New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-08
WI TING-FANG. REPUBLICAN
Former Chinese Minister in
Washington Is Anti Manchu.

Washington Is Anti Manchu.
Shanghai. Nov DIR. WI TinC-fang.
who has been chosen Director Of Foreign
Affairs N the reform government estab-
| lshed by the revoutionlsts I'm the Province
Of Kiang-Su. to-day gave long statement
10 The Associated Press. in which he an
pcunced his adherence 10 the movement
designed To establish a republican form of
government in China.
! pr. Wu Ting-fang has twice occupied
the office Of Chinese Minister to the United
States. IN which country he became widely
known.
At his handsome residence within the
| foreign settlement of Shanghai Or. WI
outlined the plans and hopes OF the re-
formers In China. Wen Tsung-yeo for
| merly imperial resident at Lhassa, who
has been appointed Assistant Director of
Foreign Affairs I'm the new. government,
was present when the statement was
made
Or WI said that while he was loath
10 accept Office and hesltated because Of
! his former close connection with the
/ Manchu government. he was now prac-
tically forced to aid the cause Of China.
| He announced that Cheng Te-chuan. Gov
ernor at Soo-Chow. and formerly Governor
az Moukden, Manchuria and the first Gov
ernor TO come over TO the reformers, had
been elected Governor Of the entire Prov
ince Of Kiang-Su. He said that Cheng
Te-chuan was strong man and would he
able TO control the revolutionists and
guarantee order and the safety OF FOR
oicners. Ninety-nine per cent OF the
population, he said, was supporting Inc
present status. DR.. WI continued:
personally, I favored limited mon
archy. retaining the Emperor as a figure
head. with a strong Chinese cabinet and
constitution. but the prevailing sentiment
appears to favor a republic.
"In each province a governor will be Sc
lected. each city and town giving Its al
legiance TO the new government. The whole
| people OF China, North and South, are
| united against Manchu supremacy and the
government at Picking, which is corrupt
| and prone TO be oppressive.
| 81 admit that there are tremendous diff
culties before us. but we must win. we
guarantee an adherence to foreign treaties,
whether they were made unfairly or fair
". We will pay our obligations 10 foreign
nations and open up all the ports OF CHINA
to foreign trade Thus will be guaranteed
an enormous advantage to all foreigners,
! as well as TO China"
Dr. WI said he fully understood that the
reform movement might lead in any direc-
ton. even to anarchy. but all the people
of China were now prepared TO show the
world the real power Of the Chinese for
orderly conduct, self-restraint and loyalty
| to fair and honest government.
II believe that the institution OF re-
public Is feasible" he said. IF | had
| been asked this question a month ago |
| would have answered that such an outcome
was impossible. Now ! have been sur
! prised but I am convinced. II the young
Emperor were allowed to remain on the
! throne short time longer perhaps 1t
would be better. but the selection OF
new dynastic head and a new Emperor
would be certain to create jealousies and
produce reign Of anarchy, which would
result i'm the shedding OF much blood.
The plans Of the reformers have been
| cons idered for six years. We cannot hope
10 accomplish everything within a short
time Trade will be temporarily damaged
and the people Inconvenience and fright
ened II the merchants are patient and
OF our desire to avoid bloodshed rowdyism
can be put down, and we guarantee vast
increase in foreign trade and improved for
ogn relations. We are determined TO es-
tabl:sh 2 stable government. and hope 10
give China complete autonomy
experimenting his formal statement later,
Dr. Wa Ting-fang made it plain that no
was not definitely committed to the idea
Of a republic. though he believed that such
a government would he feasible. Person
ally he favored a constitutional monarchy,
but he was I'm sympathy with the general
revolutionary movement. and the majority
behind that movement had set their hearts
on a republic. He added:
! Whatever the outcome OF the present
upheayaI it will he 10 the advantage Of
China. II the revoutionists succeed the
! question OF whether the future government
will be a republic or constitutional mon
archv will have to be decided. IL II Is to
be the former ! anticipate combination
Of the United States Constitution with the
acts Of the German federation.
ar any case New China will seek the
| friendship Of foreigners, and probably
revision OF her treaties will ensue. Any
how. China will be opened to foreign trade
and the government and people alike Will
do their utmost TO stimulate business with
the outside world and develop the natural
| resources of the country. Foreign advisers
=, administrative capacity Will also be
needed"
Roth DIR. WI Ting-fang and Wen Tsung-
vac stated, however, that there would Dc
no reason for foreign interference the sug-
res,ion of which they deprecated as dan
perous and unpalatable to the people. They
sa,d that the reformers wished recognition
az heuigerents wherever a responsible To-
cal government had been set up as at
Shanghai. Wu-Sung and elsewhere
In conclusion these men, ho'do'e III a.,
-. 90 state who have cast their lot with
the revoluionists. declared that the trend
~ the world was toward republican form
Of government and that China now was
only anticipating the Inevitable