The Washington herald., 1916-02-25

Does Yuan desire more power
Yuan Shih-ksi possesses at present
practically unlimited power. While en-
joying the dignity and prestige Of the
first republican president in Asia. he
yields what amounts 70 the scepter OF a
monarchy. His word is law in the land,
his orders are obeyed alike by peasants
and by high officials from Chins's frozen
north to her semi-tropicsI southland.
Does he desire augmented dignity?
Can there be any dignity greater than
that Of being the first president Of the
first republic in Asia? He has told US
himself that-h IL quite satisfied with
that most honorable position.
Does he desire TO provide for the fu-
ture of his children?
Yuan Shih-kai knows that royal FAINT
lies, after the lapse OF a generation or
SO, very often become plunged into seri-
Gus personal perils In an interview
which he gave some time ago to the
military governor OF Kisngsu CMarshal
Feng Kwo-chsngl. Yuan himself directed
attention TO this fact. and he declared
that he did not want to be made emperor
because he had no desire TO bequesth the
periods Of thrones TO his children and
grand children.
"Scrrice" IL His WHtchword.
such being the case. why has Yuan
accepted the offer OF a crown?
THE answer is very simple. He de-
sires to serve his country, and to save IL
from disturbances. from ruinstion. which
he knows will assuredly follow Il he
should now decline the throne, or IL he
should pass away suddenly ere laying
the solid foundation in progressive gov
eminent necessary in China II the preser-
walton OF order and the assurance OF
uplift are TO be guaranteed. To Yuan
Shih-kai service is wstchwoTd: in
mum erous state documents has he made
emphatic reference 10 that term as en-
bodying his life's objective. II is no eN-
aggeration to say that from the prime OF
manhood onward TO the present time
Yuan has placed public service above
and beyond everything else.
Yuan Shfh-kai Is today the strongest
man in China; II is impossible to find any
other person whose renown remotely ap-
prosches that OF his II is feeling
shared generally among both Chinese
and foreigners that probably no man but
Yuan Shih-kai will be able TO raise China
to the political Importance in the world
which the possession OF vast potential
productive territory, an immense popu-
lation. natal intelligence and habits OF
labor fortified through many ages entitle
her TO anticipate. Conscious OF his great
mission, Yuan also knows that unless a
strong government is founded, and al
once so that internal and external
storms may be safely westhered. the
country is liable to suffer chaos and civil
war much worse than came about with
the revolution OF 1911 Such chaos such
disturbance, would invite foreign inter
vention, and might result in the partition
OF China.
so Yuan Shih-ksi realizes that he
must place in front Of his own personal
preferences or predictions the prsCti-
cal interests of hundreds of millions Of
toilers who need and ask for peace. for
protection OF their lives and security for
the fruits OF their labor. In consentinE
to ascend the throne, Yuan plans 70
found a government which will be able
to take care OF itself TO accord pTotec-
ton to the people of China In the pur-
suance Of their peaceful vocations
1T is my conviction that IL those for
eisners who criticise and deride Yuan
and endesvor to throw discredit upon his
intentions would only take the trouble
to scQuaint themselves with the true con-
ditions in China. or would study these
conditions on the spot. they would very
Materially alter their views. They
would be compelled by force Of facts Il
agree with the Chinese state council tina,
the change in kuoti decided upon by the
referendum Is, after all, the best thing
for China, for foreign interests in China
particularly.
Natural Wish for Americans.
"Of course, it is not surprising that
some OF our American editors do not
view with delight the establishment OF a
constitutional monarchy in China. This
is natural. The republican spirit is as
the breath OF life Of the American de-
mocrscy. And, living under the best re-
public in the world. IL is very natural
that Americans should hope that China
might maintain her republic. Reduced
to its essence. however, Is not this mere
sentiment? And is government, and espe-
cially good government. merely a matter
of sentiment? Must there not be a due
regard for the practical problems in