New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-01
Powerful Clique of Southern
Politicians Reused to Fury
Against Yuan Shih-kai.
NATION SHARPLY DIVIDED
Promoters of French Cabinet
System, Minimizing the Presi-
Dental Office, Become
More Prominent.
Ion The TrLbune.s Correspondent.l

situation which. in actual danger to the
continuation OF peace and order. is far
more serious than any which has existed
here since the great revolution. II is an
unfortunate circumstance for American
diplomacy that this peculiarly critical
moment should have been chosen for rec
ogntion of the republic, independent OF
all other powers which were urged by
America year and half ago to act I'm
unison IN Chinese matters.
That there is to DC another row is not
safe to predict But that there are in the
present situation all the elements neces-
sary 20 an upheaval is obvious. There IS
IN the south a powerful clique Of politI-
clans, leaders OF Chinas greatest pOliti-
cal party. who are in a fury Of anger
against the central government Of Yuan
Shih-kai. which they take no pains 10
conceal. indeed they would need 70 but
little further in their denuuc!ation OF
Yuan Shih-kal 10 make their attitude one
Of plain rebellion. That there is a ten
deucy in this direction-;hat certain lead
crs of the south would not be unwilling
% make trouble for the Pres.dort-is evil
dent. Whether they will do so IL de-
pendent upon a number OF circumstances
their ability TO arouse the country to
follow them. the obtaining Of funds, the
courage to throw the country into an
other revolution and the strength Of
Yuan Sh.h-kai who on the eve of ta"
convocation OF the Parliament moved him
self into fortified position tn the For
hidden city al Peking and announced
that he would not attend the opening SEES
sion OF China's first permanent and sup
pOscdly regularly elected legislative body
Line Of Cleavage Distinct.
As lu Pckng one gets tho northern
point OF view. the view Of Yuan Shih-kai
and his followers. ~ In Shanghai! does
one get the view OF the southern element
China may now DC q republic. 1t may
boz called a united nation. now that the
Mauchus are gone, yet there remains q
distinct line Of cleavage between the
north aud the south. IS IL has ever been
and a. II will SO continue. The division
now exists iu distinct form. the more so
because recent events have served to &C
ceutYate H.
The trouble Of today is OF no recent
70 has become more acute. n dates back
almost 20 the time when Yuan Shih-kai
became Provisional President OF the Re
public. In March. 1872. and It has taken
the form OF "a struggle between Yuan
sh.h-kaI. iu the north. and the political
leaders Of the south. who hold themselves
responsible for the success OF the revOlu-
ton. II is 10 q very material extent d
case OF the tins against the outs with
which most unstable countries % this
world are sadly familiar. notably those Of
hectic Latin America.
Foremost among the southern leaders
are Dr. sun Iat-sen. VINO needs 40 intro
duction. and General Hwang- Hsins,
less familiar person nut no less powerful
I'M the ranks OF China's revOlutionaries.
Hwang- Hslng took foremost part in
the rebellion which ousted the Manchus
lie commanded troops during the rovo!u-
ton. particularly those which beat
hasty retreat when the imperial soldiers
recaptured Han Yang. strategic point
near HankoW. Later he was generallssl-
mo Of all the revolutionary forces.
General Heaped with Honors.
and was heaped with honors and one or
two Jobs. which he has lately discarded.
In his younger days he was throWer or
bombs. as ID evidenced by missing portions
of several fingers OF his right hand, due 10
the misbehavior OF a bomb. Recently he
has been an embryonic candidate for the
Presidency He has. in fact. assumed that
"expectant" attitude which is not IN
familiar to students OF American politics.
II was only within the last few days mat
the general told your correspondent that
vbu. he WAS not a candidate, II his coun-
try called and the people insisted, he, be
ing merely a citizen OF the republic wouId
be obliged TO listen: he owed II to his
country. This had very familiar ring
10 American ears.
when Yuan Shih-kai became President.
in March. 1912. after a formal election
by the revolutionary government. then IN
Marking. he apparently had the support
Of all hands. His troubles. however. soon
began The south acclaimed him as a
great man and lauded his efforts In De-
half OF the establishment of the republic
4 national council. consisting or repre-
sentatives OF all provinces. supposedly
duIv elected. but for the most part APP
pointed by provincial authorities assem-
bled In Picking to lay the foundations OF
the permanent government OF which yuan
shlh-kai would be the head
onnosition 10 Yuan Shih-kai and his no
tions OF what republican government
should be then began to develop. Inc
Tong Men-huI. a distinctively southern
marty obtained a majority in the council
Ira members included Tang Shao-yi. the
first Premier and an eminent CITIZEN Out
who finally deserted Yuan; sun fat-sen'
tIusne- Hslng and most OF the other lead
ere Of the revolution. The Teng Men-hui
made n fight for what they called
marty" cabinet. which meant that all the
members Of the Cabinet should be OF the
dominant political party. which was IN
this instance. OF course, the Teng-Men-h null
Yuan for Coalition.
Yuan Shih-kai refused to assent, and
favored a coalition Cabinet-one consist
ING Of members OF all prominent political
parties. No agreement was reached. ana
the Teng Men-hui members of the Cabinet
solved the difficulty by simply quitting Of
fee. putting. II would seem, the interests
Of their party above those of the country
for at that time their designations ana
failure to remain in Yuan's government
was surely embarrassing 10 his difficult
task Of establishing "A permanent govern
ment This question of party cabinet
exists to-day. with important develop
.t.h RI