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. Today 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 every
thing 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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