The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-12

is not given as absolutely official. but
II is in effect what Mr.. Tsao Yu-lin
said. The full summary made public
by the foreign office follows:
1.-THE Chinese reply to the friendly
advice offered by the Japanese. Brit
ish and Russian governments was
verbally delivered the other after
noon. 1t points out that the matter
Ii entirely China's internal affair, but
as the advice was given in friendly
manner. the Chinese government gives
full and detailed reply.
There has been for some time a
strong section of the people in favor
Of monarchy and more recently their
ranks have greatly increased. includ-
ing the most powerful and influential
men In the country and the undercur-
rent OF agitation for the change in
the form of government has daily
grown stronger. Tho Chinese govern
ment has always opposed the move
ment. But in the light of recent de-
velopments, II II were to resort to
forcible suppression not only would
the will Of the people be ignored. but
there would have been considerable
danger to peace and good order. Con-
scquently tho Chinese government has
had no other course but to the pro-
mulgate the bill passed by Ii Fa Yuan
to organize the Assembly OF Citizens
Representatives to determine this con-
stitutional question in accordance with
the wishes of the people.
ut will be remembered that the
president. on September 9, In a mes
sage to Ii En- Yuan. expressed the
opinion that the proposed change was
unsuitable to the circumstances, thus
officially stating his personal disap-
proval Of the change. Then after the
promulgation of tho law above stated.
he issued mandate on October 10,
stating that any hasty and rash
change was undesirable and admon-
ishing all superintendent of elections
to carefully observe the provisions OF
the law. instructions which were again
repeated in circular telegram on Oc-
tober II. This shows that there has
never been any intention OF bringing
about hasty change. That the mat
ter has had to DO referred to the de-
cision Of the people Is because, ac-
cording to the constitutional compact
Of the country, sovereignty is vested
in the people.
Danger to Lie.
The reasons for the general desire
OF change are that with China's i'm
mense area. the diversity in the five
races, and the present standard of ed
ucatlon Of the masses, the frequent
change at the head OF the state under
a republic will be fraught with great
danger not only to Chinese life and
property. but to foreign interests as
well. That this danger is not imag-
mary is shown by recent events in
other countries similarly situated. Fur
thermore, during the four years since
the establishment OF the republic, men
Of wealth have refrained from invest
ing their capital. business men make
no permanent plans. administrators
form no fixed policies and a general
feeling Of instability prevails. Such
are the peoples reasons.
"As n large majority of the people
in the country desire and expect the
change and as the question has been
referred to the peoples representatives
for decision. with political conditions
unsettled. trade at standstill, mems
minds expectant. II through the dis
semination Of false rumors of evil,
persons untoward events should re-
suit, not only would Chinese suffer
injury. but foreigners would also be
alarmed. So long therefore as the
constitutional question remains unset
tied. so long will there exist an ele-
ment of danger. Particularly is this
SO since at the time of the commu-
nication Of the advice, five provinces
have already. through the Citizens
representatives, declared for constitu-
tional monarchy. Tho hope and ex-
pectation Of the Chinese government
arc that foreigners resident in China
will pursue their business in security
and that the peace of the Far East
will be maintained.
when the discussion as to the form
OF government was at its height, the
Chinese government, apprehensivc of
danger, repeatedly telegraphed to the
provincial authorities to ask whether
they could absolutely maintain order.
The reply In each and every case was
that IL the will OF the people was not
ignored, they would be responsible for
the public order so that when the
change should be carried out no UNI
toward events would occur. No report
has been received OF any strong OPP