The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-04

porary revolutionary president, hand
ed to Mr. Tang. prime minister. IN,
seals OF Office he had heretofore held
to be transferred TO the constitutional
president, Mr. Yuan. Following this
the entire Cabinet Of Mr.. Yuan was
announced, and the general policy OF
the Prepayment government was pro-
claimed and applaudcd.
Tho ceremony onnnot but be re-
Enrded as Mt once indicative of
restoration OF public confidence in Mr.
| fuan. who Is far ana away the most
enlightened and the ablcst Chinese
statesman OF his day, and az assuring
iuii acceptance by tho revolutionists
of the compromise regime engineered
| by the constitutional executive and
based upon the abdicatlon OF the
Manchu dynasty. with its race
saved"
Still further. and Of nrst i'm
portancc. IT marks the practical be-
ginning OF Il single dc facto govern
ment the evolution on, OF threatened
chaos, trrespons'bility and conflict OF
clains to authority and popular sun
port Of a concrete governmental order
with which the foreign powers can
treat and corporate In preserving
order and enabling China to ind. her
self
Prior to the institution al Nanking
Of the permanent constitutional
status the way for such co-opcration
was not only not clearly open. but tho
situation presented the possibility OF
excuse for intervention in the name
OF law and order and the cause of
humanity that might we'll have fore
Shadowed the partition of China.
~ ii Is. any of the powers that
may have been preparing tentatively
for suoh devclopment-and thre- nj
least arc not above suspicion-are
placed largely on tho defensive. They
are now IN effect challenged TO pluy
squarcly the game of aiding China.
should their aid be needed or re-
quested, In rehahilltating herself and
preserving her territorial integrity
The door Is closed TO their read
fusting their treaties with China ana
understanding with one another 10
unforeseen crises and unexpected ,
complications carrying menace 10
civilization ANA demanding rs a duty
70 I'll" world that they increase their
Aslatic sphere of Influence at tho cx-
ncnse OF China. While It would he
visionary to anticipate as thc result
% tho Nan1ing compact the i'm
mediate dawn Of an era Of peace and |
1u'et and recognition OF the consti-
lutional system throughout tho coun-
try, the promise is brighter than ever !
before for tho REPUBLICS becoming an !
accomplished fact, and for China's |
finally turning her face fully to the
OF a now civilization. to an
epoch of cont nnlng modern progress
10 true understanding of representa- I
tive inst'tutions-to regeneration. in !
short
The prophecy Is governmental.
iivic. social, moral. educational rcvo-
luton through cmergcnce from the !
;crcments OF prejudice and super
,titiom incrustcd conservatism or
centuries. II Will be miraculous
transformation, but the simple fact
DC the Nankins agreements having
been reached after virtual anarchy |
had prevailed for months is signln-
can't of a sway of reason and patriot !
ism which cannot but justify conf
!cnce tina, the miracle can be worked
In the improved situation China !
would appear to have placed herself ,
IN position TO conserve her territorial
entity, accomplish her own saliva
lion, and demand, and be entitled 10,
h" sympathy ana support OF the out
side world in SO doing.