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
Meantime give the people as many opportunities as possible to
acquaint themselves with political affairs, and do not stifle the
aspirations of the people or weaken their strength or damp their
interest or crush their self-respect. Then within a few years we
shall be rewarded with results. If, instead of doing all these
things, we vainly blame the form of State, we are, as Chu Tse says,
like a boat that blames the creek for its curves.
The most powerful argument of those who advocate a change to a
monarchy is that there is every possibility of disturbance at the
time of a Presidential election. This is a real danger. It is for
this reason that ten years ago I did not dare to associate myself
with the advocates of republicanism. If the critics want to attack
me on this point to support of their contentions, I advise them not
to write another article but to reprint my articles written some
time ago, which, I think, will be more effective. Fortunately,
however, we have discovered a comparatively effective remedy. For,
according to the latest President Election Law, the term of the
President is to all intents and purposes a term for life. It is
therefore impossible for such dangers to appear during the life of
the President. What concerns us is therefore what will happen after
the departure of the present President for another world. This, of
course, is a question that we do not wish to touch upon; but since
every one, even the patriarchs, must die some day, let us face the
matter openly. If Heaven blesses China and allows the Great
President to devote himself to the country for ten or more
years--during which he will be able to assert the authority of the
government, cleanse officialdom, store-up strength, consolidate the
country, and banish all hidden dangers--then there will be nothing
to choose between a republic or a monarchy. If, on the other hand,
Heaven should not be pleased so to favour us and takes away our
Great President before he is half through with his great task, then
the fate of China is sealed. No changes in the form of State will
avail under any circumstances. Therefore the question whether China
will be left in peace or not depends entirely on the length of years
the Great President will live and what he will be able to accomplish
in his lifetime. Whether the country is ruled as a republic or a
monarchy, the consequences will be the same.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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