Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1916 — Not a Pigtail to Be Seen in the Chinese Parliament [ARTICLE]

Not a Pigtail to Be Seen in the Chinese Parliament

The opening ceremonies of the Chinese parliament in Peking marked the full turn of the circle to Republican subplicity from the antique formalties and gorgeous ritual which President Yuan restored in the brief period when he was emperor-elect. But the frock coat of the president who walked in'and sat down while all the members were standing around gossiping was not such a surprise as the geniality and courtesy which prevailed. Old rivals shook hands and chatted of the prospects In a manner which was Impossible when everybody was wondering if his neighbor had sold himself or/would sell him, and the air of suspicion which hung about the place like a cloud in the Yuan days completely absent. Even the guards at the door were an unknown quantity in the old times. There were present 456 legislators and not a pigtail among them. Very few were in uniform. A good many wore modern Chinese dress, but those who hold official positions mostly came Tn Prince Alberts—