Yuan Shih-kai's Own Account Of China's Troubles.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 6, 1913:
    The views of Yuan Shih-kai, Provisional President of the Chinese Republic, of the disturbances in that country, which by prompt and vigorous action he has almost quelled, are conveyed to readers of The New York Times this morning in a cable dispatch from his secretary, Admiral Tsai Ting-kan. The dispatch confirms the impression of the cause of the troubles already received here. The present so-called rebellion is not so much an uprising of the people against the Government at Peking as an effort by disaffected politicians and place hunters to force themselves into power.
    The thwarting of a conspiracy to overthrow the Government in June was followed by the reassembling of such of the conspirators as had not been captured and imprisoned at Kiangsi. The Governors of that and neighboring provinces had been removed from office on charges of disloyalty, and these, with their followers, joined the rebellion. Thus far the forces of the Government at Peking have been successful in every engagement, and there is every likelihood that the end of the civil war, which cannot be much longer deferred, will leave Yuan Shih-kai more strongly established than ever as ruler of China; an event in which the rest of the world cannot fail to find cause for congratulation.