CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 282

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No. 153.

Mr. Alston to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 3.)

(No. 398.) Sir,

IN continuation of my despatch of to-day's date, I have the honour to report that

Peking, October 11, 1913. the ceremony of the inauguration of the presidency of Yuan Shih-kai took place on the 10th instant, the second anniversary of the outbreak of the revolution.

The President arrived at the palace grounds at 10-20 in a special state coach, and, alighting at the foot of the marble bridge in front of the Tienanmen, was carried in a sedan chair through the inner courtyards into the main court square. Special pre- cautions were taken against any possible attempt on the life of the President, troops being lined up to guard all the main approaches within and without the palace.

At 11 o'clock the President entered the hall, in which were assembled the heads of the foreign missions with their staffs, the chief Chinese officials, and members of Parliament.

After taking the oath in the following terms: "I swear I will most sincerely obey the Constitution and faithfully discharge the duties of President," the President read his declaration, in which he touched upon his former career ani sketched the outlines of his future policy. The main points of bis speech were insistence on internal peace, education, the development of commerce, and adherence to the treaties with foreign Powers. He hoped to improve the discipline and efficiency of the army and navy by concentrating his efforts rather on moral training than by trusting to sheer weight of numbers.

After reading this declaration, copy of which is enclosed, the President retired for a while, and, when the members of Parliament had withdrawn, returned to receive the Diplomatic Body, who were formed up in a line according to precedence.

The Spanish Minister, M. Luis Paster, acting as dean of the Diplomatic Body, read out in French a message of congratulation on behalf of the foreign Governments. The President replied in suitable terms, reasserting his desire to maintain intact existing friendships and treaties with foreign Powers. His Excelleney then went down the line and conversed in turn with the heads of missions, who subsequently introduced to him the members of their staffe.

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