the continuance of the Republic or suggest a change
for a monarchy? It is difficult to answer
these questions. But I have no doubt in saying
that the monarchical system is better suited to China
than the republican system. For, if China’s
independence is to be maintained, the government
should be constitutional, and in consideration
of China’s conditions as well as her relations
with other Powers, it will be easier to form a
constitutional government by adopting a monarchy
than a Republic.
However, it must be remembered
that in order to secure the best
results from changing the
Republic into a Monarchy not a single one
of the following points can
be dispensed with:
1. Such a change must not arouse the opposition of the Chinese people or the Foreign Powers, which will cause the disturbances so energetically suppressed by the Republican Government to appear again in China. For the peace now prevailing in the country should be maintained at any price so that no danger may come therefrom.
2. If the law of succession be not definitely defined in such a way that it will leave no doubts as to the proper successor, no good can come from the change from Republic to Monarchy. I have said enough about the necessity of not allowing the monarch to choose his own successor. Although the power of an Emperor is greater than that of a President, when the majority of the people know nothing, it is more respected by the people. But the reason for such a change will not be valid if the change is brought about merely to add to the power of the chief executive without the question of succession being definitely settled. For the definiteness about succession is the most prominent point of superiority of the monarchical system over the republican system.
3 If the Government should fail to make provisions for the development of the constitutional government, no permanent benefit will result from the change of a republic into a monarchy. For if China wishes to occupy a suitable place among the world powers, the patriotism of her people must be made to grow so that the government will be more than strong enough to cope with outside aggression. The patriotism of the people will not grow if they are not allowed to participate in political affairs, and without the hearty assistance of the people no government can become strong. For the reason why the people will assist the government is because they feel they are a part of the government. Therefore the government should make the people realize that the government is the organ which aims at bringing blessing to the people, and make the people understand that they have the right to superintend the government before the government can achieve great things.
Every one of the points mentioned above are indispensable for the change of the Republic into a monarchy. Whether the necessary conditions