South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-09-14
CHINESE REPUBLIC
ON SOUND BASIS
Foreign Loans Are Needed Only
For the Development of
Her Industries.

The reports from Picking that Pres't
Yuan Shih-k'a is seriously consider
ing the ACCESSIBILITY of making him
self emperor, and that Mr.. Frank ].
Goodnow, president of Johns Hop
kins university, the adviser on con-
stitutional questions, has recommends
ed this change, need serious consider
alton Definite information from the
foreign office in Picking says that such
was DR. Goodnow's general opinion
on a purely theoretical question. or
course, there is a great difference be-
tween a general theoretical question
and advice to be followed in q specific
case.
When it was evident that the Man
chu dynasty must fall, l was at first
personally inclined to the opinion, as
were 1 think, a majority of non
Chinese, that probably the best plan
for China would be the esta blishment
of a new Chinese dynasty, with pos
sibly a descendant of COnfuctus or of
one of the earlier Chinese dynasties
on the throne. and with Yuan Shin
opinion was based on the fact, as DR..
Goodnow says, that China had been
an empire for centuries.
When, however, the sentiment rap
idly developed for the establishment
Of a republic and it became evident
that nothing else would satisfy the
revolutionary element, which seemed
to include a large majority not only
of the young men who had been edu-
Gated abroad, but also gOodly group
of the ablest, most progressive officials
and the influential, conservative,
sound business men, that in itself put
a different aspect on the question.
There is little doubt as TO the facts.
The feelings of these conservative peo-
pie regarding their present govern
ment seem to be based largely on two
judgments: First, one of Well-found-
ed distrust of the empire and Of the
methods employed by the officials I'M
der it, especially the system of self
seeking and graft; the other. conf
dence in Yuan Shih-k'ai as a man who
is trying to eradicate graft, to work
in the interests of the country as
whole. and TO give heed to the wishes
and judgment of the progressive yet
thoughtful people in the republic.
I well remember an experience of
my own concerning the distrust of the
empire / was attempting to gather
information from Chinese bankers
and business men, in order to fOrmu-
late some general plan for central
bank for China. At the time | was
making this investigation a high gov
eminent official was travelling through
China meeting representatives of the
cham bers of commerce and other
capitalists and attemnting to get them
to subscribe for a government bank
to be managed by government off,
Gals. He secured not one. dollar OF
subscriptions.
The Chinese capitalists, bankers and
merchants in different parts of China
told me they would not subscribe one
dollar for a bank TO be manag ed by
officials. and they could not and would
not cooperate personally with gov
eminent officiale
Although Yuan Shih-k'ai has found
it necessary 10 suppress the ultra
radicals and to take measures loOkine
towards the consolidation of the new
republic. he has won the confidence
of these conservative Chinese business
men by discOuraglng graft even by
the stern process Of executing high
officials convicted OF corruption. and
hv making it clear that he is keepinA
the interests Of the people well in
hand. In the China Of the present
generation the conception OF empire
stands for oppression. graft, corrup-
ton, dislOyalty TO the people. The
republic. As now administered, stands
for the interests ~ China as a whole
with an increasing measure OF hon
esty and efficiency
Moreover IL should not be forgot
ten that even the radical revolution
sts and their supporters in America
who were ready TO oppose Yuan Shin