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
Therefore the main object for the re-convocation of Parliament was
to make a formal constitution for the country. Recently a petition
was received from Meng En-yuen, Tu-chun of Kirin, and others, to the
effect that "in the articles passed by the Constitution Conference
there were several points as follows: 'when the House of
Representatives passes a vote of want of confidence against the
Cabinet Ministers, the President may dismiss the Cabinet Ministers,
or dissolve the said House, but the dissolution of the House shall
have the approval of the Senate.' Again, 'When the President
dismisses his Prime Minister, it is unnecessary for him to secure
the counter-signature of the Cabinet Ministers.' Again 'when a bill
is passed by the Two Houses it shall have the force of the law.' We
were surprised to read the above provisions.
"According to the precedents of other nations the Constitution has
never been made by Parliament. If we should desire a good and
workable Constitution, we should seek a fundamental solution. Indeed
Parliament is more important than any other organ in the country;
but when the national welfare is imperilled, we must take action. As
the present Parliament does not care about the national welfare, it
is requested that in view of the critical condition of the country,
drastic measures be taken and both the House of Representatives and
the Senate be dissolved so that they may be reorganized and the
Constitution may be made without any further delay. Thus the form of
the Republican Government be preserved, etc."
Of late petitions and telegrams have been received from the military
and civil officials, merchants, scholars, etc., containing similar
demands. The Senate and the House of Representatives have held the
Constitution Conference for about one year, and the Constitution has
not yet been completed. Moreover at this critical time most of the
M.P.'s of both Houses have tendered their resignation. Hence it is
impossible to secure quorums to discuss business. There is therefore
no chance to revise the articles already passed. Unless means be
devised to hasten the making of the Constitution, the heart of the
people will never be satisfied.
I, the President, who desire to comply with the will of the populace
and to consolidate the foundation of the nation, grant the request
of the Tuchuns and the people. It is hereby ordered that the Senate
and the House of Representatives be dissolved, and that another
election be held immediately. Thus a Constitutional Government can
be maintained. It must be pointed out that the object for the
reorganization of Parliament is to hasten the making of the
Constitution, and not to abolish the Legislative Organ of the
Republic. I hope all the citizens of the Republic will understand my
motives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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