The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-12
YUAN A STERN RULER.
Has Dominated Chinese Govern-
ment with an Iron Hana,


Four years ago writer's began to call
But when this comparison was made In
his presence he replied 10 effect. why
be a Napoleoh when you can be a
George Washington"
During the intervening years he has
shown himself to rave a little of both
men In his makeup. But one trait Is
common to all three, and that is pre-
dominance. Yuan Shih.k'ai rules China,
has ruled II for years. rules the men In
his Government with a hand Of iron.
Yuan Shih-k'ai 10 50 years old. He
was born Of lowly parents. For thirty
years he has held high nice and for
ten years he has been the one dominating
figure In Chinese affairs. In 1SS6-he
was then 37-he represented the En-
peror in Corea. from a minor command
by sheer force Of ability he had risen
to that post. For ten years, or until
the Chinese were expelled from hat dis
trict. he remained there.
Then he eturned to Pekin. He began
the organisation Of a new army. He
became Governor Of Shantung and In
that capacity was one Of the few high
officials who protected foreigners during
the Boxer uprising In 1900. In rapid
succession thereafter he became viceroy
OF Chill. succeeding Ii H~ung-chaNg,
his patron Guardian OF the Heir Ap.
parent. Director-General Of Northern
Railways, Consulting Minister to the
Government Council. Minister Of Army
REORGANIZATION. President Of the Board
Of Foreign Affair.". Grand Councillor.
Premier and. finally. President.
1t was Yuan Shih-k'ai who. at the de-
sire OF the Empress Dowager. In 1908.
managed to depose tho Emperor because
Of ambitions 10 succeed him.. Even ut
that time ne was the most influential
figure In China. Already he had at
tracted tho eyes OF foreigners by his
practical reform measures. He gave
Tientsin a good municipal government
and employed a American to develop
mn excellent school system. He sscured
foreign drill masters for h Chinese
army and dictated the foreign policy OF
China with a high hand.
When the death Of the Empress
Dowager and the Emperor occurred the
ruls Of China passed into hands not "a
friendly to u His power was feared
and because Of this he was shortly re-
lieved OF ONCE by An imperial edict
which somewhat naivsly announced his
retirement to private life because Of
rheumatism. The rheumatism was al
much of q surprise to Yuan as to any
n else, but he accepted the ailment
with good grace and retired to his home
estates in Honan to spend three years
In oficlal disgrace. but. according tC
his wi accounts. with great personal
enjoyment.
1t was during this period, or unit
October. 1911, that the Chinese revolu
ton which at last resulted In the over
throw of the Manchu dynasty spreat
and grew In the south under the leader
ship of DR.. Sun Yat-sen and his fol
lowers. When. In October. the move
ment gained such alarming proportion,
that there was fear for the intexrit,
of the empire. the Manchu clan turned
for help to the one strong man OF
whom they could depend. Yuan Shin
k'ai. He was ordered to assume tn,
duties Of Viceroy at Wuchang, wher,
the republican forces were gathering
Then. as on frequent occasions since
Yuan's sense OF humor and shrewdney
revealed itself. He replied that hi
rheumatism was still bothering him
The Manchus replied as they were ex
pscted to reply and soon Yuan made
by IA small army OF his own troops, q
Premier.
There Is good reason to believe tina
Yuan was one Of the main instigator
in the republican volt which cause,
the Msnchu rulers 10 recall him to office
There Is even better reason to believ
that having arrived at Pekin and iearne,
ut first hand the irretrievable ruin ,
the Manchu fortunes he ~straightway be
gan to bring about their downfall Will
pretending to support them. II II
pretty we'll established fact that Will
the republicans were gathering a
Wuchang the imperial army could still
easily have overpowered and disperse
them. But instead of sending the arm,
90 fight Yuan asked the republicans 70
an armistioe.
II was granted and the Manchui
gathering a false impression of tn
strength Of the rebellion and fearing tn
loss Of Yuan to IN Republican sid,
offered to bestow the sreatest honor l
their power upon him, the title Of Mar