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
republics of the world will tell us that although a large number of
them suffered under republican rule, not a single one succeeded in
shaking itself free of the republican fetters. Among the world
republics only France has had her monarchical system revived twice
after the republic was first inaugurated. The monarchy, however,
disappeared almost immediately. Thus we may well understand how
difficult it is for a country to return to its monarchical state
after a republican régime. It may be said that China has had only a
short experience of the republican régime; but it must also be
remembered that the situation has been developing for more than ten
years and in actual existence for about four years. During the
period of development the revolutionists denounced the monarch in
most extravagant terms and compared him to the devil. Their aim was
to kill the mystic belief of the people in the Emperor; for only by
diminishing the dignity of the monarch could the revolutionary cause
make headway. And during and after the change all the official
documents, school text-books, press views and social gossip have
always coupled the word monarch with reprobation. Thus for a long
while this glorious image has been lying in the dirty pond! Leaving
out the question that it is difficult to restore the monarchy at the
present day, let us suppose that by arbitrary method we do succeed
in restoring it. You will then find that it will be impossible for
it to regain in former dignity and influence.
Turning to another aspect, the most natural course would seem to be
a revival of the last dynasty. It might have been possible for a
Charles II and Louis XVIII of China to appear again, if not for the
hatred of racial domination. But since the last dynasty was Manchu
this is out of the question. If a new dynasty were set up it would
require many years of hard labour and a great deal of organizing to
succeed. Even then only a few have succeeded in this way in
prolonging their dynasties by actually convincing the people of
their merits. Therefore for several years I have been saying to
myself that it would be easier to strengthen the country and place
it on a sounder basis if it were possible for us to return to our
monarchical state. And to revive the monarchical government there
are two ways.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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