Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-14
OPPOSITION AROUSED
THROUGHOUT REPUBLIC
Yuan Shi Kai's Plan to Revert to
Monarchial Government Threatens
Serious Trouble.
1T MAY LEAD TO DISORDER
Foreign Powers Are Criticizing Him
for Plotting at This Crucial Time
In Worlds History-Chinese Stu
dents Bitter Toward Goodnow.

TIEN-TSIN, CHINA, October 10
Promoters of the Society for the Pres
ervation OF Peace, the organization
which is cndcavoring to re-establish
the monarchy, and Is generally con-
coded TO have the support of President
Yuan Shi-Kai and his administration,
have apparently stirred up an oppo-
sition quite different from what was
expected
The avowcd purpose of tho society
was to insure succession and prevent
disturbances. However. the papers
printed in foreign concessions almost
universally have attacked the move
ment as the possible creator OF imme-
date trouble if persisted In at this
time. DR.. c. l.. Morrison, the English
adviser of Yuan Shi-Kai. Is also wide
ly discussed as having taken the same
position and urged n discontinunnce OF
the attempt to restore the monarchy
at such crucial time in world his
tory.
President Yuan Shi-Kai Is said to be
extremely susceptible to foreign criti-
cism. and the general attack made on
the so-called peace society" by news
papers printed at various treaty ports
and by students is supposed to have
resulted in a temporary hating. at
least. of the monarchial movement
ATTENTION is FIXED
ON PRESENT GOVERNMENT
Instead of creating n desire for the
proposed change in government. the
effect of the monarchial movement up
n IN
focus attention upon the decidedly nom
republican character of the so-called
republic" and has subjected 1t TO
harsh criticism. 1t is generally pointed
out that there really are no elected
officers now in China, and the govern
ment is not what 1t pretends to be-.
The press offers no especial objection
to constitutional monarch. but points
out that such government would
merely be the same as the present with
the single difference that the first
Emperor-either Yuan Shi-kai or his
son-would have life tenure instead of
n ten-year term.
In discussing the peace society's
plan. the Tien-tsin Morning Times
says: The last few weeks seem to
have revealed the fact that foreign
opinion, generally. is not hostile to-
ward the monarchial movement. Many
foreigners share DIR. Goodnow's view
ton, monarchy would possess GER
| tain advantages over a republic Pro-
viding the change were accomplished
peaccably, and in such manner as
to avoid rejecting discredit upon the
President, ii Is probable that the powers
would regard the episode az purely
domestic matter in which they were
not called upon to Interfere.
Can the suggested change be made
without bloodshed, and without dis
crediting the chief executive? 1t be-
comes more and more doubtful as re-
vealed. There is not the slightest in
dication as yet of the widespread de-
President or that any one else should
ascend the imperial throne
The Society for the Prevention OF
Peace makes much of the fact that
provincial delegates are being sent to
Picking to participate in n discussion
of the pros and cons of the cnange In
the name OF the government-for it
would merely be n change OF name.
But il is pertinent to inquire who ap-
points these delegates, and what claim
they possess TO speak on behalf of
the provinces they are said to repre-
sent. In our opinion. the selection of
these delegates is an impudent i'm
posture financed by interested parties
for their own ends, and as remote from
really representative expression OF
PUBIC opinion as IL is possible 10 con-
ceive.
MANY provincial petitions have al
ready been faxed in the capital and
sent to the Council of State for con-
sideration. The latter is itself in no
way n representative body and has at
least had the sense to refrain from
considering these fictitious memorials
and to decline to discuss the proposal
for a change OF government. 1t could
not consistently take any other course.
Although II possesses no substantial
claim to be regarded as the national
Legislature. it poses as such, and rati-
fed the amended provisional constitu-
ton under which China is supposed to
be governed. Having done so. ii can
hardly be n party to any scheme for
overthrowing the republic or inducing
the President to violate his Inaugural
ton OATH"
MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS
BREACHES OF THE PEACE
Chinese newspapers arc filed with
letters criticiZing the present monar-
chial movement. j. l.. Jernigan, an
American attorney who has practiced
law in Shanghai for twenty years and
was formerly United States consul at
Yokohoma, contributes letter TO the
Shanghai Daily News, In which he de-
MED that the present government of
China possesses a single feature en-
fitting II 10 De callcu republic, ana
saws il is ridiculous TO enter into seri-
Gus discussion of proposed constitu
tional monarchy until the present gov
eminent shows some disposition to re-
spect n constitution.
Chinese students educated abroad
have been harsh In their criticism of
DR.. Goodnow's position. In letter to
the Shanghai Evening Mercury. X. S.
Koh says: 1--WE are perfectly aware
that the Chou An Huei tSociety for
the Preservation Of Peace) have on
their side n brilliant. or rather fairly
well-known advocate in the person of
Professor Goodnow, to say nothing OF
lesser satellites. The professor means
WELL no doubt-aS we'll to us as to
himself: and for his ofiiciousness we
owe him many precious thanks"
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