The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-02-03
CLASSIC FELLOW
IS REBEL LEADER

Gazette had attracted wide attention,
and 1t is generally regarded as a docu-
ment which will rank as classic In
revolutionary literature. 1t is a pro-
test against the proposed change in
government expressed 80 mildly, In
the howery language which appeals
to the Chinese mind, that it Is cher
ished even by men who do not ap-
prove OF the position Liang Chi-chao
has taken.
The text Of the translation follows:
For the kind perusal OF the great
president: A respectful reading Of
~ kind instructions reveals to me
your modesty and brotherly love
which you cherish for your humble
servant, who is 30 moved by your
heart-touching sympathy that he does
not know how to return your Kindness.
A desire then seized him to submit
his humble views for your wise con-
sideration; but he had been thinking
that he might fail to express what
he wishes to say If he were to do so
in set Of brief words, while on the
other hand he has no desire to
trouble the busy mind OF one on whose
shoulders fall myriads of affairs, with
views expressed in many words. Fur
thermore, what Chi-chao desires TO
say can be likened to the anxiety OF
one who, fearing that the heavens
may some day fall on him, strives to
ward off the catastrophe. II his words
should be misunderstood, it would
only increase his offense. Time and
again he essayed to write; but each
time he stopped short. Now he is
going south to visit his parents; and
looking at the palace gate from afar,
he realizes that he is leaving the cap
ital indefinitely; and the thought that
he has been protegc OF the great
president and that dangers long ahead
before the nation as well as his sense
OF duty and friendly obligations,
charge him with the responsibility of
saying something.
Problem Gone TO Far.
"The problem OF Kuo-to (the form
Of government appears TO have gone
too far for reconsideration: the posi-
ton is like unto man riding on the
back OF a wild tiger. Chi-chao there
fore at one moment thought he would
say no more about it. since added
comment thereon might make him all
the more open to suspicion. But a
sober study Of the general situation
and quiet consideration of the pos
sible future made him trcmblo like
an autumn leaf; for the more he
meditates, the more dangerous the
situation appears. 1t is true that the
minor trouble of foreign advice and
rebel plotting can be settled and
guarded against; but what Chi-chao
bitterly deplores is that the original
intention Of the great president to
devote his life and energy for the
interest OF the country-an intention
he had fulfilled during the last four
years-shall be difficult to explain to
the world in future. The trust OF the
world in the great president will
henceforth be withdrawn with the re-
suit that the foundation Of the country
shall be unsettled. DO the sages not
say In dealing with the people aim
at faithfulness? II faithfulness TO
promises be observed by those in au-
thority, then the people will naturally
surrender themselves. Once promise
is broken, It will be as hard to win
back the peoples trust as to ascend
the heavens. Several times have the
oaths been uttered; yet even before
the lips are dry. action hath falsified
the words of promise. In these cir
cumstances, how can one hope to send
forth his orders to the country in the
future, and expect them to be obeyed,
The people will say 'he started in
Righteousness but ended in self-seek-
ing: how can we trust our lives at his
hand, il he should choose to pursue
even further his love of self-enrich-
mcnt?' 1t is possible for Ch-chao
TO believe that the great president has
no desire to profit himself by the sac
riice of the country, but how can the
mass Of the people-who believe only
what they are told,-undcrstand what
Chi-chao may, perchance, believe?
viii OF the People.
"The great president sees no one
but those who are always near him;
and these are the people who have
tried TO win his favor and gain re-
wards by connecting the alleged unani-
nous petitions Of the whole country
urging his accession TO the throne.
In reality, however, the will of the
people is precisely the opposite, Even
the high officials in the capital talk
about the matter in n jeering and
sarcastic way AS to the tone Of the
Newspapers outside of Picking, the
same is better felt unmentioned And
as to the small people who crowd
the streets and the market place, they
are going about as il something unto
ward may happen at any moment. If a
kingdom can be maintained by mere
force. then the disturbances OF the
time of Chin Shi Hunag and Sui Yang
I'll could not have been successful. II,
on the other hand, it Is necessary to
secure the cooperation and the willing
submission Of the hearts Of the peo-
pie, then it is not time that our great
president bcthinks himself and boldly
take his own stand?
Some argue that to hesitate in the
middle OF a course after indulgng in
much pomp and pageantry at the be-
ginning will result in ridicnle and de-
ris!on and that the dignity Of the chief
executive will be lowered. But do they
even know whether the great presi-
dent has taken the least part in con-
nection with the affairs Of the last