try I trust that you will consult and work
unitedly with Vice-President Feng and Premier Tuan. In great
expectation, and with much of my heart not poured out.

Li Yuan-hung.

Meanwhile, whilst these dramatic events were occurring in Peking, others
no less sensational were taking place in the provinces. The Tientsin
group, suddenly realizing that the country was in danger, took action
very swiftly, disclosing that in spite of all disputes Republicanism had
become very dear to every thinking man in the country, and that at last
it was possible to think of an united China. The Scholar Liang Chi Chao,
spokesman of Chinese Liberalism, in an extraordinarily able message
circularized the provinces in terms summarizing everything of
importance. Beginning with the fine literary flight that "heaven has
refused to sympathize with our difficulties by allowing traitors to be
born" he ends with the astounding phrase that although he had proposed
to remain silent to the end of his days, "at the sight of the fallen
nest he has, however, spat the stopper out of his throat," and he calls
upon all China to listen to his words which are simply that the Republic
must be upheld or dissolution will come.

Arms now united with Literature. General Tuan Chi-jui, immediately
accepting the burden placed on him, proceeded to the main entrenched
camp outside Tientsin and assumed command of the troops massed there,
issuing at the same time the following manifesto:

TUAN CHI-JUI'S MANIFESTO

To Vice-President Feng Kuo-chang, Inspector General of Wumin, Tu
Chuns, Governors, Tu-tungs....

Heaven is chastening this country by the series of disturbances that
have taken place. Chang Hsun, filled with sinister designs, has
occupied the capital by bringing up his troops under the pretext of
effecting a compromise with the astounding result that last night
the Republican form of government was overthrown. The question of
the form of Government is the very fundamental principle on which
the national existence depends. It requires assiduous efforts to
settle the form of government and once a decision has been reached
on the subject, any attempt to change the same is bound to bring on
unspeakable disasters to the country. To-day the people of China are
much more enlightened and democratic in spirit than ever before. It
is, therefore, absolutely impossible to subjugate the millions by