The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-05
VOICE FROM CHINA
 UNFOLDING WILSON
America Should Profit by
 Example of Cathay
INTERESTING LETTER
Chinese Are Murmuring at Yuan's Action in Proclaiming Himself Elm peror-Vice President of Republic
 Imprisoned in Palace by Yuan

Anniston, March 4-(special)-In a letter to a friend in this city, pr. T. W. Ayers, formerly a well known physician and publicst of Anniston now in charge of a hospital in northern China, gives an interesting insight into conditions in that country.
 Dr. Ayers states that the violation of China by Japan was worse than the in- vasion of Belgium by the Germans, and that China's experience should cause the American people to support the prepared ness policy of President Wilson. He says further that there Is much discontent over the actions of Yuan Shi Kai, and that the people believe he will be vic- tim of retributive justice. His treatment of Vice President Yuan Hung is made public for the first time
 pr. Ayers letter in part follows:
 Yuan Ehi Kai if anything is ambi- tous If he looks after his children 1t is the interest of Yuan Shi Kai and his children. While he has done this, yet he has done many things for which he deserves great credit during his many years of official life. By using means peculiar to himself he has succeeded in his own promotion until there was left only one step more on the ladder for him 10 climb. Recently he made known his decision to make that ascent To be Emperor put him at the top, and also provided for the future glory of his fam fly. To bring this about he used all his powers as diplomat, soldier and dic- tator. To throw sand in the eyes of the outside world he had ordered an elec- tlon to have the people say whether or not the change should be made from re- pubic to monarchy. The election was hedged about by rules and regulations that only the favored few could vote, and they dared vote only in favor of the change. They dared not refuse to vote, and dared vote only as the dictator want ed them to vote. So the election was unanimous in favor of the change Among all the 4O0OO 1000 no one voted against 1t. To those of us on the ground who know the Chinese 1t was a laughable farce But after the election was held and the votes counted, the news flashed abroad that the people had been heard From, and that they wanted an Emperor, ana wanted the Emperor to be Yuan Shi Aai. After this Yuan Shi Kai gave the assurance to Japan that his enthrone- ment would create no trouble; that he was obeying the voice of the people.
 PEOPLE ARE MURMURING
 what the result of the present re- pelllon Will be. I do not know At present the people seem inclined to suIIer any wrong rather than fight. This is true of the great masses. but not all the people. But judging from the expressions of Chinese with whom ! have mixed they do not want Yuan 6ni Kai as Emperor. From the ex- presstong which I have had I class the people in this immediate section of northeast China as follows: 1, The few men who have hope of official pro- motion favor Yuan Shi Kai as En- peror. 2. The business men and men who read and keep abreast of times favor the republic 8, The country peo- pie who do not read do not care spe- 9cially whether it is a republic or a monarchy. But if an Emperor is to be had they do not want Yuan Shi Kai. They look up to the Emperor almost as deity and he must be by birth in line for the enthronement. They say Yuan Shi Kai is just an ordinary man, and If he attempts to ascend the throne the gods will punish him. This reminds me of an interesting saying among the Chinese which I never heard until 1t was brought out in answer to in uutries which I made on the question recently It Is this: If a man who is not in line by birth to the throne at
 
 that the dragon comes down on his head with both claws and holds onto him until he dies from the vomiting of blood. fTig
 YUAN VICTIM OF DRAGON A Tt has been rumored for the past few days that Yuan Shi Kai had been stricken with apoplexy. and when this was made known to an unlettered man from the country he would ask: Has he been vomiting blood?
 Whether the old dragon has this power or not, in the eyes of the Chi nese he is responsible for many curses which come to the people.
 "Yuan Shi Kai has many ways of silencing his opponents One of his fa- vorite plans in dealing with officials and lawmakers who oppose him is to invite them for a conference. They can't decline when invited. When once inside the 8.lace grounds they do not get out until he consents for them to go. As an example: If Yuon Shi Kai wanted to increase the army by an act of his lawmakers and Xii Chen, one Jof the prominent members of the As- Gembly, was opposed to this plan of preparedness Yuan Shi Kai would in- yite him to the palace for confer ence. When Xxi Chen was inside the palace grounds the soldiers would be instructed to give him lodging and see that he did not leave until he had