New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-07

ofFcialdom was burning with enthusi-
asm for monarchy, Ii remained true 10
the government which he had so large
" helped TO establish four years ago. =.
So high is he held in the esteem OF
the republicans that he was elected
President Of the seeding provinces
early this year, though he was in Pc
king living under the roof Of Presl-
dent Yuan. He came into close assoc
citation with the revolutionary leader ;,
General Huang Hsin and DR.. sun Vat
Sen, in the revolution OF 1871 and dur
ing the last three years he has been IN
Picking; so he is the one man now in
China who has an intimate knowledge
of leaders of all shades of principles.
Modest and Unassuring.
Modest and unassuming, President
Ii has avoided the publicity which
comes to public men. In America he 10
little known, though he is probably the
greatest Chinese to-day. Even in
china little was known of him until the
revolution.
Born in Hu-pe, the central province
Of China. in 1884, President Ii received
his military education in the Peiyang
Naval College Viceroy Chang Chill
Tung, progressive statesman, sent hun
dreds Of students TO Japan. President
Ii went to Japan 10 continue his mill
tary studies and on his return was at
tached TO the army in Wu-chang. LiY-
ing UP TO the highest Chinese military
tradition, he was kind 10 his soldiers
and one OF the most popular generals.
His leadership was recognized by his
colleagues, many of whom were strong
sympathizers Of the revolution. So
when the crisis came the hour for the
overthrow Of the Manchus struck-he
Of all the generals in Wuchang was
elected TO lead the revolutionary forces.
Now began his career as world
figure and savior Of China. His mill
tary genius was strong factor in the
successful defence Of Wuchsng against
the onslaught of the Northern army,
which was better equipped and trained.
But his greatest rervice was IN his
Craftsmanship. Recognizing that the
revolution was China's domestic affair,
he contended that, whatever might be
the internal troubles. foreigners IN
China should receive every protection
and their interests be safeguarded. One
of his proclamstions made the injury
Of foreigners death penalty.
While the shells OF the Northern
troops were raining on his hesdquar-
tiers, demolishing his Office, President
Ii continued quietly his work Of reor-
gnnization. In the mean time the revo-
luton spread rapidly, all the rich prov
inces along the rich Nangtse River
going over, one by one, 70 the Republi-
cans. Three months after the first shot
was fred DR.. Sun Vat Sen was elected
provisional President OF the republic
and Ii the Vice President. The COM
mand Of the amy on the upper
Yangtse was given 20 him.
When peace was declared and the
Manchus abdicated. DR.. Sun resigned
the Presidency in favor of President
Yuan, and Ii was again elected Vice
President. He had the command OF
the army in Wuchang. He saw clearly
the danger Of militarism, so he imme
diately recommended 10 President Yuan
that the military and civil sdministrs'
tons should be separated, as the mill
tary governor, after the revolution, wa,
also the civil administrator. He SHOWED
the example by giving up the civil
power.
Although a strong republican, he be.
lieved the most important thing fol
China after the Manchus had been Gust
ed was peace and order. So when re.
publicans started the second revolution
In 1912 10 overthrow President Yuar
he stood out against il and exerted his
influence for the established govern
ment.
One thing certain under his leader
ship Is that China will remain q re-
public.