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
Heaven is chastening this country by the series of disturbances that
have taken place. Chang Hsun, filled with sinister designs, has
occupied the capital by bringing up his troops under the pretext of
effecting a compromise with the astounding result that last night
the Republican form of government was overthrown. The question of
the form of Government is the very fundamental principle on which
the national existence depends. It requires assiduous efforts to
settle the form of government and once a decision has been reached
on the subject, any attempt to change the same is bound to bring on
unspeakable disasters to the country. To-day the people of China are
much more enlightened and democratic in spirit than ever before. It
is, therefore, absolutely impossible to subjugate the millions by
holding out to the country the majesty of any one family.
When the Republic of China was being founded, the Ching House, being
well aware of the general inclinations of modern peoples, sincerely
and modestly abdicated its power. Believing that such spirit
deserved handsome recognition the people were willing to place the
Ching House under the protection of special treatment and actually
recorded the covenant on paper, whereby contentment and honour were
vouchsafed the Ching House. Of the end of more than 20 dynasties of
Chinese history, none can compare with the Ching dynasty for peace
and safety.
Purely for sake of satisfying his ambitions of self-elevation Chang
Hsun and others have audaciously committed a crime of inconceivable
magnitude and are guilty of high treason. Like Wang Mang and Tung
Tso he seeks to sway the whole nation by utilizing a young and
helpless emperor. Moreover he has given the country to understand
that Li Yuan-hung has memorialized the Ching House that many evils
have resulted from republicanism and that the ex-emperor should be
restored to save the masses. That Chang Hsun has been guilty of
usurpation and forging documents is plain and the scandal is one
that shocks all the world.
Can it be imagined that Chang Hsun is actuated by a patriotic
motive? Surely despotism is no longer tolerated in this stage of
modern civilization. Such a scheme can only provoke universal
opposition. Five years have already passed since the friendly Powers
accorded their recognition of the Chinese Republic and if we think
we could afford to amuse ourselves with changes in the national
fabric, we could not expect foreign powers to put up with such
childishness. Internal strife is bound to invite foreign
intervention and the end of the country will then be near.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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