should not be pleased so to favour us and takes away our Great President before he is half through with his great task, then the fate of China is sealed.  No changes in the form of State will avail under any circumstances.  Therefore the question whether China will be left in peace or not depends entirely on the length of years the Great President will live and what he will be able to accomplish in his lifetime.  Whether the country is ruled as a republic or a monarchy, the consequences will be the same.

Do you still doubt my words?  Let me go deeper into the analysis.  The difference between a republic and a monarchy lies only in the methods of succession of the head of the nation.  It is evident that although a certain law of succession may be made during the life-time of the Head, it cannot take effect until his death; and whether or not the effect thus intended will come up to expectations will depend on two factors:  (1) whether or not the merits and personal influence of the predecessor will continue effective after his death, and (2) whether or not there will be unscrupulous and insubordinate claimants at the death of the Head, and, if any, the number of such men and whether the point of dispute they raise be well-founded.  If these are taken as the basis for discerning the future we will arrive at the same conclusion whether the country be a republic or a monarchy.

VI.  THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LAW

The Presidential Election Law, however, provides that the successor should be nominated by his predecessor, and the name of the successor so nominated is to be locked in the golden box in the stone strong-room.  The President may now, on the one hand, multiply his merits and strengthen his personal influence so that the whole country will gladly bow to his wishes to the extent that even after his death they will not want to disobey his last wish, and on the other hand, the President may quietly ascertain the likely causes which would produce dissension, and take suitable steps to prevent and be rid of them.  If the seed of dissension is in the ordinances, then alter the ordinances so that they may not be used as a tool by possible claimants.  If the seed of dissension is in a person then cultivate that man, lead him to righteousness, place him in a suitable position so that he may be protected from temptation.  Meanwhile let the President carefully select his successor on whom he may eventually lay the responsibilities of State (according to the Presidential Election Law the President is at liberty to suggest any one he likes, his own son or some one else).  Let the nominee be placed in a responsible position so as to bring him to public notice.  Give him real authority so that he may establish his influence.  Place his name at the head of other men of little consequence in the golden box.  Then there will be absolutely no ground for dispute when the time comes to open the box.