and commerce has rapidly declined.  When I search my own heart a measure of sorrow fills it.  I shall, therefore, not be unwilling to suppress myself in order to yield to others.

I am still of the opinion that the “designation petitions” submitted through the Tsan Cheng Yuan are unsuited to the demands of the time; and the official acceptance of the Imperial Throne made on the 11th day of the 12th month of last year (11th December, 1915) is hereby cancelled.  “The designation petitions” of the Provinces and of the Special Administrative Areas are hereby all returned through the State Department to the Tsan Cheng Yuan, i.e., the acting Li Fa Yuan (Parliament), to be forwarded to the petitioners for destruction; and all the preparations connected therewith are to cease at once.  In this wise I hope to imitate the sincerity of the Ancients by taking on myself all the blame so that my action may fall in line with the spirit of humanity which is the expression of the will of Heaven.  I now cleanse my heart and wash my thoughts to the end that trouble may be averted and the people may have peace.  Those who advocated the monarchical system were prompted by the desire to strengthen the foundation of the country; but as their methods have proved unsuitable their patriotism might harm the country.  Those who have opposed the monarchy have done so out of their desire to express their political views.  It may be therefore presumed that they would not go to the extreme and so endanger the country.  They should, therefore, all hearken to the voice of their own conscience and sacrifice their prejudices, and with one mind and one purpose unite in the effort of saving the situation so that the glorious descendants of the Sacred Continent may be spared the horrors of internal warfare and the bad omens may be changed into lucky signs.

In brief I now confess that all the faults of the country are the result of my own faults.  Now that the acceptance of the Imperial Throne has been cancelled every man will be responsible for his own action if he further disturbs the peace of the locality and thus gives an opportunity to others.  I, the Great President, being charged with the duty of ruling over the whole country, cannot remain idle while the country is racing to perdition.  At the present moment the homesteads are in misery, discipline has been disregarded, administration is being neglected and real talents have not been given a chance.  When I think of such conditions I awake in the darkness of midnight.  How can we stand as a nation if such a state of affairs is allowed to continue?  Hereafter all officials should thoroughly get rid of their corrupt habits and endeavour to achieve merits.  They should work with might and main in their duties, whether in introducing reforms or in abolishing old corruptions.  Let all be not satisfied with empty words and entertain no bias regarding any affair.  They should hold up as their main principle of administration