
kai withdrew from the room. and tn
| crowd. which numbered less than tw
hundred went tlto the halls. Present.
| there was n reception. and all We're Pre-
scented to Yuan Shih-kai; NJ least the
went in groups TO where he was and bow
ed to him The foreigners shook him b
| the hand. the Chinese simply bowed. Re
low there We're light refreshments, an
when these had been partaken Of the cere
monial attending the inauguration Of tn
first president of united China was end
ed
| SIMPLE. QUIET CEREMONY.
| II was exceedingly simple and yer
quietly conducted. Throughout the Ger,
mony in the large reception room ther
was scarcely sound. no display of e,
thusiasm and no applause. The Chimes
do things very differently from any otht
people In the world. In the courtyar
outside there WIS a Chinese military BAN
| which played exceedinsy well. During
portion OF the ceremony strains came u
from the courtyard.
Now comes the greatest test that Chin
has yet had. Yuan Shih-kai is the onl
hope Of the nation at the moment, II
has started vigorously 20 work. and
the country can be saved he will douhtle!
he able to do it. The Chinese now desll
snecdY rncnrnition o. thnir r1nlhllr L