Repudiation of Peking Government at Meeting of Chamber and Shanghai Merchants A large, and important meeting, representing practically every public Chinese body in Shanghai, was held at the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, North Honan Road, on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fang Shao-pah,—Vice+Chairman of the chamber, presiding. It is estimated that some 600 persons were present.
The question of the present national situation was discussed at some length and the various delegates strongly repudiated the authority of the so-called Peking Government and declared the acts of the "iiegal" Parliament invalid. It was decided to despatch circular telegrams to the various provincial authorities requesting them to maintain peace and order. Another resolution was that a Citizens' Commission be appointed to study and deal with the problem of national reconstruction, this to be composed of 70 members.
In his opening address, Mr. Hang pointed out the dangers of the political crisis and stated that the graveyess of the whole matter could not too severely be commented upon. Mr. Fok Siu-wah, Chairman of the Cantonese Guild, strongly condemned the Peking Government and Parliament and submitted a memorandum with four resolutions. These were as follows:
1. Be it resolved that the Government set up at Peking by Kao Ling-wei and his associates be hereby declared illegal, and that Tsao Kun as a presidential candidate be hereby declared disqualified.
2. Be it resolved that the military and civil authorities in the provinces be earnestly urged by circular telegrams addressed to them to devise effective measures for the maintenance of peace and order in the provinces, and the special protection of _—_ foreign residents; and that the question of adjusting the political situation be left in the hands of the people.
Be it resolved that the actions of the M. P.'s who have. proved incapable of representing the people be hereby declared invalid 4. Be it resolved that a Popular Government Committee be formed for dealing with the various problems of national reconstruction, and that the entire regular Committee of the Chamber. as well as 35 members to be nominated by election, will serve on the said committee.
Qircular telegrams embodying these resolutions were despatched to the various provincial authorities, the citizens and to Parliament the message to the hon. M. P.'s stating that hereafter they have no authority to represent the people of China, hence all their actions hereafter are invalid.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.