The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-22
LEADING CHINESE FAVOR
REPUBLICAN RULE
Rebels Promugae Declaration Of Independence and Expose
Present Emperor, Who Was Elected First President As
Beinv Blind to Needs and Wishes of People Of Nation

be patient, knowing very well that
revolutions are often wastef1l and the
task of construction In not easy. we
have all hoped that, with the powers
of government centralized on one
person, and with the asxresssye ma"
Aions all budly occupied with their
own wars, we might at this most OPP
perfume time be able to devote the
energy and resources of the nation TO
the constructive work towards the
salvation of our national life.
Rut, alas! Yuan Shi-Kai In blind
to all the needs and Wishes OF the
nation, and Is bent upon the usurpa-
ton of the imperial throne. In ut
ter contradiction to his oath Of Of
flee, In complete violation OF the Con-
stitution, he has deceived the people
and the whole world. by bribery and
by threats, he has dictated his selfish
will to his followers. All courageous
sdmonitions have only assembled 10
deaf ears. and all public protests have
only served for bases of prosecution.
This covetous madness has even
brought about the most humiiia,ing
warnings from the allied powers. In
timating autonomous action and In
PREVENTION by force. Who 10 IL that
has caused this great infaSny to be-
fall this nation7
Charges Treason.
still he does not repent II In high
ly possible that in order to crafty
his selfish ambitions he may either
betrey his country to her enemies, or
invite armed Intervention by foreign
powers. Either the one or the other
will be sufficient to sink our father
land into the abyss of destruction.
Have we forgotten the command Of
our Great Sage that 1t Ia the duty of
every man to punish the crime Of a
traitor7 And now the treason pro-
ceeds from the peoples delegated
chief executive. who has betrayed the
peoples trust and who Is likely to be-
tray the nations independence II
such a grave offenss should pass un-
punished. how could we ever convince
the world that there is still manhood
left in China,
We. the leaders OF the punitive ex-
petition, who have either held posi-
lions Of importance or served az gov
ernors of provinces, are not seeking
any personal honors, nor are we en-
tertaining any personal ill-will against
a former colleague. We only con-
slider that the peril OF national ruin
Is imminent and the cause OF all in
ternal disfntegration and external en-
croachment Ia properly attributed to
a single head. We have more than
once urged eur snest- earnest admoni-
tons against this precipitous step. hut
he has persisted in his ambitious and
usurpations course. We, therefore, in
accordance with the Constitution IF
the Republic. now proclaim his crime
to the world and undertake to bring
him and his accomplices TO justice.
att - ri 4z
ed ourselves TO these four principles:
% To supper. with the co-opera-
ton of the whole nation. the republi-
can form Of government. and avert
forever the restoration to a monarchy
(2) To clearly define the rights and
powers of the central and provincial
governments, respectively. in order to
facilitate the free development OF po-
tentialities OF the provinces
go To establish. not in name, but
In reality, a constitutional government;
and
80 To promote and strengthen
with sincerity and goodwill our inter-
national friendship. In order to ele-
waite China's position in the family OF
nations.
These four principles We shall en-
deavor TO realize in our efforts to Sc
SuFo tHU piosnatiS ol the pSoPiS anu
the help of the gods. AZ to success
and failure. they are beyond our con-
sideration.' We only seek to do what
our conscience demands. and follow
where righteousness leads God be
with US, and we shall succeed.
TONG K1-YAO,
Military Governor of Yunnan.
ZEN KO-CHEN,
Civil Governor OF yunnan
LILO HSrEN-SHIS.
Commander Kweichow ARMY.