Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-17
HOW CHANG HSUN
SET UP MONARCHY
Chinese General Accomplished
Coup in Picking Early
in Morning.
AMAZED BOY EMPEROR
BY WILLIAM R. GILES.
Especial Correspondence of The Star
and Chicago Daily News.)

(The inside story of what happened in
Pekin on the days when Chang Hsun re-
stored the monarchy, is told for the first
time in series OF articles by Mr.. Giles,
OF which this is the first)
PEKING. China, July 2.-On Saturday
night. the last day in June, the people
of Picking retired to rest in the full
belief that a real republican cabinet
was In the making. and that the re-
publican scheme of government was to
be more closely knit together than has
existed since its inauguration. On
Sunday morning when they awakened
they found the streets lined with SOL
diers and the dragon flag flying from
the public buildings and Offices
The emperor has been restored"
went from mouth to mouth and look
of wonderment and surprise spread over
their faces as they congregated at the
street corners to discuss this new turn
in Chinese politics. and it gradually
changed to fear as the possibility of
street fighting and looting dawned on
them. They realized that a change
like this could not be brought about
without considerable opposition. OPP
position meant fighting: fighting meant
looting and SO with Fastening strides
they departed for their homes to pack
up their valuables and make prepara-
tons to take their families to a place
of safety: Looting in China is gem
orally followed by attacks on women.
and Chang Hsun's pigtailed soldiery
have very unenviable reputation.
Done by One Man.
Cen Chang Hsun practically brought
off the coup himself and 1 have ran
sacked history to find a similar in
stance of one individual having ac-
complished what he has done. Carried
out on the spur of the moment, he
forced an imperial family, which had
no desire to take up the responsible
to his will and by sheer determination
of purpose and considerable amount
of bluff he secured a certain amount
of support for them-at least. tempo
holiness with which he carried his
scheme into effect, but one cannot help
questioning the wisdom of it.
Up to IL pm. Gen. Chang Hsun
cal performance in the west city. He
then made his way to his residence.
At 1880 pm. he sent for the four most
Important military commanders of
Chao-chung. WI Ping-hsiang and the
commander Of the 18th Division. When
they arrived he asked them il they
were aware of what he came to Picking
for. Gen. Wang replied that he was
under the impression that Gen. Chang
Hsun had come to Picking for the pur-
pose of mediating between the govern
ment and the military governors. With
a grim smile. Gen. Chang replied:
q came to Picking to place the boy
emperor on the throne again and I have
now made up my mind to do it as
quickly as possible. What do you think
Iabout it? OF course il does not mat
ter much what you think about it, for
having determined to do it 1 shall carry
it out"
Gen. Wang Shih-chen answered that
such a change would necessitate nu-
merous arrangements which would take
time. Before he could go any further
Chang Hsun said:
Il do not wish to have any argument
about the matter. The question is, Do
you gentlemen intend to support the
move or not? If you do not, you can
leave this house at once" This with a
sardonic grin. Il wish you to make
your decision QuicklY.'