The Fight for the Republic in ChinaPutnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
History
The Fight for the Republic in China
Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949; China -- Politics and government
But it is time to turn to the arguments of Yang Tu and allow
a Chinese to picture the state of his country:
A DEFENCE OF THE MONARCHICAL MOVEMENT
PART I
Mr. Ko (or "the stranger"): Since the establishment of the Republic
four years have passed, and upon the President depends the
preservation of order at home and the maintenance of prestige
abroad. I suppose that after improving her internal administration
for ten or twenty years, China will become a rich and prosperous
country, and will be able to stand in the front rank with western
nations.
Mr. Hu: No! No! If China does not make any change in the form of
government there is no hope for her becoming strong and rich; there
is even no hope for her having a constitutional government. I say
that China is doomed to perish.
Mr. Ko: Why so?
Mr. Hu: The republican form of government is responsible. The
Chinese people are fond of good names, but they do not care much
about the real welfare of the nation. No plan to save the country is
possible. The formation of the Republic as a result of the first
revolution has prevented that.
Mr. Ko: Why is it that there is no hope of China's becoming strong?
Mr. Hu: The people of a republic are accustomed to listen to the
talk of equality and freedom which must affect the political and
more especially the military administration. In normal circumstances
both the military and student classes are required to lay great
emphasis upon unquestioned obedience and respect for those who hold
high titles. The German and Japanese troops observe strict
discipline and obey the orders of their chiefs. That is why they are
regarded as the best soldiers in the world. France and America are
in a different position. They are rich but not strong. The sole
difference is that Germany and Japan are ruled by monarchs while
France and America are republics. Our conclusion therefore is that
no republic can be strong.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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