New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-04
Entente Fighting for Au-
tocracy, Asserts "Peking
Gazette"
Crisis Was Due to War
Mandarins Launched Cam
paign to Have China Enter
and Regain Power

San Francisco, July Sine hiI'es
are largely responsible for the over
throw of the Chinese republic and the
restoration Of the monarchy IN us
place. according to "The Picking Ga
zette."
A great struggle between democracy
and autocracy has been going on IN
China for three and half months. In
this struggle the Allies have been hght-
ing on the side Of the autocratic forces
SAYS "The Picking Gazette" because
one-man rule is infinitely more agree
able to traditional diplomacy than any
well balanced constitutionalism.
Il was the question Of China's par
ticipation in the war that furnished
the basis for the monarchistic plot,
which now results in the restoration Oh
the monarchy. A band OF old msnda-
rims who aimed to reestablish their
fallen prestige launched campaign for
China's entrance into the war. The
men, designated in the Chinese press
as the "camarilla," Influenced Premier
Tuan Chi-jui to adopt their war policy
using it only as a medium for the res
toration of the monarchy.
Expected Allies Support
The monarchistic plotters anticipated
that they would meet with the support
of the Allies, and they were not mis-
taken. They entered into unofficial
negotiations with the representatives
of the Allies in Picking, and continued
them in Toxic. Count Terauchi, the
japanese Prime Minister, finally dis
patched to China special agent by
the name of Kameno Nishihara, who
was authorized to arrange terms with
the "camarilla" for China's participa-
ton i'm the war on the side OF the Al
lies
Information of the secret pourpar-
lers reached the Liberal elements IN
Peking, the President and Parliament
About the middle OF April the Liberals
met and decided not 10 commit the
government to war until the Premier
had published all the confidential nego-
tiations and obligations into which ne
entered. The Premier, however, re-
fused to do so, exerting his influence
for declaration of war against Ger
many.
When Parliament refused to comply
with the urgings of Premier Tuan, ne
summoned to Peking number or mill
tary governors who favored declara-
tion of war. An attempt was then
mt a
elaring war by mobbing the Deputies.
According to Putnam Weale, an eye
witness, in the "Peking Gazette
mob Of down snd-outs, secret agents OF
the "camarilla" and some soldiers IN
plain clothes attacked Parliament on
May 10. The latter, however, refused
TO be stampeded into war.
Mob Brings On Crisis
The action Of the mob brought the
crisis to a head. IL was plain to all
the enlightened Chinese that the mon
arehists were seeking TO overthrow the
democracy. The whole Cabinet, with
the exception of the Premier, resigned
in protest against the riots before Par
lament. Still Premier Tuan, isolated
and severely criticised, continued TO
cling TO his Office The pressure OF
public opinion became unanimous
against the Premier after "The Peking
Gazette" suddenly disclosed the nego-
tiation of a secret pact between Japan
and China.
At the same time the Chinese demo-
Gratis were shocked TO discover that
the military governors, who came TO
Peking TO coerce the President ana
Parliament 10 declare war. were enter
tanned at dinner by the French Minis.
ter at Picking. This open siding OF
France with the monarchists and mill
tarists as against the Liberals and the
government was too much or provo
cation. President Ii Yuan-hung dis
missed Premier Tuan Chl-Jul
This was the signal for a reoeiion.
The masses were with the president
and Parliament. But the military gov
ernors. led by Chang Hsun, sent an ul-
tinatum to the President demanding
the dissolution Of Parliament or his
resignation. The interference OF brute
force with the country's constitution
did not brighten President Ii. lie re-
fused either TO resign or TO dissolve
Parliament, but worked for internal
peace by urging individual Deputies
TO resign, so as TO necessitate new
However. such a peace did not please
the "camarilla" headed by Chang Hsun,
although many rebel governors accept
cd il Thus. General Nj Shih-chang.
one of the latter's leaders, declared q
month ago TO a representative of"The
China Press" that Chang Hsun was
not aiming at peace. but at the over
throw of the President and the re-
establishment of the Manchus. Gen
eral Nj declared that he favored the
republic. and opposed Chang Hsun's GO
ing to Peking.
To-day Chang Hsun is in Peking,
heading a Cabinet composed Of cor
rupt msndarins, whom he returned to
power, together with the young Manchu
Emperor. The monarchy, however, is
opposed by formidable forces, and is
not likely to endure.
Washington Officials
GIL ILL., D-LE1