Revolution; abdication of the Manchu rulers; establishment of a provisional republican government; concerted action of the Powers; correspondence concerning recognition of the Republic of China

Note.—Early in the disturbances the revolutionary military leaders in the Yangtze provinces and in southern China established a cabinet form of government with Nanking as headquarters, and convoked an assembly composed of their representatives. On December 29, 1911, this Nanking assembly unanimously elected Dr. Sun Yat Sen Provisional President of the Republic of China and he was inaugurated on January 1, 1912. On February 12 the Manchu Emperor abdicated, vesting the sovereignty in the people, declaring for a republican form of government, and appointing Yuan Shin Kai to organize such, a government. On February 15 Yuan was elected Provisional President by the Nanking assembly, to succeed Dr. Sun, who resigned in his favor. Yuan was inaugurated at Peking March 10, and the Nanking assembly, with the approval of the Peking authorities, adopted a provisional constitution providing for the calling of a representative national assembly to adopt a permanent constitution and elect a president, thereby providing for the normal establishment of constitutional government. The national assembly was to meet at Peking within 10 months after the promulgation of the provisional constitution; meantime the authority of the State was to be exercised by an Advisory Council, the Provisional President, and his Cabinet.

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