The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-22

A proclamation something like the
American Declaration of lndepend.
encs- has been drawn up by Chinese
rebels who are fighting Emperor Yuan
shi Kai. From copy received In
this country the following transla-
ton has been made:
We, the army of the punitive expe-
dition of the Chinese republic. here
by make. this public declaration:
When the misruie OF the MAnchu
regime had become apparent. we. the
people Of the nation, realfxtng the
chromosomes OF the struggle for ma.
tionai existence. and fearing the peril
Of losing our national sovereignty and
independence, arose four years ago In
a righteous revolution, which culmi-
mated III the establishment Of the re-
public In order that the union OF
the nation might be effected without
unnecessary bioodshed, we elected
Yuan shi-KAi to head the new gov
eminent, and, during the first two
years OF the republic the whole ma
ton looked eagerly forward TO him
for better government. and sthe pa
triotic leaders OF the country were
ready to sacrifice everything to CO.
operate with him-not to be sure,
that the national had any partially
for q single Individual. but sinaply
that our dying fatherland might be
saved. from ruin.
But Yuan Shi-Kai, who was thus
entrusted by the people with such
great and grave responsibilities, has
for four years done nothing to reform
the affairs and policies OF the nation
On the contrary, he has worked In
cessantly to further and strengthen
lxf- A. a. - ~
son and family. He has corruptly
| manipulated the parties, and ruthless
~ crushed the Parliament All OPP
position has been removed by every
despicable means and public opinion
has been either poisoned by bribery
or suppressed by violence. He has
mobilixed an army of flatterers and
corrupt partisans throughout the
country by means OF public spoils
and placed the few honest public
men practically under bondage and
imprisonment In the name OF empty
titles and honors.
Ever since his inauguration he has
contracted foreign loans amounting 10
over 20o.o0o.000 taels. the expendi-
ture of which has never boon, and
can never be. made stopped. he has
endeavored by every possible means
to fleece the people. in utter disre-
gard OF their misery and grievances.
And all this revenue thus raised has
been almost exclusively spent on brib-
ing his followers and on arming him
self against any possible expression
of Installation from the people.
No National Defense.
As to the affairs OF the nation. moth
ing has bssn done. In dealing with
foreign nations. he has made no ade-
quate plans for national defense. nor
has he taken measures for tho prepa-
ration. of the nation In the forthcom-
ing international economic competi-
ton. He has invited the contempt
numerous national humiliations Ir
his internal policy. he has completely
diwsgerded the interests of the peo-
pie. and -has been incompetent In
maintaining brder and Justice. He
| has arrested the progress of educa-
ton. and has led q movement of re-
actionisn. Industries have been mo-
nopolixed by The government only to
enrich the private treasury OF the cor
| rupt officials. Laws and ordinances
have been infinitely issued only to be
altered and repealed at his own will
and caprice. The people have be-
come 90 confused that they know not
what to follow; and consequently their
respect for law has been completely
undermined. As to public appoint
ments, sycophancy and servility are
regarded as virtues, and cruelty and
brutality are signs OF administrative
ability. The honest and courageous
ara deprived OF public office. and are
often subjected to assassin alton and
Imprisonment.
All this Ia seen by all who have
eyes. still the nation continued 20