The Fight for the Republic in China eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 514 pages of information about The Fight for the Republic in China.

The Fight for the Republic in China eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 514 pages of information about The Fight for the Republic in China.

As a result of the examples set up by France and America, at the end of the Eighteenth Century the Spanish colonies in Central and South America also declared their independence one after the other.  The conditions then prevailing in those countries were somewhat similar to those of America.  When their independence was declared, it seemed that the republican system was best suited to their condition.  For on the one hand there was no imperial house to direct the people, on the other hand the Republic of North America was a good example to follow.  Public opinion was at that time unanimous that since the republican form of government was the ideal form, it was suitable for any country and any people.  The idea thus quickly spread and almost every country became a republic.  The independence of these countries, however, was secured only at the cost of a hard struggle and once the spirit of rebellion was aroused it became difficult to suppress in a short while.  And since education was not then universal the intellect of the people was low.  What they were expert in was in autocratic methods.  No task is harder than to establish a republic in a country, the intelligence of whose people is low.  These republics, therefore, reaped no good results although they tried to retain republicanism unnaturally.  The consequence is that the republics of Central and South America have been a living drama of continuous internal disturbance.  One after another their military leaders have grasped the power of administration.  Occasionally there has been peace but this peace has only been secured by the iron hand of one or two powerful men holding the power.  Such powerful men, however, seldom pay any attention to educational matters, and one never hears of their establishing any schools.  As to the people under them, they are not allowed to participate in political affairs by which their experience in politics may be ripened.  The result is, on the man in power becoming sick or dying—­and the iron rule relaxed—­that those who wish to usurp the power of the state rise at once; and as the satisfactory solution of the problem of succession cannot be found, those undertakings which have made progress during the time of peace are swept away without a single exception.  In extreme cases the disturbances continues to such an extent that the country falls into a state of anarchy.  Thus the social and financial factors of the whole country are trodden on and destroyed under foot.  The conditions now prevailing in Mexico have been many times duplicated in other republics in Central and South America.  For this can be the only result from adopting the republican form of government where the political and financial conditions are unsuited.  Diaz, a military leader, once held the power of state in his own hand, and when he became the President of Mexico it looked as if the political problem was solved thereby.  Diaz, however, did not push education but instead oppressed the people and did not allow them to participate in politics.  When he was advanced in age and his influence decreased, he lost entire control once the banner of rebellion was raised.  Ever since the overthrow of Diaz, military leaders of that country have been fighting one another and the disturbance is developing even today.  In the present circumstances there is no other means to solve the political problem of Mexico except by intervention from abroad. (Sic.)

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The Fight for the Republic in China from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.