Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-05
Preparing for
 Defence of Peking
100000 TROOPS CONCENTRATED
 IN ITS ENvlRoNs.
FEAR JAPANESE ATTACK
Elsewhere Than at the Capital No Military Precautions Have Been Taken, the Chinese Recognizing the FutiIity of Resisting the Japanese.

Picking, May 5-Military prepara- tions are being made for the defense Of Picking. According to Chinese of ficials, whose statements have been corroborated in other circles, the gov ernment is making no preparations elsewhere than at the capital for de- tense considering that the Chinese will be unable to oppose the Japanese, should they make an attack
 It is asserted in high quarters that one hundred thousand troops have been concentrated in the enVirons of Peking, but with sufficient ammuni-
 ton for only a brief resistance.
 Military Precautions.
 Special police and military precau- tions have been taken throughout the city, especially around the Winter Palace, where President YNan Shi Kai resides. The officials declare they are suspicious that the Japanese may at tempt a repetition of the Korean coup d'etat.
 The Japanese legation, it is said, notified the Japanese yesterday to pre- pare to leave Picking and it is stated that many women and children are getting ready to depart. Many of the Japanese men probably will take refuge in the legation here if hostili- ties break out.
 Awkward For Foreign Legations.
 The situation is considered awkward for some of the foreign legations, es- peclalIy those whose countries sympa- thize with the Chinese, but none of them could oppose the entry of the Japanese into Peking
 Telegrams received here from Muk- den say that the Japanese bank and postoftice there have suspended busi- have been called to the colors and that other civilians are concentrating in the railroad zone.
 Missionaries Not Endangered. Dr. Paul s. Reinsch, the United States minister here, expresses the opinion that the missionaries and oth- CT Americans in the interior are ir no danger whatever. He says the Chinese government will preserve or der in the regions over which the Chinese hold control.
 Run1or of UItimatum Causes Surprise In spite of the belief which had pre- vailed in China for many years that | Japan cOvereted control of the country | considerable surprise was caused by | the reports that Japan intended to is- sue an ultimatum to the government | as an outgrowth of China'S refusal tC | concede all of Japan's demands Ii | Is contended that the Japanese have | conceded virtually all the articles con. | tained in the eleven demands made | upon them and enumerated to the powers and a high official said yester- ! day that it was not believed thai | Japan would dare enforce those con. | tained in group five, which he saic Japan had informed Great Britain al well as the other powers were merely regarded as desirable.
 | Yuan Shi kai in Sad Predicament. l Whether President Yuan Shf Ka | will concede all these points seems tC | be an open question. Chinese official. | whose views are seriously considered | in Yuan Shi Kai's councils expres. | opposite opinions concerning this ques
 tion. Some of the officials expres. | the fear that the Japanese military
 party, which they profess t obelievt
 welcomes the present crisis, will in
 crease the Japanese demands should
 a successful campaign follow.
 On the other hand, it is considered here that Yuan Shi Kai faces calami tous consequences in China if h. | yields to the Japanese. High mem | bers of his own government are saiC | already to have voiced the suspicion | trat he may accept an alleged offe from Japan of military support anC protection for himself against foreig1
 nations and his own people in return for conceding control of the countr.
 in fact. although not nominally, tt JaDan