Arizona republican., 1911-11-05

remarkable democratic spirit. quite tho
reverse from what the casual reader or
the superficial observer at close range
would naturally be led to expect; even
an imperiG! decree has not infrequent-
ly been made utterly imperative by
the quiet, passive opposition of the
dwellers in a city. or the peasants of a
district: and repeatedly that democra-
tic spirit has verged upon rebellion
| when the people have declared: I'VE
will not have this man to rule over
u.s."
Time and again. officials sent from
Pekin. bearing imperial commissions
even vicerovs of the highest rank, have
been compelled TO ask for transfer
when by word or deed they have in
Cured the disfavor of the people they
were sent to govern; and rarely has
this exhibition of dissatisfaction been
calmly or violently ignored.
There is nothing surprising in the
present signs of internal trouble in tn
Chinese Empire: those who have
watched events carefully have been
rather astonished that it has not come
sooner. There are now so many news
papers published in China. and facili-
ties for sending them 10 every nook
and corner Of the realm are now 81
adequate. that the power which comes
with knowledge has attained proper
tons that surprise Chinese leaders
themselves. and would amaze all for
eigners who were accustomed to con-
ditions Of a score Of years ago.
The experiment of provincial assem-
blies was not a failure. simply it was
insufficiently carried out; the desire
for these is growing stronger all the
time and is likely to win the day.
Thus it comes about that there
seems to be no Chinese line from which
to choose an emperor. If the necessity
for doing so should arrive. and this fact
makes the situation all the more grave.
Should there come a peaceful uprising
and a downfall of the Manchus. sue
cessor would OF necessity either De
chosen bv the officials or people. or
someone would seize the throne through
success or intrigue; but the latter al
tentative precludes. almost, the pos
sibility of a peaceful change.
II would be almost inevitable that
such n revolution is to be bloody one
and therefore il is not surprising that
when a dynastic change is mentioned
the best Chinese look grave and are
inclined TO Indorse the opinion of Chang
Chin Tung. "China's greatest viceroy.
himself a true Chinese. who stands
firmly for the support of the reigning
dynasty.
Ru, should the choice of new line
he the expression of the popular wish,
what is that but a form of republic
And for such a government. even tne
most enthusiastic of China's friends
are not yet prepared. while the sugges-
tion itself comes from those only who
are stamped as overZealous by natives
and foreigners alike.
Jmnerialism in China has almost
been more a name than a reality, ana
not one of the dynastic changes mas
been ACCOMPLISHED without the she'd
ding Of rivers of blood: and the iead-
inc chinese are now strongly Tor IN
formal peace. External peace, then'
must have for many years to come, IL
no faint track toward national great
,ess which has been merely blazed out
,ecomes broad road leading to new
n form Of greatness than emma mas
yer before attained: but one WHICH,
her past record has shown
he is thoroughly competent TO treau'