The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-08

tration. His attitude as formally an
nounced today is expected to have
far-reaching influence.
AT his handsome residence Within
the foreign settlement of Shanghai, DR..
WI outlined the plans and hopes of
the reformers in China.
DR.. WI said that while he was loath
to accept the Office and hesitated be-
cause Of his former close connection
with the Manchu government, he was
now practically forced to aid the cause
of China He announced that Cheng
TIE Chuan, the governor at 500 Chow
and formerly governor at Mukden,
who was the first governor to come
over to the reformers, had been elected
governor of the entire province of
Kiang Su.
Cheng Te Chuan. he said, was a
strong man and would be able to con-
troll the revolutionists and guarantee
order and the safety of foreigners.
Ninety-n per cent of the population.
he said, was supporting the present
status. DR.. WI continued:
Personally I favored limited mon
archy, retaining the emperor as a fg-
urehead, with a strong Chinese cabi-
net and constitution, but the pressing
sentiment seems to favor a republic.
In each province a governor will be
selected, each city and town giving It's
allegiance to the government. The
whole people of China, north and
south, are united against Manchu su-
premacy and the government at Pc
kin, which is corrupt and oppressive.
I admit that there are tremendous
difficulties before us, but we must win.
We guarantee an adherence to foreign
treaties whether they were made un-
fairly or fairly. We will pay our obli-
cations to 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 Chinese
DIR. WI said he fully understood the
reform movement might lead in q di-
rection, even to anarchy, but all of
the people of China were now pre-
pared to show the world the real power
Of the Chinese for orderly conduct,
self-restraint and loyalty to a fair
and honest government.
81 believe that the institution of a
republic is feasible" he said. IF 1 had
been asked this question a month ago,
| would have answered that such an
outcome was impossible. Now I have
been surprised, but I am convinced.
II the young emperor were allowed to
remain on the throne a short time,
perhaps 1t would be better, but the Sc
lection of a new dynastic head and a
new emperor would be certain to
create jealousies and produce a reign
of anarchy which would result in the
shedding of much blood.
Plans of the reformers have been
considered for six years. We cannot
hope to accomplish everything within
a short time. Trade will be tempo
rarily damaged and the people incon-
venienced and frightened.
IF the merchants are patient and
foreigners repose confidence in the
sincerity of our desire to avoid blood
shed, rowdyism can be put down, and
we guarantee a vast increase In
foreign trade and improved foreign re-
lations. We are determined to es-.
tablish a stable government and hope
to give China territorial rights and
complete autonomy"
DR.. WI stated that there would be
no reason for foreign interference, the
suggestion of which he deprecated as
dangerous and unpalatable to the peo-
pie. He said the reformers wished
recognition as belligerents wherever a
responsible local government had been
set up as at Shanghai, We Sung and
elsewhere.
In conclusion, this man, notable in
affairs of state, who has cast his lot
with the revolutionists, declared that
the trend of the world was towards
a republican form of government and
that China was now only anticipating
ffa AL