the world republics only France has had her monarchical system revived twice after the republic was first inaugurated.  The monarchy, however, disappeared almost immediately.  Thus we may well understand how difficult it is for a country to return to its monarchical state after a republican regime.  It may be said that China has had only a short experience of the republican regime; but it must also be remembered that the situation has been developing for more than ten years and in actual existence for about four years.  During the period of development the revolutionists denounced the monarch in most extravagant terms and compared him to the devil.  Their aim was to kill the mystic belief of the people in the Emperor; for only by diminishing the dignity of the monarch could the revolutionary cause make headway.  And during and after the change all the official documents, school textbooks, press views and social gossip have always coupled the word monarch with reprobation.  Thus for a long while this glorious image has been lying in the dirty pond!  Leaving out the question that it is difficult to restore the monarchy at the present day, let us suppose that by arbitrary method we do succeed in restoring it.  You will then find that it will be impossible for it to regain in former dignity and influence.

Turning to another aspect, the most natural course would seem to be a revival of the last dynasty.  It might have been possible for a Charles II and Louis XVIII of China to appear again, if not for the hatred of racial domination.  But since the last dynasty was Manchu this is out of the question.  If a new dynasty were set up it would require many years of hard labour and a great deal of organizing to succeed.  Even then only a few have succeeded in this way in prolonging their dynasties by actually convincing the people of their merits.  Therefore for several years I have been saying to myself that it would be easier to strengthen the country and place it on a sounder basis if it were possible for us to return to our monarchical state.  And to revive the monarchical government there are two ways.

One is that after thoroughly reforming the internal administration under the leadership of the present Great President, that is, when all the neglected affairs of the country have been well attended to, every family in the land made happy and prosperous, the army well-trained and all the necessary bitterness “eaten,” the President, when a suitable opportunity presented itself, should have the rare fortune to gain a decisive victory over a foreign foe; then his achievements would be such that the millions of people would compel him to ascend the throne, and so he would hand his sceptre on to his descendants for endless ages.