The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-10-15
YUAN ASSUMES OFFICE,
IN THE PLACE OF CHINESE EN-.
PEfORS PRESIDENT TAKES
OATH.
Amid Brilliant and Dignificd Ccre-
monies the First President of the
Chinese Republic is Inducted into
Oilice-ThrOngs of Eminent Chi
ncsc Attend Function.

ncSc Attend Function.
Peking, Oct. 1O.-Yuan Shi Kai
was today inducted into office as first
president Of the Chinese republic. The
| ceremony of Inauguration was sur
rounded with Eastern brillance, at
tended by thrOngs of distinguished
Chinese and foreign officials diplo-
mats and military officers and took
place in the interior Of the Tai-Ho
palace, in which many of the Ming
and Ching emperors had beeen
crowned
The choice Of the palace of inau-
guration was a further encroachment
on the sacred precincts of the en-
peror within the Forbidden City. The
southern half of it's extensive inclOs-
ure was open to the guests who ira
versed hall a. n hall and court after
court towards the present residence
OF the little dethroned Emperor. The
ceremony was enacted in the vast
building called the Tai-HO Tien or
Hall Of Supreme Peace, which sits
high up on triple terraces of marble
and is decorated everywhere with
dragons and imperial gold 1t was
here that the emperor formally re-
ceived New Years greetings from the
Manchu and suzerin princes.
The Chinese officials present, as
well as priests of the various relig-
ions. wore garments of colored silks
of many hues, but the members
Of the Chinese parliament were dress
ed in Western frock coats and high
hats, which they had adopted as their
official costume. Many Of the natives
of Turkestan, Tibet and Mongolia and
also some of the Chinese and Man.
chus appeared i'll at ease in their SOM
bre garb. The chiefs OF the foreign
legations were carried to the cere-
mony in chairs
Yuan Shi Kai wore a blue military
uniform. He read his declarations,
which were tantamOunt to taking the
oath of office. from the dragon dias
of the emperor over which republican
flags had been draped.
After the delivery OF the inaugural
address the president, surrounded by
the members Of the foreign legations,
reviewed 10000 troops. equipped in
modern uniforms, from the front of a
pagoda of the Forbidden City.
Extensive precautions both police
and military, had been taken for sew
eral days. as it was feared that some
Chinese rebels who had cut off their
queues might obtain access to the
ceremony, disg uised as Japanese. 1t
was not possible for the authorities to
limit the number of invitations sent
to the Japanese legation without do
ing the same in other cases and for
this reason it was decided to reduce
the number all around. In spite Of
these precautions it was found that
the rebels had succeeded in tainting
the loyalty Of the chief of Peking
mounted police. This was discovered
in time and he was arrested. He
confessed that he had been bribed to
assassinate the president.
President Yuan Shi Kai in his in
augural address, avowed his inten-
ton Of maintaining a firm and steady
policy. The first principle of stable
government" he said, sis a clear def
milton and PRONUNCIATION Of it's legal
systems and the establishment and
maintenance of public order. After
this, in compliance with the require
ments OF time and circumstances ef-
forts should be made to unite the
people in their march along the path
of progress"
The president admitted his prefer
ence for conservative rather than ex-
treme radical methods. He referred
to certain restrictions which hitherto
had not allowed free hand for the
asserted his intention Of introducing
erforms one by one in present condi-
tios in Chan.
Yuan Shi Kai then emphasized the
need for capital and the necessity
OF education. especially of technical
education, in order to promote China's
industrial resources and for the de-
velopment Of the natural assets of the
nation.
After his Inauguration Yuan Sh
Kai received Prince Pu Lun, former
president of the national assembly.
The prince on behalf of the emperor,
the imperial family and the Manchu
IT, 1t. \.