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Show SICIS Of S1KE-VP II Wm REALM Summary and Unexpected Dismissal Dis-missal of Grand Chancellor Yuan Shai Kai. DIPLOMATS OF OTHER NATIONS THUNDERSTRUCK What the End May Be Is Not Known, but Grave Consequences Conse-quences Are Feared. PEKING, Jan. 2. An edict issued today to-day dismisses from office Yuan Shai Kai, grand councillor and commander-in-chief of tho forces. The reason given for this action is that ho has rheumatism rheuma-tism of the legs. The edict orders Yuan Shai Kai to vacato all his offices and to return to his home, adding: "Thus our clemency toward you is manifested." A second edict appoints N. A. Tung, comptroller of customs and ex-governor of Poking, grand councillor, presumably in Yuan Shai Kai 's place. Tho members of the diplomatic corps at Peking arc well nigh thunderstruck' at tho sudden dismissal of Yuan Shai Kai. Tho step is believed to bo tho outcomo of a Mauclui plot and there are indications that tho Japanese representatives repre-sentatives aloue had only an inkling of what was on foot. Diplomats Aroused. Two hours after the foreign ministers becamo cognizant of the edict of dismissal, dis-missal, the American, German and British Brit-ish ministers wcro in conference at the British legation. The diplomats were still in conclave this evening, and it consequently con-sequently -will bo impossible to learn toiiight; what course tho leading powers will tako in this surprising development. Tho homo govornmonts will act only after au interchange of ideas, but there is reason to beliove tonight that Prince Ching, president of the board of foreign affairs, will bo waited upon tomorrow by a strong diplomatic combination, such as tho British, Gorman and American representatives here. There is nothing to indicate that the dismissal of Yuan Shai Kai means danger to foroigners, but the good name of China's management manage-ment of tho crisis following tho demise of the emperor aud the dowager empress em-press and tho appointment of a successor suc-cessor has been swept away by this cindictivo act, which will astonish and arouse the outsido world, cripple China's credit aud prevent tho withdrawal of foreign troops probably for tlvo years. Yuan Shai Kai 'a feelings arc as yet unknown and tho legations are anxiously anx-iously await iug a cluo to the throne's futuro course of action. Princo Cuing Dissented. In accordanco with tho regulations of tho new regency tho decreo of dismissal dis-missal was marked and sealod by the princo regent and bore the signatures of tho grand councillors, excepting that of Princo Ching. This is Ihu evidence that Prince Ching dissented. There aro gravo apprehensions hero of revolutionary outbreaks in such centers cen-ters as C'nnton. and some of tho most conservative diplomats already uro suggesting sug-gesting tho return of foreign troops to tho lino of communication between Peking and Tien Tsin. Tt is no exaggeration ex-aggeration to sn' that tho foreigners of Peking aro overcome with astonishment astonish-ment at this evideuce of China's capacity capac-ity to tako such a reactionary step. Biggest Man in China. Yuan Shai Kai, tho great viceroy of Ohi-Li province, was ono of tho most influential aud powerful statesmen in tho Chinese empire, lla has been called the strongest man in China since Li Tiling Chang, lie is a thoroughly practical prac-tical man, aud brought, business methods meth-ods to tho administration of the empire. em-pire. TIo workod assiduously for the! advancement of the middle kingdom and his watchword was that China was ca-pablo ca-pablo of accomplishing just as much as had Japan, llo inspired a national patriotism which is today doing much to allay superstitition and rebuild tho empire. Ho has been a member of tho grand council since Tfl07, and in that vear ho relinquished tho post of viccrov of Chi-Li. but it was in this office "that ho gained tho greatest renown. re-nown. Yuan Shai Kai organized an army in China that was the wonder , and amazement of foreign military critics, lie succeeded in obliterating all tho popular mid casto objections to military service, so that the sons of the nobil-ilv nobil-ilv todav are proud to appear in uniform. uni-form. TIo substituted modern text 1 books for ancient classics, he compelled com-pelled the abolition of torture, and he transformed Peking from the filthiest city in the world into a metropolis, well paved and cleanly, that compares favorably fav-orably with many cities of Europo and America. It is an undoubted fact that Yuan Shai Kai encouraged and represented repre-sented the most progressive ideas in tho central government. Accused of Poisoning Ruler. At the time of the deaths of tho emperor and dowager-empress of China. Yuan Shai Kai was accused of having poisoned his majesti. This allegation was contained in a dispatch received from Shanghai at tho Now York branch of the Chinese Reform association. It was declared at tho Mott street quarters of tho association that demands de-mands would 'bo made on Princo Chun, the now regent, to deposo Yuan Hhai Kai from power and "do away with him." It was declared further that Prince Chun's failure to act upon these rcqnosts would make the prince him-telf him-telf tho qbiuet of tho association's attack. at-tack. Na Tung, tho successor of Yuan Shai Kai, was held many prominent posts in tin! service of his country. Tie has been grand sccrctnry since January, 1006, and from 1005 to J.A0G" ho was president of the board of foreign affairs. TIo also has been president of the board of revenue, rev-enue, member of tho llnuuce commit- 'Continued on Pnyo Jl'wo. , I SIGNS OF SHAKE-UP IN CHINA'S K3ALM Continued from Page One, tee and commanding' general o the gen-d gen-d "armerie. Ho is a native of Manchuria and a provincial graduate. RENDERED SERVICES AMERICANS APPRECIATE WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. Though tho news of the downfall of Yuan Shai Nai was not entirely unexpected in official of-ficial circles here. it. was received with regret, for the state department has keen recollection of the groat services rendered by Yuan Shai Nai to every Christian nation in securing communication commu-nication by secret means with the legations lega-tions besieged in the . compound at Peking during the famous Boxer up rifcing. At that time Yuan Shai Kai was Taotai of Shanghai and did not hesitate to use all of his great power to secure news from the compound, which gave the first assurance to the outside jvprld that ihe diplomats, their families anri attaches were holding their ,)rt'ii within tho legation precincts. It was this information which Yuan Shai Kai convoyed through the American consul general at Shanghai to Mr. Hay that encouraged the European governments govern-ments to join with America in the remarkable re-markable allied march lo Peking that resulted ip. the liberation of the lega-fioners. lega-fioners. It was Yuan who organized Ihe modern Chinese army, dropped out the spearsiuan and the bowmen and the bearers of stink-pots and the makers of loud noises and substituted well-drilled, well-drilled, khaki-clad soldicrt, educated by European officers. |