Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-31
Efforts to Have 1t Oppose
Abandonment of Republic
Meet With Failure.
ALLIES FEAR SITUATION
IN EAST MAY BE CHANGED
Germany Charged With Fomenting
Chinese Troubles to Prevent Ship
ment of Munitions by Japan.

| Taking the position Of neutral but in
| terested observer, the United States
government will not make known it's
attitude toward the proposal to re-es-
ablish a monarchial form of govern
ment in China Conferences of -ambas-
sadors from Great Britain, Russia and
Japan accredited to the Washington gov
eminent, with the American State De-
partment. held in an attempt to have
the United States take stand against
the proposed monarchy, have failed of
their purpose.
The United States has taken the stand
that it cannot, with propriety. express
an opinion on the internal concerns OF
a sovereign state, and that the Chinese
should be left free to work out the prob
lem, despite the fact that the United
States was the first government to rec
ognize China and assume diplomatic re-
latlons when It became a republic fol-
lowing the fall of the Manchu dynasty.
1t was represented to the State De-
partment by the governments represent
ed In the conference that The question
involved a possible upset of the political
equil brium OF the far east. since rev
olution was certain to follow such
change. Any CONFUSION in China, it was
pc .nted out. in view of the disturbed po-
litical conditions of the world, might
prove embarrassing
May Give Advice Later.
The fact that the American govern
ment had lent it's support to the republic
when it was created, being the first to
extend recognition, was relied upon by
the powers as likely to influence the
United States to interest itself In the
States would not interfere at this time,
its attitude does not preclude the pos
sibility that if the Chinese government
itself asks for American advice it would
be given.
AS a matter of fact, official senti-
ment has not crystallized definitely
here as to the merits of the change. In
some quarters close to the administra-
ton the view is held that decision
can be postponed with no disadvantage
to China, but the opinion also is held
that monarchial form of government
with a liberal parliamentary system
would aid in the development of ma
tional unity in China.
That the subject is likely to develop
more Importance as the November date
for the assem- bling of the citizens con-
yention in China approaches is evident
from the efforts being made by the
allies to persuade President Yuan Shi
Kai to issue decree postponing a de-
cision of the question indefinitely.
Attitude Of France.
In allied quarters here it Is denied
that France is unsympathetic with
Great Britain. Russia and Japan in the
mo<~ment to prevent change of gov
eminent in China. The impression arose
because the French minister at Peking
did not join the British, Russian and
Japanese ENJOYS in their recent repre-
sensations on the subject to the Chinese
foreign Office
The theory was advanced among dip
lomats representing the allies here that
CHINA Is being Influenced Indirectly by
Germany in the hope that the political
situation in the far east will be again
disturbed and Japan's attention con-
centrated on a possible revolutionary
outburst In China with the resultant
suspension of ammunition shipments
from Japan to Russia. Russian armies
felt II severely when the Japanese
Chinese negotiation. were at critical
state last winter and Japan was hoard
ing her war munitions against emer-
gencies.
There is nothing to indicate Ger
nany's attitude teEard the change of
government in China. So far as known
there has been no conversation on the
subject with the German amba ssador
and officials not only are unadvised as
to what the views of the Berlin gov
eminent might be, but they are not
likely to inquire, as the United States
government is disposed to avoid any
ENHANCEMENT in the controversy