interfere with the adoption of a form of government by another nation.  For unless this is done they cannot hope to get the due profit on the capital they have invested.  If this view is carried to the extreme, the political independence of a nation may be interfered with or even the Government may be replaced with some other organ.  If such steps are necessary to attain their views the Powers will not scruple to take them.  Therefore no nation will be allowed hereafter to choose its own form of government if that results in constant revolution, as in the case of South America in the last century.  The Governments of the future should, therefore, carefully consider the system to be adopted for the maintenance of peace; otherwise control by foreigners will be unavoidable.

We will now proceed to consider what significance these points reviewed above have for the political conditions of China.  China, owing to the folly of an absolute monarchical system, has neglected the education of the masses, whose intellectual attainments have been consequently of a low standard.  Then, there is the additional fact that the people have never had a voice in the doings of their government.  Therefore they have not the ability to discuss politics.  Four years ago the absolute monarchy was suddenly changed into a Republic.  This movement was all too sudden to expect good results.  If the Manchus had not been an alien race, which the country wished to overthrow, the best step which could then have been adopted was to retain the Emperor and gradually lead him to a constitutional government.  What the Commissioners on Constitutional Government suggested was quite practical if carried out gradually until perfection was reached.  Unfortunately the feeling of alien control was bitter to the people and the maintenance of the throne was an utter impossibility.  Thus the monarchy was overthrown and the adoption of a republican system was the only alternative.

Thus we see that China has during the last few years been progressing in constitutional government.  The pioneering stage of the process was, however, not ideal.  The results could have been much better if a person of royal blood, respected by the people, had come out and offered his service.  Under the present conditions China has not yet solved the problem of the succession to the Presidency.  What provisions we have now are not perfect.  If the President should one day give up his power the difficulties experienced by other nations will manifest themselves again in China.  The conditions in other Countries are similar to those obtaining in China and the dangers are also the same.  It is quite within the bounds of possibility that the situation might threaten China’s independence if internal disturbance should occur in connection with this problem and not be immediately put down.