Whilst the country is governed by an able president, the people enjoy peace and prosperity.  But once an incapable man assumes the presidency, chaos will become the order of the day, a state of affairs which will finally lead to the overthrow of the president himself and the destruction of the country.  In such circumstances, how can you devise a general policy for the country which will last for a hundred years?  I say that there is no hope for China establishing a truly constitutional government.

Mr. Ko:  In your opinion there is no hope for China becoming strong and rich or for her acquiring a constitutional government.  She has no choice save ultimately to disappear.  And yet is there no plan possible whereby she may be saved?

Mr. Hu:  If China wishes to save herself from ultimate disappearance from the face of the earth, first of all she must get rid of the republic.  Should she desire wealth and strength, she must adopt a constitutional government.  Should she want constitutional government she must first establish a monarchy.

    Mr. Ko:  How is it that should China desire wealth and strength she
    must first adopt the constitutional form of government?

Mr. Hu:  Wealth and strength is the object of the country, and a constitutional government is the means to realizing this object.  In the past able rulers could accomplish their purpose without a constitutional government.  We refer to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Tai Chung of the Tang Dynasty.  However, when these able rulers died their system of administration died with them.  This contention can be supported by numerous historical instances; but suffice to say that in China as well as in Europe, the lack of a constitutional government has been the cause of the weakness of most of the nations in ancient times.  Japan was never known as a strong nation until she adopted a constitutional government.  The reason is this:  when there is no constitutional government, the country cannot continue to carry out a definite policy.

Within comparatively recent times there was born in Europe the constitutional form of government.  European nations adopted it, and they became strong.  The most dangerous fate that can confront a nation is that after the death of an able ruler the system of administration he has established disappears with him; but this the constitutional form of government is able to avert.  Take for instance William I. of Germany who is dead but whose country continues to this day strong and prosperous.  It is because of constitutional government.  The same is true of Japan, which has adopted constitutional government and which is becoming stronger and stronger every day.  The change of her executive cannot affect her progress in respect of her strength.  From this it is quite clear that constitutional government is a useful instrument for building up a country.  It