Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-09-01
PRESIDENT YUAN
SOUNDS WARNING
Impressive Plea for United Action
Against Foreign Aggression
Causes Much Discussion.
GRATING OFFICIALS SCORED

GhAf IlNU UFE1N4hAo oOOhGO
CCorrespondence Of the Associated Prcss)
PEKlNG, July 31.-Prestdent Yuan
Shi-Kai uttered at a recent cabinet
meeting an Impressive plea for united
action in China, which made a deep
impression upon Chinese officials.
Its publication in English today
caused much discussion among for
eigners. The Picking Gazette charac.
terizes the address as "couched in the
usual language OF over-emphasis,
but makes no attempt TO discount the
seriousness OF the dishonesty and in
efficiency OF Chinese officials which
the president denounced as a great
menace to the republic at a time
when outside pressure is threatening.
Our sussrainty In southern Manchuria
has gradually gone into the hands of for
eignsrs," said the president The for
eign aggressor has come .. their doors,
but our people are stin dsllying in the
midst OF a calamity. As nm advanced
in age and have received the sacred and
weighty trust from the Using dynasty.
how can l let the country go TO ruin
when / arm assuming the duties OF chief
executive OF the republio7 ny ell means.
I must save the country. To avert the
impending disaster r. the sacred duty
which lies upon the shoulders Of every
one of US"
President Yuan Shi-Kai Is less than 90
years old and In the best OF health, con-
sequently his alluEion TO his old age IL
largely figuratlve.
Heavenly Duty of strong.
Sorrow comes into my heart whenever
l review our present situation" were the
opening words Of the presidents appeal
20 the cabinet. 1T seems 10 me that the
general policy OF the nations OF the world
is TO conquer weak country. to invade
the country which has forfeited the con-
fldence Of tho other nations. 10 force
order upon the country which In In n
state OF chaos. and TO take over by force
the country which IL on the verge os
ruin. In other words. as many foreigners
claim. II iB the heavenly duty for the
strong and civilized nation 20 annex and
control a nation which IL barbarous or
semi-clvilized.
Our country does not manifest any sign
OF instability. chaos. or the lack OF con-
unlikely that any nation. for the present.
VIII invade or insult our country. But
when we think OF the neglect Of discipline
by our soldiers the irregularities In adj
mlnistrative affairs, the calamities of
floods and drought throughout the prov
inces. the seifishness OF some officials
and the lack Of public spirit among the
people, we cannot help realizing the fact
that we are enjoying ourselves while re-
posing on a bed OF straw with a kindline
fire beneath Il. How many of us know
the strength OF our nation. the tendencies
OF our people and the general conditions
Of the world7 What portion OF our
country has been free from the disturb
ance and molestation OF the bandit and
outlaws. and what percentage Of the Of
riclals are enthusiastic and strictly carry
ne out their dutyf"
Local Officials Corrupt.
After deploring what he regarded as the
many shortcomings OF China, the presi
don't continued:
Some persons say that on account Of
our vast country and population, the de-
structi0n OF our country by an alien PEG
pie Is a matter OF impossibility. Lool
at Korea. the area OF which is not nuei
smaller than Japan. Some Japanes'
papers have stated OF late that although
China has changed the monarchy into I
republican form OF government. It's In
ternai affairs are just as deplorable nov
as ia the late dynasty and that briber!
and gambling among officials still pre-
walls.
During the chino-Japanese war an'
the boxer trouble our people were great.
stirred up and determined 10 lie OF
straws and taste bitterness TO prepar
themselves for future emergencies. Blu
when the anxious time was once passes
they forgot everything. II IL worth Will
10 note that when the imperial govern
ment was gone. Il was the dynasty tina
passed away and not the ec.stry. Tn
new method OF destroying q countr
nowadays n not only 10 overthrow III
government. but also TO destroy the Ian
suage OF the people and the very rae
Of the nation.
Poland L. Example.
I'VE cannot be ignorant OF the histor
Of Poland During the crisis OF the re
cent Cnino-Japanese negotiations Il wa
a good sign that our people were great
awakened by the threatened calamity
should they again quickly forget the In
dignity the country received the create
calamity Of the country Is bound I
come"
President Yuan Shi Kai concluded hi
appeal with this warning;
Now the situation OF our country
comparable TO a small boat on a wi
sea. Il Is not the sine for us 10 purs'
cur pleasures ana let things drift into u
course OF destruction. Above all do NJ
forget the national disgrace OF May
Take off your easy garment and ca
away your habitual laEiness and so ahes
with ali your effort TO avert the fate