The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-11-14
REPUBLIC DESTROYED.

Shi Kai is seeking to abolish the Chi
nesc Republic. On Wednesday the Chi
nese parliament was suspended by the
decision of the joint session, which was
attended by those members oil the two
Houses who remained following the cx
pulsion OF 800 representatives of the
Democratic party. AS neither House
had been able TO form quorum and lc-
gally pass laws, the decision OF the
joint session would appear to have been
justified, but the action is il full ac-
cord with the plans OF Yuan Shi Kai,
who desires to substitute for the par
| Hament an administrative council U!
seventy-one members composed of cabl-
net officers and others appointed by the
President.
1t is now easy to see that the revolu-
tion against Yuan undertaken recently
| by DR.. sun Vat Sen was patriotic at
tempt to preserve tic Chinese Repub-
lie. Wherever love OF freedom glows IN
the hearts OF men tho defeat OF DIR. Sun
Yat Sen and his followers will DC looked
upon as deplorable. We may hope,
however, that just as the French revo-
luton, which was checked temporarily
by the imperialism OF Napoleon, was
later impressed permanently upon the
government, laws and customs OF the
French people, the Chinese revolution,
which overthrow the world s most an
cient Empire and dispelled the intellec-
tual and industrial inertia OF many ages,
will become a guiding spirit OF China
long after the traitorous Yuan has
gone down TO dishonored grave.
From the first Yuan Shi kai was sus-
pected OF being in league with the
foreign powers. He had become a Presi-
dent, not because he represented any
thing beyond his own selfish interests,
but merely because he had been able to
delude China S reformers into the belief
that he favored republican principles,
The greatest blunder of DR.. Sun Vat
Sen, after the revolution had deposed
the Manchu dynasty, was to step aside
and permit Yuan Shi Kai TO become
President. At this distance it is I'M
possible to determine whether Sun Yat
Sen was compelled to accept Yuan Shi
kai, or whether he made fatal error
OF Judgment In generous desire TO
unite reformers in favor Of the Repub-
lie. The result, however, is one that
was foreseen by all who knew anything
about Yuan's career as a professional
patriot.
In every nation of Europe where i'm
perial rule prevails the Vaccinations of
Yuan Will meet with enthusiastic ap-
proval. Aside from their desire to stop
the growth OF Republican principles,
are eager TO keep China divided against
itself. They have two reasons for TAX
ing this attitude. First of all, they
desire TO exploit China and share the
trade among themselves. But the more
important reason lies in their fear OF
the yellow peril. A Chinese Repub-
lie hcralds united nation, and a united
China would be an immediate forerun-
ner of movement among Asiatics to
throw of all foreign commercial do
mination and in the end TO strike sue
cessive blows for vengeance against
those European powers that have so
ruthlessly insulted, tyrannized over and
robbed the peoples of Asia for CEN
turies.
The only great power in the world
that has sought to lend China helping
hand is the United States. We not only
returned great portion of the Boxer
indemnity TO government sorely in
need Of funds, but took the first ia
yorable opportunity TO recognize the
new Chinese Republic. While most of
us felt that the European powers would
be able to strangle this Republic in its
cradle, yet we believed that republican
traditions, the friendship which has
marked our relations with China and
the duty which we owed to all Repub-
hSs dS tHc greatest hepuOllc III tne
world, dictated that we should do every
thing possible TO make the world s
newest Republic success.
In the centuries 20 come the United
States probably will not regret its
present attitude toward China. We
have sought 10 make the Chinese peo-
pie our friends and the day is coming
when their friendship will be worth
while. The Republic may go down to
defeat and a dynasty may again rule
in China, but the light of liberty has
been let in upon a people who by ma
ture are one of the most democratic in
the world, and whether the day be near
or far. the time is coming when China
viii be one of the greatest world powers.
In that time Europe may well tremble,
and the great Republic on this side of
the Pacific ocean will have reason to
congratulate itself that in the day Of
China's trial it was the friend and
champion OF the Chinese people