CHINA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 397, 5 January 1909, Page 5

CHINA.

DISMISSAL OF YUAN SHI-KAI. ', EFFECT OF A PLOT. MANOHTJ V. CHINESE INFLUENCE. (Dt TEtiEORAPH—PBESS ASSOCJATION-COFyIHGHT.) ' .. -. ■ Polling) January 3. An edict has been issued at Peking dismiss" ing Yuan Shi-rk'ai (member of the Counoil of State, and formeiVyiceroy of Obi-li), as.tho result of a Manbhu plot. POWERS SUPPORT YUAN. A HOPE AS TO POLICY, (lice, January 5, 0.30 a.m.) _< Peking, January 4. The dcoreo dismissing Yuan Shi-kai is cold and callous >i)i tone. It has created a great sensation ,, jn Peking. The representatives of tho Great Powers will ask ; their respective Governments for permission toosnr'esij regret, and a hope that the dismissal of a statesman whose presence in the Government inspired confidence abroad for its'stability does not imply a reversal of his policy'. ■ • , - * | YUAN, THE AfIMY, AND REFORM. ' The dismissal >of' Yuan Shi-Kai, the great' Chinese ex-Viceroy and Councillor of State and reorganisor of the army, is contrary to the predictions of most of the people who are supposed to know. It was thought that the Manchu rulers—the Regent (Prince Chun) and the Grand Councillors Prince Ching and Shih-hsur—-would have to rely on the aid of Yuan Shi-Kai in governing. More than that, most of the.hopes of reform were coupled with this eminont Ghilieso, For instance, the Peking correspondent of "The Times" wrote after tho death of, tho, Emperor and tho Empress Dowager:"*' * <■ Jl 1 "The best men in China realißO that there must be reform "at the head, that the counby can never take a place among civilised nations so loner as the Palace is polluted by the presonco of eunucha corrupting the Sovereign from iafanoy to manhood. Confidence is expressed that, under the Princo Regent, who has.eeen something of foreign Courts, has knowledge of foreign civilisation,' and is supported' by Yuan Shi-Kai, there will'be a genuine attempt at reform. 'At the present moment the question of PMace reform is under consideration. Foreign influence.'and progressive influence are nrging that advantage be taken of this opportunity to i begin »new. Wo shall soon know what has been the outcome and how long the influence of .the Court reactionaries will oontinne unimpaired." Another writer refers to Yuan Shi-Kai as "the leading statesman of China." and expresses satisfaction in that tho well drilled army controlled by Yuan Shi-Kai ought to b& able to conquer any undisciplined force that might arise.", Prince ,Chun evidently means .to rule. A week or two aftor he took the reins it wm stated that he had issued tho following ediot: "All imperial clansmen are ordered to give a greater degree of obedience than others; this is for the effect of the eiamplr. , Disobeying princes and officials will be dealt with without leniency. ; Our purpose in this is to fulfil the command' of the late Dowager Empress, and to satisfy the 'people." \