Nanking Abandons Cause Of Rebels.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 31, 1913:
Announcement Made That Proclamation of Independence Has Been Canceled.
MERCY FOR SUN YAT-SEN
Other Revolutionary Leaders Must Flee for Their Lives, but It Is Likely That He Will Be Pardoned.
    SHANGHAI, July 30.— Everything was quiet here to-day and there was no attack on the Wu-Sung forts. Government cruisers are still in the lower Yangtse River.
    The recent fires in the native city caused great destruction. One block of houses one hundred yards long was completely destroyed.
    The Chamber of Commerce of Nan-king telegraphed to-day to the Military Governor of the Province of Kiang-Su and also to a number of high officials at Shanghai the following dispatch:
    Gen. Huang-Sing, the commander in chief of the Southern forces, has left Nanking. The proclamation of independence issued there has been canceled. The city is quiet.
    A naval wireless dispatch to-day confirms the report of the return of Nanking to its allegiance to the Northern Government.

    PEKING, July 30.— The return of Nanking to the side of the Peking Government is considered here as having taken away the cornerstone from the Southern rebellion.
    The Senate to-day approved the nomination of Hsiung Hsiling, ex-Minister of Finance, as Premier, and it is believed that a permanent Cabinet will now be formed.
    It is anticipated that all the rebel soldiers pledging their allegiance to the Government will be pardoned under the proclamation "To the misguided people," issued by President Yuan Shi-kai at the beginning of the rebellion. The leaders of the revolt, however, must flee for their lives.
    Throughout China Dr. Sun Yat-sen has many sympathizers, both among the Chinese and foreigners, and it would not be surprising if President Yuan Shi-kai pardoned him. Dr. Sun's name was conspicuously absent from the recent Presidential order sentencing to death the other three instigators of the revolt.

    HANKOW, July 30.— The United States gunboat Quiros, which went to Yo-Chow to investigate the recent firing on a Standard Oil Company boat, was also fired upon. The commander of the Quiros, being reluctant to engage in a combat, withdrew his vessel.
    Northern troops captured the Hu-Kow forts last Friday after a fierce bombardment from a gunboat at Oliphant's Island. The troops landed below the forts under cover of the bombardment and rushed the position at nightfall.
    The northern troops will now advance on Nan-Chang.