Wu Pei-fu Accused of Trying to Coerce the President Peking, Aug. 19.
From a mass of somewhat cour fioting reports regarding the cabinet crisis certain points stand out which indicate some tension in the relations between President Li Yuan-hung and Gen. Wu Pei-fu.
Mr. Sun Tan-lin's nomination of Mr. Lin Hsi-kuang as Civil Governor of Kansu and Mr. Lu Hsin's sudden assumption of office contrary to General Wu's -wishes are cited in Chinese semi-official circles as contributing to the strained relations, while Mr. Kao En-hung's departure for Peitaiho adds fuel to the fiery repens of the impending fall of the cabinet.
Mr: Kao En-hung's departure was due to peremptory demands for payment of salaries by a delegation of teachers which visited the Chiaotungpu on the 17th instant and, according to a statement issued by employees at the Chi tungpu, they rushed into the Mini: try and rudely accosted the Minister.
Whether the present friction will lead to serious developments no one seems to be in a position to judge but most. Chinese agree that the above incidents are being used yo force party issues.
In the meantime President Li Yuan-hung has sent a delegate to Peitaiho with the object of induce ing Mr. Kao En-hung to return to Peking by stating that President Li desires to share Mr. Kao's Mr. Sun Tan-lin, Vice-Minister of the Interior, is going to Loyang in order to place the real situation before General! Wa Pei-fu, while Mr. Chang Ying-hua, Vice-Minister of Finance, who as Genera] Tsao Kun's nominee is considered neutral in this affair, is endeavouring energetically to bring about a settlement.
As regards the teachers' salaries President Li personally asked Mr. Chang Ying-hua to raise the funds necessary to tide over this new emergency and there seems to be a prospect of his doing so, but most Ghinese speak pessimistically of the situation as arising from these incidents, themselves not important, but showing a clash of interests, which is important.
Sircart ow Easter.
Aug. 20.
The political situation is much easier to-day. Mr. Chin Yung-yen, the President's delegate, returned from Peitaiho last night and reported. that Mr. Kao En-hung was willing to resume his duties on the condition that hereafter the Ministries of Finance, Education and Communications jointly. bear the responsibility for educational expenses, and that the teachers and education: staff do not receive funds directly- from" the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.