New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-09
PARLIAMENT IN CHINA
MEETS FOR FIRST TINE
Earnest Looking Men of Mature
Years Participate in impress
Slve, Historic Event.
HOSTILE TO YUAN SHIH-KAI
Fears Expressed Lest He Make
Himself a Dictator-Highly
Centralized Government
q Necessity.

PckiEs. April s.-The nrst parliament ~
the worlds youngest republic was in
augurated to-day amid general reioicinss.
not only in the Chinese capital. sut
throughout the country.
The scene Of the gathering Of the ioin;
inaugural session OF the members OF tho
Senate and the House OF Representative.
was a remarkable ono. rive hundred rep
resentatives, ont OF a total OF 5se, and II
Senators. out OF 27l, all OF them earnest
looking men OF mature years. and nearly
all dressed in European fashion. with
frock coats. silently awaited tho appoint
cd hour Of opening.
As the clock struck II several bands
played the national anthem, while tho
assomblage rose 10 it's feet The senior
member Of the House Of Representatives
then made a few congratuiatory remarks
70 the notable gathering and formally de-
clared both houses open.
Scenes Of enthusiastic jubilation fol-
| lowed before an adjournment was taken
TIL April Il The proceedings were very
brief and simple. but earnest and impress
sive. and were watched with interest BY
the large number OF foreigners who
packed the galleries
Yuan Shih-kais message to Parliament.
which was not read publicly, as his Pres'-
dency still is provisional. consisted o,
hearty congratulations and the express
: sion Of the hope that the republic would
last ten thousand years.
The American charge d'affaires has in
timated to the Chinese government tha,
recognition OF the republic by the United
States VIII be made when the parlia-
mentary officers have been appointed and
Guorums declared. Brazil and Mexico, f.
Is said, Will act at the same time with the
United States. The other powers viii
probably defer action until after the cleo
ton OF the President, which VIII be sew
eral months hence
There Is considerable hostility 10 Yuan
, Shih-kai. Some OF the members Of Par
lament dstrust him because he was for
SO long a supporter Of the Manchu dy-
nasty. Others fear that he is planning
to make himself a dictator or even %
| proclaim himself Emperor Ills recent
removal 10 residence in the palace with
I'm the Forbidden City seems 20 strength
en- the latter suspicion.
DictatoriaI Power Necessary.
There is a definite conflict between the
provisional President and the Parliament
for power. Yuan realizing tina, with the
present insecure confederation the nnan-
cinl difficulties OF China and The bitter
political controversies, tho government,
cannot be conducted at all unless 10 IS
highly centralized-in other words, un-
less he himself possesses practically di--
tatorial power.
II some crisis does not change their in-
tentions the Parliamentary representa-
tives will draft constitution before
electing a permanent President In th"
! mean time they VIII permit Yuan shih-
kal 10 continue n the provisional Presi-
dency.
The American group OF fnancIcrs win
close theft offices shortly In Picking tne'r
representative returning 20 New York
Toxic, April s-Recognition OF the chi
nese Republic by the United states ana
the progress Of the bill pending m the
! california Legislature 10 prevent aliens
from owning land I'm that state are Az
sorbinC topics I'm tho japanese public
nress. The former matter Is receiving
the more prominent discussion for the
reason that il IS generally believed that
Japan will Join Great Britain and the
Continental pow ers IN declining to recos-
nlze the new china until a stable govern
ment is proved and capacity shown 70
govern In some OF tho papers II is
nointcd out that failure 70 recognize me
republl, Indicates lack or desire 10 az
sist China.
notwithstanding the reports gwen N
some OF the newspaper dispatches OF the
progress OF the land bill I'm California
official advices arc 10 the effect that ms
hill will pass the Legislature and the
Governor will sign st. The newspapers .
discuss the situation calmly hut asser'
without qualification that passage OF 'ne
bill will materially affect commercial re.
lations between Japan and the uhi'eO
states.
objection is raised particularly 70 u'
retroactive clause OF the land BILL Nh"'
II is recognized that the hiu apples .
all foreigners. the Japanese point o''
that tile gravest injuries will be done ~
their countrymen. who are uhaNie W
come naturslized citizens.