Peking, Aug. 20.
Interviewed this morning at Paotingfu by a representative of the Eastern News Agency, Marshal Tsao Kun made the following statement As to the Cabinet question, the vacancies of. the posts of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce and of the Minister of Education are to be filled. As for the Presidential question, I am determined to settle all matters ju connexion therewith in lawful manner. I am not yet ina position to foretell whether or not Parliament will be able to elect a lawful President by September 13 of the present year. Even though a President should not be elected then, international relations between China and other countries will be maintain-ea by the Regent Ministry and peace and order in the country_ preserved by the provincial authorities concerned.—In short, te solve the Presidential question, the national law and the psychology of the populace should above all be taken into account.
RELATIONS WITH CHASG TSO-LIN, With regard to the relations of Inspector-General Chang Tso-lin and myself, I dare say that I have no enmity against him at all, but that he is cunning in nature, having little regard for geod faith, Formerly, Chaag Tso-lin used to pay attention to my advice, but as he has no principle, he is easily influenced by others; for instance, last year he was instigated by the Anfu clique and the Communications Party to rise in arms against the Chihli faction, and the consequences were the defeat of the Fengtien troops. It is not improbable, therefore, that he is now attempting to make gocd last year's failure. Despite the fac. that he has effected an al-hance with the South and the Anfu clique, he is still apparently maintaining the attitude of a Icoker-on, The reason is that in the present circumstances, Gen. Lu Yung-hsiang, of Chekiang, and the troops under the command of Dr. Sun Yat-sen are not in a position to render assistance to him and that Marshal Tuan Chi-jui, who is fair and Square person, is now absorbed in reading Buddhist books. Some time ago, I advised Chang Tso-lin that, as I have no intention' to mobilize even a single soldier against Fengtien, he had better devote his military force, to the subjugation of bandits ' within' the domain of the Three Eastern' Provinces, but my advice was to no purpose, for he did not place confidence in my words, and consequently bandits are still rampant in Manchuria.
In the meantime, I have indirectly approached Dr. Sun Yat-and requested him to work for the unification of the country, He is now hard pressed for military funds, so much so that ko is levying heavy taxes and selling public property. Although Dr. Sun is to all appearance maintaining good faith, he is, in reality, oppressing and torturing the populace in the South.
feel confident that Mr. Sun Hung-yi is not on good terras with Dr. Sun Yat-sen. ° The former loves the country, but the latter is bringing calamity there.
THE LINCHENG DEMANDS, As for the diplomatic affairs of China, I take the view that it is cruel of the Powers to have made such demands upon the Chinese Government in connexion with the Lincheng incident. When the incident first broke out, Gen. Tien Chang-yn, Tuchun of Shantung, came to Paotingfu and proposed that the bandits should be subjugated forthwith. To this proposal I immediately agreed and accordingly I despatched to Lincheng three aeroplanes and with these. machines threatened the bandits. Tut the Powers then made an application that the subjugation of the bandits should be stopped, and the Chinese authorities concerned complied with the request, fearing lest the feelings of the Powers should be injured if they carried through the intention. The consequence was that the bandits became emboldened and presumptuous, making demands after demands, and thus the settlement of the incident was rendered still more difficult. It was, however, finally decided to adopt the original punitive policy which was afterwards crowned with success, just as expected at the outset of the Lincheng affair. It is absolutely wrong that the Diplomatic Corps should treat the Lincheng affair in the same manner as they dealt with the Boxer Trouble, in view of the fact that while the Chinese Gov-emument was behind the Boxer Trouble, the Lincheng affair had no backing of the Government. Lincheng was an incidental case, pure and simple; it happened because the gua.ds in that district were negligent and careless. T: king the above facts into consideration, it is hoped that the Diplomatic Corps will make concession and lighten their demands.
With regard to the railway defence question, as the Chinese authorities have decided td strengthen the defences of the railways within their jurisdiction and to do everything within' their power to protect travellers by rail, there is no necessity for organizing special, garrisons under the control of foreigners. A demand of this sort is undoubtedly tantamount_to interference in China's domestic affairs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.