Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-31
PLEASED AT TURN
China Likes Action of Allies In
Making Englishman the
Spokesman.
SOLDIERS STILL UNPAID

Correspondence OF Inc Associated fress'l
Pekin, July 2l.-When Ii Yuan
hung, the new president, received the
foreign representatives in official
audience for the first time on June
le, Sir John Jordon, the British min
lister, who is dean of the diplomatic
corps, acted as spokesman for the
entente ministers, fact that has
caused considerable favorable COM
ment on the part OF Chinese papers.
The Peking Daily News, says:
I'VE have much pleasure to record
that the most significant event in the
first official reception of the new
president to the foreign representa-
tives in Picking is the restoration of
Sir John Jordon, the British minister,
to his honored position as doyen OF
the diplomatic corps of recognized
leadership. During the audience. Sir
John Jordon acted as spokesman for
the ministers Of the allied powers,
which means a change OF the rela-,
tions of Great Britain and Japan to-
wards China. The reassertion of the
diplomatic precedence by the British
minister is heartily welcomed by the
enlightened class of Chinese, who do
not like to witness the pushful and
forward action of the Japanese repre-
sentative
To Call Legislature.
Four of the foreign advisers Of
President Ii Yuan-hung, DR.. w. w.
Willoughby and DR.. Jeremiah w.
jerks, both Americans; DR.. George
E. Morrison, an Englishman, and DR..
N. Ariga, Japanese, have had many
conferences with the president since
he entered upon his new office.
These advisers have frequently sug-
gestcd to him that it Is desirable, In
their opinion, to return at once to
the Marking provisional constitution,
the original constitution of the re-
public, and call a legislative body at
the earliest possible moment.
While Ii Yuan-hung is inclined
TO act upon his advice, he is opposed
IN this by several members Of his
cabinet. Yuan Shi-kai ruled China
almost entirely by mandate. Abso-
lutte power was vested in him under
the so-called provisional compact.
which he enacted to replace the Nam
king provisional constitution. The
arbitrary action Of Yuan Shi-kai
caused so much resentment among
progressive Chinese that many of the
chinese advisers of Ii Yuan-hung
urge he should avoid government by
mandate as far as possible and en-
deavor to turn Legislative power over
to an assembly or parliament.
Soldiers Unpaid.
China's empty treasury and thou
sands of unpaid soldiers are a terri
Bile stumbling block to the new presi-
dent in his effort to put the republic
on a peaceful and substantial footing,
Japanese financiers are striving to
make China reorganization loan of
lO0,OOO0OO yen, or about $5OOO0,O 900
gold. Ii Yuan-hung is unwilling to
accept this financial assistance from
Japan. and favors the various Ameri-
can groups which are endeavoring to
underwrite a reorganization loan for
China.
Were the new president to accept
Japanese assistance he would prob
ably provoke q storm OF disapproval
which might result in his undoinp.
The feeling is far more friendly to-
wards the Americans and the negotia-
ton of loan, through American fl
nancial institutions which are consid-
ering the reorganization of China's
finances would do much to allay the
general apprehension concerning pos
sible Japanese aggression in China.
, Moratorium Still in Force.
Although no official reports have
been made concerning the financial
conditions Of the two Chinese banks,
the Bank Of Communications and the
Bank of China, they are still unable
to resume specie payment, and the
partial moratorium declared BY the
Chinese government is still in force.
Efforts of the government to pre-
vent the notes of the two banks fall
ing below par have been futile. Bank
notes are now hswked about at dis
counts varying from 10 to 20 per cent.
Japanese banks have bought in large
quantities of the deprecated notes and
there is a general apprehension that
Japan may make \ demand for specie
payment upon these notes at face
value.