Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-14
PEOPLE GUARDED
IN EXPRESSIONS
ABOUT MONARCHY
Effort to Ascertain From Chi
neSe Press Actual Attitude
Regarding Restoration De
veIopS but Little,
Associated Press correspondence.)

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence)
/ Shanghai, Dec 23.--Correspondents
of the Shanghai Times stationed in va
rions parts Of China were asked oy
the paper To write of the actual atti-
tude OF the public in various provinces
toward the monarchical restoration
far different from that indicated by
the government announcement OF an
unanimous vote in favor OF the
change.
The correspondent Of the Times al
Shaoshingfu. Chekian province, imme-
diately south of Shanghai, replied un-
der date of December 9 zone can
not but see that in local government
affairs things are slipping back to the
old style Local trade is being Killed
By the heavy excise duty imposed on
every conceivable article The old
official class and literati are coming
to the front again. In the law courts
corruption and bribery are as rampant
as ever they were. Temples are be-
ing repaired. and there seems to be
recrudcscence of superstitious prae'
tees which have been in allegiance
since the revolution Of 1911.
From Yuyao. in Chekiang province
the correspondent Of the Shanghai
Times wrote: There is considerable
feeling prevalent on the question Of
restoring the monarchy; but the PEG
pie express themselves very guardedly
| for 1t is generally believed that tbs
lcentral government is keeping Close
watch on things just now. The way
! the so-called election was managed
. I. a. n h
the lberality of the spirit which dom
mates the movement Being com
PEELED to approve the monarchy OF
oppose it, puts things in such way
that there was no choice left to any
one who had regard for consequences
When the men went to the provincial
capital to vote they found the same
cut-and- dried methods IN vogue The
delegates were all nominated and they
had to vote for one or the other
though they knew nothing whatever
about any of them OF course, il
would have been different If there had
been both pro and con delegates to
select from. But this was not the
case"
Sentiment Against Change.
The correspondent at Hangchow,
also in Chckiang province, wrote: so
far | have been able to find both
from inquiry and observation IN cas-
ual conversation there is no sentiment
in favor Of the change. The officials
favor IL from policy and because they
believe it inevitable sooner .or later.
but even among them I am sure the
real feeling is one of objection. Among
the masses there is an undercurrent
yi.f - ..lts
they arc afraid to voice II.
The Kinhwafu correspondent also
wrote from Chekian province as fol-
lows: For weeks ] have been asking
scholars, business men and others
meet. their opinion about the return
to the monarchical form Of govern
ment As yet | have not met one man
who speaks in favor of the change.
Many declare It is "A matter Of indif-
ference to them who rules, or what
form of government they have, 50
Hong as the government Is ut peace and
they can go on with their work.
have asked many if they think there
will be trouble if the change Is made.
They sigh and say there is certain 10
be- All seem convinced that the pres
ident will carry the monarchy through,
From Changing, in Kiansi prov
ince. correspondent wrote: Il have
talked with many Chinese officials OF
all classes. scholars, merchants and
foreigners, and have yet TO find one
who favors the change from the re-
public to the monarchy Some regard
it as the last chapter in the history of
China. and think if the change be
made China's national life and indie
pendence will have gone forever.
Some speak of the great service which
President Yuan Shi-kai has rendered
to China, but think that he has been
led astray on incapactated by age.
Some think he is ambitious for the
name Of the son Of heaven Others
say he wants the empire for his son.
Many think the change in the govern
ment will come inevitably, and there
fore feel they must submit. Some say
there will be rebellion, and that
blood will be shed to save the repub-
lie. but no one favors such step. All
say that 10 resist will bring a greater
calamity to China"
4 correspondent at Nanchang, in
northeast Kiangsi province, sent the
following report THE monarchical
though far from popular
Is generally expected to be successful,
by the people in these parts. The pres
cnee of well-armed soldiers in all our
strategic centers. makes a rising most
improbable Just now. But there is
marked and peculiar reticence on this
subject displayed by many that are
In Nanchang. the provin-
cial capital, there are some 5000
northern troops, and armed guards
and patrols are seen on every hand.
In kiukiang recently three men with
bombs were arrested and summarily