Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-30
SIR JOHN JORDON NOW
RESTORED TO OLD PLACE
Once More Is Head Of Diplomatic
Corps at Capital of
China.
NEW PRESIDENTS TROUBLES
Empty Treasury and Thousands OF
Unpaid Soldiers Hamper Ii Yuan
Hung in Efforts to Put Republic
on Peaceful Footing.

PEKING. July 29.-When Ii Yuan
Hung, the new President, received the
foreign representatives in official audi
ence for the first time on June 10. Sir
John Jordon. British minister, who is
dean Of the diplomatic corps, acted as
spokesman for the entente minister's
fact that has caused considerable ia :
voraole comment on the part of Chi
nese papers.
The Picking Daily News says: I'VE
have much pleasure TO record that the
most significant event in the first Of
fetal reception of the new President e
the foreign representatives in Picking
is the restoration of Sir John Jordon.
the British minister to his honored
position as dean 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 change
Of the relations of Great Britain and
Japan towards China The reassertion
Of the diplomatic precedence by the
British minister is heartily welcomed
by the enlightened class OF Chinese win
do not like to witness the pushful and
forward actions OF the Japanese repre-
sentative"
Four OF the foreign advisers of Presi-
dent Ii Yuan Hung, DR.. w. w. VIII
loughby and DIR. jeremiah ". jerks,
both Americans; DR.. George E. Morri-
son. an Englishman. and DR.. " Ariga.
japanese. have had many conferences
with the President since he entered
upon his new Office. These advisers
have frequently suggested TO him tina,
IT is desirable, in their opinion, TO re-
turn at once TO the Nanking provision al
Constitution. the original Constitution
OF the republic. and cali legislative
body at the earliest possible moment
While Ii Yuan Hung is inclined TO
act upon this advice nc is opposed in
this BY several members Of his cabi-
net. Yuan Shi kai ruled China almost
entirely by mandate. Absolute power
was vested in MIN under the so-called
provisional compact, which ne enacted
to replace the Marking provisional con-
stitution. The arbitrary action of Yuan
Shi kai caused so much resentment
among progressive Chinese that many
Hung urge he should avoid govern
ment by mandate as far as possible
and endeavor TO turn legislative power
over TO an assembly or parliament.
China's empty treasury and thous-
ands of unpaid soldiers are a terrible
stumbling block 10 the new Presiden,
in his effort 10 put the republic on
peaceful and substantial footing.
WANT TO MAKE CHINA
REORGANIZATION LOAN
Japanese hnanciers are striving to
make China a reorganization loan Of
loo.ooo.oo0 yen. or about $4,000. 900
gold. Ii Yuan Hung is unwilling 70
accept this financial assistance from
Japan. and favors the various American
groups which are endeavor!ne to UNI
derwrite reorganization loan for
China.
Were the new President to accept
japanese assistance. he probably would
provoke storm of disapproval which
might result in his undoing. The feel
ing is far more friendly towards the
Americans, and the negotiation of a
loan through American financial insti-
tutions, which are considering the re-
! organization of China's finances would
do much to allay the general appre-
henslon concerning possible Japanese
aggression in China
Although no official reports have
been made concerning the financial
conditions OF the two Chinese national
banks the Bank Of Communication
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 prevent
the notes of the two banks falling be-
low par have been futile. Bank notes
are now hawked about at discounts
varying from 10 to 20 per cent Jap
anese banks have bought in large
quantities OF the deprecated notes, and
there is a general apprehension that
Japan may make a demand for specie
payment upon these notes at face
value.