New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-02
Toxic Steadily Gaining
Control, Is View of Far
East Observers
Hostile Currents
Govern in Picking
Tuan in Power, His Agents
Are Accused of Being
Japanese


upheavals and comings and goings of
governments has left China exactly
where IL was before-with one signiti-
cant exception. 1t is the general belief
of foreign observers here that under
the cover of those uphesvals Jspan's
wedge has edged its way into China
further than it has ever before in the
history of the two countries.
Toxic has made much show of right
eous indignation over the American
note to China; but while America has
sent a note Japan has been backing the
winner. And to-day there is in control
in Picking for the first time a govern
ment not only not hostile TO Japan, but
in a measure owing its existence to
Japan. That has been the drift OF all
the undercurrents since the execution
Of the insane monarchicsl coup, and
incident has piled on incident to
show it.
Two months ago when the Cabinet Of
Tuan Chi-pui had begun to crumble
the country was startled by the open
charge in the Peking Gazette" that
Tuan had made a secret deal with
Japan, whereby he was 10 get support
in exchange for certain loans by Japan
to China and the control of some Of
the strategic arsenals-one of the OBJ
jects sought by Japan in the notorious
twenty-one demands. Eugene Chen,
the brilliant English-educated editor
Of the Gazette" was Immediately i'm
prisoned and held incomunicado, but
the charge remained.
Many Suspicious Circumstances
There were many suspicious circum-
stances at that time to justify it. For
one thing, Tuan had been forced openly
to admit in Parliament that he had
been holding secret conferences with
an emissary of Premier Terauchi, Of
Japan, a curious procedure when there
was an accredited minister there at the
time. For another. there was sus-
picious influx of Japanese general staff
officers then in China, including Cen
eral Tanaka, ranking officer of the gem
eral staff. And Tanaka and his aids
were making careful inspections of all
the larger arsenals.
Then came Tuan's sudden dismissal
by President Ii Yuan-hung, the mill
tary governors declaration of inde-
orI ha OF thraQt th at
compelled the President unlawfully 10
dismiss Parliament and declare the
constitution void. Tuan went into
comparative retirement in Tien-tsin
and was lost sight of. He refused to
align himself either with the military
governors or the President.
After the dissolution of Parliament
came the threats of revolution from
the South and the beginning Of the
punitive expedition TO restore Parlia-
ment. At that time certain radical
leaders in Shanghai received messages
from Tuan to the effect that he had
found a way TO compromise and that
he would solve the situation in such
a way as TO throw out the military
chiefs. headed by Chang Hsun, the die
tator. who was behind the monarchlst
conspiracy.
And to other leaders he sent word
that he could solve the situation with
out giving control to the Southern
radicals. And at the same time DR..
. Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader.
made the direct statement at a secret
meeting Of radicals that Tuan had re-
ceived definite promise of Japanese
support and shat he would come in AZ
the critical moment, when the settle
ment between the South and the mill
tary was effected, and again seize con-
troll.
Overnight Restoration
Then came the overnight restoration
of the monarchy. And there has just
been published the story OF the IN
side" of that conspiracy by Sun Yoh-
vim, former Minister of the Interior, and
himself a noted monarchist, in which
he gives evidence TO show that Japan
had been approached for support to
that coup and had promised that, too.
The monarchy gave Tuan his excuse.
Two days after the young Emperor had
been put on the throne and President
Lii Yuan-hung was still prisoner IN
the Forbidden City Ii was freed and
brought out of the Forbidden City by
japanese Legation troops. The first an
nouncement that he had been freed was
made in an official statement by that
legation.
IL was understood at that time that
the President would Immediately come
to Shanghai, headquarters Of the Re
pubiicans, and there assume the dlrec-
ton of the provisional government.
-Four warships-the navy being pro-re-
publican were sent to the port of
Chingwangtao to escort him TO Shang-
h, TopapaGa Location having
promised to provide him with special
train 10 that port The ships arrived
and waited. They are still waiting.
When word was sent to the japanese
Legation that they were ready the lega-
ton announced that II would not be
safe to let the President leave the cap
ital, notwiths landing the fact that re-
publican troops were then surrounding
the capital.
Mandate Issued
While the President was in the lega-
ion there were some interesting devel-
opments behind its high gray walls.
First d mandate was issued thefefrom,
supposedly by the President, appoint.
g Tuan Chi-iui commander IN chief
or the republican troops. Then the
President was induced TO give up his
Presidential seal, and finally mandate
was issued appointing Tuan Premier
the yerv Office from which he had been
ANONYMOUSLY dismissed by the Presl-
dent himself a few weeks before.
When certain Of the republican rad
ical leaders sought TO see the President
10 demonstrate with him about these
appointments for Tuan is hated by
the radicals they were not permitted
L.. IN