is a government with a set of fixed laws which guard the actions of both the people and the president none of whom can overstep the boundary as specified in the laws.  No ruler, whether be he a good man or a bad man, can change one iota of the laws.  The people reap the benefit of this in consequence.  It is easy to make a country strong and rich but it is difficult to establish a constitutional government.  When a constitutional government has been established, everything will take care of itself, prosperity following naturally enough.  The adoption of a constitutional government at the present moment can be compared to the problem of a derailed train.  It is hard to put the train back on the track, but once on the track it is very easy to move the train.  What we should worry about is not how to make the country rich and prosperous, but how to form a genuine constitutional government.  Therefore I say that if China desires to be strong and prosperous, she should first of all adopt the constitutional form of government.

    Mr. Ko:  I do not understand why it is that a monarchy should be
    established before the constitutional form of government can be
    formed?

Mr. Hu:  Because if the present system continues there will be intermittent trouble.  At every change of the president there will be riot and civil war.  In order to avert the possibility of such awful times place the president in a position which is permanent.  It follows that the best thing is to make him Emperor.  When that bone of contention is removed, the people will settle down to business and feel peace in their hearts, and devote their whole energy and time to the pursuit of their vocations.  It is logical to assume that after the adoption of the monarchy they will concentrate their attention on securing a constitutional government which they know is the only salvation for their country.  As for the Emperor, knowing that he derives his position from the change from a republic, and filled with the desire of pacifying the people, he cannot help sanctioning the formation of the constitutional form of government which in addition, will insure to his offspring the continuation of the Throne.  Should he adopt any other course, he will be exposed to great personal danger.  If he is broadminded, he will further recognize the fact that if no constitutional form of government is introduced, his policy will perish after his death.  Therefore I say that before the adoption of the constitutional form of government, a monarchy should be established.  William I. of Germany and the Emperor Meiji of Japan both tried the constitutional form of government and found it a success.

    Mr. Ko:  Please summarize your discussion.