Mr. Hu:  The republican form of government is responsible.  The Chinese people are fond of good names, but they do not care much about the real welfare of the nation.  No plan to save the country is possible.  The formation of the Republic as a result of the first revolution has prevented that.

    Mr. Ko:  Why is it that there is no hope of China’s becoming strong?

Mr. Hu:  The people of a republic are accustomed to listen to the talk of equality and freedom which must affect the political and more especially the military administration.  In normal circumstances both the military and student classes are required to lay great emphasis upon unquestioned obedience and respect for those who hold high titles.  The German and Japanese troops observe strict discipline and obey the orders of their chiefs.  That is why they are regarded as the best soldiers in the world.  France and America are in a different position.  They are rich but not strong.  The sole difference is that Germany and Japan are ruled by monarchs while France and America are republics.  Our conclusion therefore is that no republic can be strong.

But since the French and American peoples possess general education they are in a position to assume responsibility for the good government of their nations which they keep in good order.  On that account, although these republics are not strong in dealing with the Powers, they can maintain peace at home.  China, however, is unlike these countries, for her standard of popular education is very low.  Most of the Chinese soldiers declare as a commonplace:  “We eat the imperial food and we must therefore serve the imperial master.”  But now the Imperial family is gone, and for it has been substituted an impersonal republic, of which they know nothing whatsoever.  These soldiers are now law-abiding because they have awe-inspiring and respectful feelings for the man at the head of the state.  But as the talk of equality and freedom has gradually influenced them, it has become a more difficult task to control them.  As an example of this corrupt spirit, the commanders of the Southern troops formerly had to obey their subordinate officers and the subordinate officers had to obey their soldiers.  Whenever there was an important question to be discussed, the soldiers demanded a voice and a share in the solution.  These soldiers were called the republican army.  Although the Northern troops have not yet become so degenerate, still they never hesitate to disobey the order of their superiors whenever they are ordered to proceed to distant localities.  Now we have come to the point when we are deeply satisfied if the army of the Republic does not openly mutiny!  We cannot expect any more from them save to hope that they will not mutiny and that they will be able to suppress internal disturbances.  In the circumstances there is no use talking about resistance of a foreign invasion by these soldiers.  As China,