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
However, it must be remembered that in order to secure the best
results from changing the Republic into a Monarchy not a single one
of the following points can be dispensed with:
1. Such a change must not arouse the opposition of the Chinese
people or the Foreign Powers, which will cause the disturbances so
energetically suppressed by the Republican Government to appear
again in China. For the peace now prevailing in the country should
be maintained at any price so that no danger may come therefrom.
2. If the law of succession be not definitely defined in such a way
that it will leave no doubts as to the proper successor, no good can
come from the change from Republic to Monarchy. I have said enough
about the necessity of not allowing the monarch to choose his own
successor. Although the power of an Emperor is greater than that of
a President, when the majority of the people know nothing, it is
more respected by the people. But the reason for such a change will
not be valid if the change is brought about merely to add to the
power of the chief executive without the question of succession
being definitely settled. For the definiteness about succession is
the most prominent point of superiority of the monarchical system
over the republican system.
3 If the Government should fail to make provisions for the
development of the constitutional government, no permanent benefit
will result from the change of a republic into a monarchy. For if
China wishes to occupy a suitable place among the world powers, the
patriotism of her people must be made to grow so that the government
will be more than strong enough to cope with outside aggression. The
patriotism of the people will not grow if they are not allowed to
participate in political affairs, and without the hearty assistance
of the people no government can become strong. For the reason why
the people will assist the government is because they feel they are
a part of the government. Therefore the government should make the
people realize that the government is the organ which aims at
bringing blessing to the people, and make the people understand that
they have the right to superintend the government before the
government can achieve great things.
Every one of the points mentioned above are indispensable for the
change of the Republic into a monarchy. Whether the necessary
conditions are present must be left to those who know China well and
are responsible for her future progress. If these conditions are all
present then I have no doubt that the change of the form of the
government will be for the benefit of China.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account