The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-08-28
CHINA'S PRESIDENT
MAY WEAR CROWN
Yuan Shin Kali Thinking Of Pro-
claiming Himself Emperor.
GOODNOW ENDORSES PLAN.

Government Cites Reasons Why IL ls
Better to Have a Monarchy In That
CONTEMPLATION Became a Republic
In 1e12-News Creates Sensation.
The project of proclaiming himself
emperor is now being discussed by
Yuan Shih Kai, president of the Chi
republic, with his immediate sup
porters and Professor Frank Johnson
Goodnow of Johns Hopkins university,
legal adviser to the Chinese govern
ment, who Is spending the summer in
Picking.
Professor Goodnow, who secured the
confidence of Yuan Shih Kai by advice
given during former critical times, has
been consulted on this question since
his arrival in Picking not long & and
il is learned that he approves the prof.
ect-
Says Conditions Differ.
The news became public by the pub
lication Of accounts of the formation
by several prominent men of an asso-
citation for the purpose of discussing
whether a monarchy is not the better
form of government for China. The
published article telling of the forma-
ton of the society quotes Professor
Goodnow as declaring that for China a
monarchy is a better form OF govern
ment than a republic and that "condi-
tons are different in China and Amer
lea, and 1t is impossible to transplant
a system from one country to another"
lit was learned from one of Yuan Shin
Kai's immediate supporters that If the
project proved feasible the plan is to
establish the monarchy within two
years.
Goodnow Invited to Picking.
1t is stated that Professor Goodnow
was asked to come 10 Picking and that
soon after his arrival Yuan Shih kai
consulted with him on the question Of
a permanent constitution and preached
the question of a monarchy. The ar
guments of Yuan's supporters, it is de-
clared. persuaded Professor Goodnow
that a monarchy should be established
If the people would accept it, and Pro
fessor Goodnow drafted a document
for Yuan, advising him on the method
of establishing a monarchy.
In the announcement of the project,
which is made to appear as coming
from a group of leading citizens, Pro
fessor Goodnow Is quoted extensively
as a great authority advocating the ne
cessity for a monarchy. This pro
nouncement says:
AS Professor Goodnow Is a citizen
of a republic. he is more competent
TO make such n statement than Others
Professor Goodnow said he had made
no blanket statement that a monarchy
was better than a republic, but said
that under certain conditions such as
apply in China he believes a monarchy
would be better.
Danger of Chaos is Cited.
The foremost arguments of the mon.
archists is the danger of chaos reign.
ing as in Mexico at Yuan Shih Kai's
death. The succession of Vic Presi
dent l. Yuan Yang, who was the ma
tons hero in the anti Manehu reyolu
ton. but who has been a prisoner on
an island In the Winter palace grounds
the past two years, would. it is de
clared, be unsatisfactory TO some OF
Yuan Shih Kais immediate supporters
because 1t is asserted they would bt
unable to control him.
Yuan Shih Kai's eldest son Is a par
tial invalid owing to an injury to hi
head sustained In being thrown from
his horse, while his other sons are un
important youths.
1t is believed that the project viii b.
consummated more or less speedil,
unless dangerous objection is display
ed throughout the country. which |
considered unlikely because the pres
is largely controlled by the govern
ment and the people apparently arr
willing to accept any government
which will give them a period of peace
Became Republic In 1912.
China became a republic Feb. IL
1912, upon the abdication of tn
Emperor Kwang Seu. following tn
revolution Of the previous year. A pro
v%isional constitution, formulated by the
revolutionary government of Marking
was accepted and under this a pro
visional parliament met in Picking Apri
8, 1913.
A permanent constitution was draft
ed and the articles dealing with til,
election and term OF office of presiden
and vice president were passed b.
parliament. Under these Yuan Shi
kai. Oct. G, was elected president 70