The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-07

hofnc In Honan. Ills formal dismissal
came In the form Of a royal edict which
. t forth that he WAS suffering from
rheumatism in the leg which incapaci-
tated him from holding ofnciai posts.
Yuan. however, was not a rheumatic
II became apparent two years later
that n revolution was imminent and an
cdict was Issued calling "a to take
up his duties as vioeroy Of wuchang.
He refused, giving as an excuse that
his rheumatism still troubled him (this
was only a pleasantly. but when the
premiership OF China was offered him
he went to Pek,n to help the Manchus.
One OF his frst acts as Premier VAS
TO force into private life the Prince Re-
gent. an arrogant Manchu, who brought
about iuan's retirement a few years be-
fore. Yuan succeeded also In getting
pledges from the throne OF a const!tu-
tional government and the establishment
of a limited monarchy. In the mean
time the revolutionists were on the way
20 success. The royal exchequer was low
AID the royal soldiers didn't care about
tr-hting without assurances OF being paid
When Yuan saw that abdication was in
eritable he induced the Manchus 10 trans
for their power 10 him n agreed TO
an armistice.
sun Iat-sen became Provisional Pres,-
dent OF the new republic and In tho
course OF time he telegraphed to Yuan
tNat tie would resign In favor Of the
latter " Yuan would accept the republi-
can policy. Ahdicaticn terms were
finally arranged. the irryer,al family WA,
Cens'oned off and Yuan notified Sun Vat
sen trat Re believed a republic would
he the best form OF government. The
M!arctt:s abdicated on February IL. 1872.
sun nat-sen resigned and the National
Assembly elected Yuan Shih-k'ai. lie
was inauCurated as President ~ N.
Chinese Republic in the early part OF
October. 1913.
Yuan was once referred 70 as the
Napoleon of China and is reported 10
tave replied "Why should wish 10
ne a Napoleon when I can be a George
Washington?
shortly after he became the master
hand and master. mind OF the republic
II was frequently reported that he was
paving the way to a RESUMPTION OF the
monarchy, with himself az Emperor ",
repeatedly denied any such intention.
In the early part OF FEBRUARY. 1914. he
dissolved the district councils IN the
provinces. and this act was regarded az
an important step In his plans for the
suppression Of popular government.
hhll y lT''IS put DOWN n
rebellion in 1918 and sun Yat-sen took
refuge IN Japan. The President de-
nounced sun In no uncertain terms as a
traitor to his country
Yuan was Ave feet six inches tall
lie was not OF commanding presence
and lacked the distinguished appearance
of his old patron, Ii Hung Chang. He
wore a gray mustache and had pecu-
iiarly striking eyes. Although an I'M
perilist In mind and action he had his
queue cut or and adopted the foreign
fashion OF dress as soon az he was
elected President. He spoke no Language
other than Chinese. and never was out
Of China, excepting for the twelve years
he spent in Corea. Always expressing
a friendly feeling for the United States
and its people. he granted several in
terviews to THE SrH n other journals
In order that Americans might under
stand his views.
Yua was the father Of th!rty-one
children. OF whom sixteen were boys.