The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-13
YUAN SHIH-K'AI SAYS
HE WON'T TAKE CROWN
Message to Chinese Legation Quotes Him as Declaring
He Has Done Nothing to Deserve the
Honor Offered to Him.

WARRINGTON. Dec. IA despatch
given out by the Chinese Legation to-
night seems 10 caet doubt on the re-
port that Yuan Shih-k'ai. who has been
President Of the Chinese Republic since
its foundation. In 1918. has consented
to accept the imperial crown.
The legation mad public the essen
tial points in the Presidential mandate
issued by Yuan Shih-k'ai yesterday.
This decree makes II clear that China
has reverted to a monarchical form OF
government. but Il represents Yuan
Shih-k'ai as protesting against having
the row thrust upon him and plead
Ing that somebody else be selected ITO
ascend the throne"
here indicates that he declined the
honor. but consented to continue to
serve an President until some ono else
was named ~ Emperor.
1t was acknowledged at the legation
that this seemed to conflict with the
press reports from Pekin. which in
dicated hat Yuan declined the honor
1t hrst, but later accepted. n decree
givsn out hero was dated yesterday and
was sent from Pekin on December IL.
The decree gives this communication
from the State Council to Yuan Shih.
k'ai:
This council as general representa-
tive entrusted by the citizens representa-
tive convention to-day held a meeting
TO examine the result of the national
election. This council found that there
are 1898 national citizens representa-
tives and there are 1.993 votes In favor
Of 4 constitutional monarchy. Thus the
will of the people has already decided
,,~N~ NN~Stt q, vn t.nn r,k., AND all thu
laws and ordinances with the exception
of those which are In conflict with this
form OF Government are still valid ana
from the dispatches I'M kilograms the
President has been unanimously re-
quested to be Emperor. and since there
have been general imperial household
laws In different periods the Presidential
election laws are. ipso facto. abrogated.
Herewith are transmitted citizens
various petitions beseeching you to as
csnd the throne and you are requested to
; act accordingly"
| Yuan Shih-k'ai himself says in the
decree:
81. the President. n that the
sovereignty OF the republic resides with
the people since the citizens repre-
sentatives' convention has unanimously
decided In favor of constitutional
monarchy there La left no more for me
TO say. but tho fact OF requesting me to
ascend the throne Is Indeed astonishing
At the beginning OF the republic I made
oath TO develop the republic TO the best
Of my ability. Now II I made myself
Emperor I would break my oath and
there Is no excuse on the point OF faith.
"My primary object. however. IL TO
a v the country and to rave the people.
and ! do not mind sacrificing myself for
the attainment OF this object, out In self
examination md I hav don't nothing
worthy Of recommendation. and I md
nothing to Justify me TO cast aside great
principles Of morality and faith. think
the citizens representatives who love me
will not force upon me the task which
would be difficult for me to execute.
Il hope that general representatives
OF the citizens representative conven-
tion will take careful consideration and
mature del.beration TO request somebody
else to ascend the throne. I, the Presi-
dent In the meantime. will IN the name
I have ut present n In exercise OF
existing duties n powers. still main
tain the existing conditions throughout
the whole country. The petition 10
herewith returned"