Grand Forks daily herald., 1915-12-10

Peking, Dec. Correspondence
Of the Associated Press. .)-Peking
was stunned by the action OF Japan.
England and Russia in requesting that
there be a postponement Of the re-es-
tablishment OF the, monarchy. While
the Chinese officials h4ve been .some-
what apprehensive' ssseo the attitude
of the foreign powers towards the
proposed change in tho Chinese gov
ernment. they were hopeful that no
actual obstruction would be offered
by the nations with. interests in the
far east. Until three days ago there
was Arm belief that China could
abandon the republic without outside
interference and later on could get the
recognition for the new government
from the European powers and the
United States.
The failure Of France to participate
In the suggestion of the postponement
Of the imperial movement has created
much discussion. The French minis
ter, Mr.. Comfy, says he was without
instructions from his home govern
ment. Europeans are also comment
ing much on the failure OF the United
States to participate.
Rest More Easily.
Naturally the Chinese officials take
some comfort In the fact that only
Russia and England supported Japan.
However, the feeling is general in Pc
king that Japan's success in getting
the support of England and Russia
makes her pre-eminent in far eastern
affairs.
The Peking Gazette, which has
mildly opposed the abandonment Of
the republic from the time Of its dis
cussion, says Of the representations
MT. Choate, the Japanese charge de
anaires, made to the Chinese minister
Of foreign affairs with the concur
renee OF the Russian and British min
listers:
1T would be at once idle and dam
gerous to disguise the meaning and
while we have no desire to claim % any
special gift of foresight. 1t does not
seem improper that we should recall
the fact that the probability of this
precise development Of the situation
has been indicated not once but re-
peatedly in our columns. Except to
those who are too learned in the
hoary statecraft of this country, the
entire sequence Of events has been
clear. Directly one realizes or rather
remembers that the Independence and
integrity Of China is guaranteed not
by the power Of Chinese arms but by
the strength Of friendly powers, the
present weakness Of the international
system In which China finds a place
- sovereign country IL revealed. And
the longer the war Is fought on, the
weaker that International structure
those who think of China in terms Of
Mandarin Thought can fail to realize
that the rule of safety and security
for this country Is to leave untouched
the things that hold us in our pe-
euliar place. In the, worlds political
orbit 1t y because the momentous
chanEe-which seemS easy only to
men whose mind Is ruled by non-mod-
ern conceptions Of government
that the same mine reads in it q hor-
oscope of evil things.
But the moment calls tor the coun-
sci OF all Chinese who, whatever the
exasperating rerors Of their rules may
be, must remember that this land is
now nations patrimony and possess
sion. Confronted az tho country is
with 2 possible peril. It is to be hoped
that there will be no. false one to as
sist the developmentfof~ the danger.
And let US hope that the executive
Will now read ariEht, the great signs
OF our destiny, which - because We
are part Of the world that lies beyond
the confines OF the seas - IL inspired
by the same spirit that hath shapen-
cd the great countries where the
words OF Lincoln are common but
rare inspiration: That this nation, un-
der God, shall have q new birth OF
freedom; and that government of the
people, by the people, and for the peo-
pie shall not perish from the earth. -
News Gives Account.
The PekinE Daily News, which ia
seenrally recognized a. q Government
orsan, gives a brief news account Of
the Joint action Of Japan. Russia and
England. but offers no editorial COM
ment. In its columns devoted to cor
respondence 1t prints the following
letter which is TYPICAL perhaps. Of the