The general stupefaction at the madness of this act and the military occupation of all posts and telegraph-offices in Peking allowed 48 hours to go by before the reaction came.  On the 2nd July Edicts still continued to appear attempting to galvanize to life the corpse of Imperialism and the puzzled populace flew the Dragon Flag.  On the morning of the 3rd, however, the news suddenly spread that President Li Yuan-hung, who had virtually been made a prisoner in the Presidential Palace, had escaped at nine o’clock the night before by motorcar accompanied by two aides-de-camp, and after attempting to be received at the French Hospital in the Legation Quarter, had proceeded to the Japanese Legation where he was offered a suitable residence.  On the evening of the 3rd the Japanese Legation issued the following official communique (in French) defining its attitude: 

    TRANSLATION

President Li, accompanied by two members of his staff, came at 9.30 on the evening of July 2 to the residence of General Saito, Military Attache of the Japanese Legation, and asked protection from him.  He arrived in a spontaneous manner and without previous notice.

Under these circumstances, the Imperial Japanese Legation, following international usage, has decided to accord him the necessary protection and has placed at his disposal a part of the military barracks.

    The Legation further declares that as long as President Li remains
    there, it will not permit any political action on his part.

Following this sensational development it became known that President Li Yuan-hung had completely frustrated the efforts of the Imperialists by sending away a number of important telegraphic Mandates by courier to Tientsin as well as the Presidential Seal.  By a masterly move in one of these Mandates General Tuan Chi-jui was reappointed Premier, whilst Vice-President Feng Kuo-chang was asked to officiate as President, the arrangements being so complete as at once to catch Chang Hsun in his own net.

Here is the text of these four historically important messages: 

(1) Dated July 1.  To-day Inspector General Chang Hsun entered the city with his troops and actually restored the monarchy.  He stopped traffic and sent Liang Ting-fen and others to my place to persuade me.  Yuan-hung refused in firm language and swore that he would not recognize such a step.  It is his hope that the Vice-President and others will take effective means to protect the Republic.

    Li Yuan-hung.

(2) Dated July 1.  As Heaven does not scorn calamity so has the monarchy been restored.  It is said that in an edict issued by the Ching House it is stated that Yuan-hung had actually memorialized to return the power of State to the said House.  This is an extraordinary announcement.  China changed from autocracy to a Republic by the unanimous wish of the five races of the country.  Since Yuan-hung was entrusted by the people with the great responsibilities it is his natural duty to maintain the Republic to the very end.  Nothing more or less than this will he care to say.  He is sending this in order to avoid misunderstanding.

    Li Yuan-hung.