The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-10
Stepping Backward From
Republic To Empire
American And EngIiShmen
Advisers In Strange Move

T1ODhluS 10 oOhONCu
here that the full program has been
mapped out for the return Of China
to monarchial government. The re-
public of China, scarce three and
one.half years old, has failed to meet
the governmental needs of the ORR
entails. There has been no conceal
ment of the movement to restore the
ancient monarchy, which has at least
the virtue of concentrated power to
meet the new situation which faces
China.
DR.. Goodnow is in complete conf.
dence with Yuan Shih-Kai. the presi-
dent of the Chinese rePublic. lie has
been the adviser of the president in
previous critical situations. When
DIR. Goodnow went to China early in
the summer, it was expected that big
developments might ensue. Now
word comes that another adviser was
also called in. He Is an Englishman,
Dr. George Il. Morrison. former
newspaper man and explorer. The
renown of these men and their great
friendly interest in China, as well as
Presiden Yuan's record. is such as to
inspire confidence in the new step in
the government of China.
DIR. Goodnow's views are well
known. He has maintained that the
. yellow men of the East are not fit to
govern themselves. This opinion he
arrived at by long study of govern.
ment and political science, and he had
a great opportunity to study the
Chinese situation two years ago when
he was legal adviser Of the Chinese
republic.
The decision to revive the empire
is not of mushroom growth. Those
who have watched the trend Of affairs
have predicted that the sacred throne
of the Manchus would be revived.
Yuan's gradual progression toward
monarchy was compared by them to
that of Napoleon. Always there was
in his favor the fact that such trained
troops as China had were loyal to
him. Foreigners had confidence in
his ability and safety. In every crisis
the people turned to him. The great
mass understood nothing of the warn
ings of Sun Vat Sen that Yuan would
become despotic. Less than n month
after Yuan had been elected presi-
dent for a term of five years, in 1913.
he expelled the opposition party
which had more than third of the
membership of the legislature. BE
fore the end of the year there was
talk of doing away with parliament
altogether.
Early in 1914, Yuan took two steps
tending strongly toward monarchy,
lie abolished the district councils and
restored the old worship of Heaven
and Confucius Yuan in the ceremon-
al robes hallowed by tho custom Of
1000 years, akng the place of the en-
peror as worshipper on behalf of the
state.
Last winter there began the en-
croachments of Japan, which power
made extraordinary demands on Chi.
ma. Although the Chinese escaped
the worst of hem, the humiliation was
ed that Yuan was to become presi-
dent for ten years, with the possibil-
ity of extension OF his term to life,
With the radical leaders mostly ban
ished, with many of them. after hav-
ing been called to Pekin for confer
ences, executed by Yuans orders,
ese, and obviously needing strong
central government, there were many
predictions OF late that II was only a
question OF time until Yuan would
supersede the ManchuS
According TO an American in close
touch with the situation the raising
un of Yuan as emperor is not due at
all to personal ageran lizement This
observer declares Yuan to be an un-
questioned patriot, man OF high in.
tegrity when he takes this new
STEP" says this American authority,
Ill is certain Yuan will not do ii with.
ont careful consideration aud with
out first taking counsel with the
ablest advisers whose services he can
command.
at is fair to assume that Yunns
recent experience with Japan, in con
nection with the demands on China
has occas!oned careful consideration
OF the form OF government best suited
no conserve and promote the inter
ests Of the Chinese people. The WORK
of establishing republican poles
had not proceeded far enough to make
the new government an efficient in
ot. Ia, 10.