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
I will not discuss the question: as to whether there being no
righteous and able heir-apparent to succeed his Emperor-father,
great danger may not confront the nation. However, in order to
provide against any such case, I advocate that the formation of a
constitutional government should go hand in hand with the
establishment of the monarchy. At first it is difficult to establish
and carry out a constitutional government, but once it is formed it
will be comparatively easy. When the constitutional government has
been established, the Emperor will have to seek his fame in such
useful things as the defence of his country and the conquest of his
enemy. Everything has to progress, and men possessing European
education will be made use of by the reigning family. The first
Emperor will certainly do all he can to capture the hearts of the
people by means of adopting and carrying out in letter as well as in
spirit constitutional government. The heir-apparent will pay
attention to all new reforms and new things. Should he do so, the
people will be able to console themselves by saying that they will
aways be the people of a constitutional monarchy even after the
succession to the throne of the heir-apparent. When the time comes
for the heir-apparent to mount the throne the people will extend to
him their cordial welcome, and there will be no need to worry about
internal disturbances.
Therefore, I conclude that the successor to the presidential chair
has to prevent chaos by wielding the monarchical power, while the
new emperor can avert internal disquietude forever by means of his
constitutional government. This is the fourth difference between the
republic and the monarchy. These four differences are accountable
for the fact that there will not be as much disturbance at the time
of the change of emperors as at the time when the president is
changed.
Mr. Ko: I can understand what you have said with regard to the
advantages and disadvantages of the republic and the monarchy, but
there are many problems connected with the formation of a
constitutional monarchy which we have to solve. Why is it that the
attempt to introduce constitutional government during the last years
of the Manchu Dynasty proved a failure?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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