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
(1) Dated July 1. To-day Inspector General Chang Hsun entered the
city with his troops and actually restored the monarchy. He stopped
traffic and sent Liang Ting-fen and others to my place to persuade
me. Yuan-hung refused in firm language and swore that he would not
recognize such a step. It is his hope that the Vice-President and
others will take effective means to protect the Republic.
Li Yuan-hung.
(2) Dated July 1. As Heaven does not scorn calamity so has the
monarchy been restored. It is said that in an edict issued by the
Ching House it is stated that Yuan-hung had actually memorialized to
return the power of State to the said House. This is an
extraordinary announcement. China changed from autocracy to a
Republic by the unanimous wish of the five races of the country.
Since Yuan-hung was entrusted by the people with the great
responsibilities it is his natural duty to maintain the Republic to
the very end. Nothing more or less than this will he care to say. He
is sending this in order to avoid misunderstanding.
Li Yuan-hung.
(3) The President to the Vice-President.
To the Vice-President Feng at Nanking--It is to be presumed that the
two telegrams sent on the 1st have safely reached you. I state with
deepest regret and greatest sorrow that as the result of my lack of
ability to handle the situation the political crisis has eventually
affected the form of government. For this Yuan-hung realizes that he
owes the country apology. The situation in Peking is daily becoming
more precarious. Since Yuan-hung is now unable to exercise his power
the continuity of the Republic may be suddenly interrupted. You are
also entrusted by the citizens with great responsibilities; I ask
you to temporarily exercise the power and functions of the President
in your own office in accordance with the provisions of Article 42
of the Provisional Constitution and Article 5 of the Presidential
Election Law. As the means of communication is effectively blocked
it is feared that the sending of my seal will meet with difficulty
and obstruction. Tuan Chih-chuan (Tuan Chi-jui) has been appointed
Premier, and is also ordered to temporarily protect the seal, and
later to devise a means to forward it on to you. Hereafter
everything pertaining to the important question of saving the
country shall be energetically pushed by you and Chih-chuan with
utmost vigour. The situation is pressing and your duty is clear. In
great anxiety and expectation I am sending you this telegram.
Li Yuan-hung.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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