Still Presidentless

In Peking, an attempt was made to hold the Presidential election. It failed, owing to the Cabinet's inability to raise a quorum of 580 Members of Parliament. The actual number of Parliamentarians gathered together in the specially beflagged city was about 400.

Tsao-Kun, Chili Tuchun War Lord) was active in the background. It was asserted that he offered to buy votes at prices varying with the re- ports from $5,000 to $10,000. A section of the Chinese press contended that the members were entitled to accept the bribes, as they had been unable to collect their salaries. There were, reputedly, some 200 members who simply could not be bought.

Ex-President Li Yuan-Hung fled from Tientsin and arrived at Shanghai in Southern China. A new plot to reinstate him was reported. There are some 300 Parliamentarians in Shanghai, and it is hoped that witb their support, together with aid from Dr. Sun Yat Sen, General Li Ynan-Hung will find himself back in the Presidential palace in Peking.

The report, however, lacks authenticity. Sun Yat-Seri is known to be backing Chang Tso-Lin for the Presidency, and they are both unlikely to give support to Li. Moreover, the Anfu Party (which was overthrown in 1920), is politically impotent in face of the Tuchuns' power.

Another attempt is soon to be made to collect a quoram to elect a President. It seems foredoomed to failure.