THE DICTATOR OF CHINA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14916, 14 March 1914, Page 12

THE DICTATOR OF CHINA.

YtA-N'S POLITICAL CREED.

FUTURE OF THE REPUBLIC

(FROM OtTt OWN - CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, January 30

Yuan Shih-kai, President of the Chinese Republic, addressed recently to his new Council a remarkable speech, in which he frankly expressed his opinions and revealed his policy. Ho uttered a warning of the fate which he anticipated if China did not put her house in order.

"When our finances aro under alien supervision, and our territories apportioned into spheres of influence, the fate of Annain and Korea will bo upon us, and it will bo too lato for repentance Thus the Provisional Constitution has impeded and embarrassed us in every direction. When the tJovernment was transferred north from Nar>king, amendments wero suggested in that instrument, but we wero accused of preparing the ground for a second revolution. It did not thou occur to mc to guess what was afoot, but today 1 reaiLso that no fate could bo too severe a penalty lor the rebels. . . . "Finally, theories of the schools arc not a sufficient foundation for national prosperity; men and money are r«<quired in conjunction beforo results can bo achieved. It depends on you, gentlemen, to display your patriotism, .and in your zeal for the salvation of the country to sacrifice everything in furthering *the cause of The future of China rests with you." After pointing out that the Republic had existed for two veal's, Yuan lectured them on Liberty and Patriotism.

"Nowadays the word 'equality' is in all men's mouths, but equality only moans that all men are equal in the Gi£at of the Law. It does not imply that distinctions of rank are to be obliterated and that each man may bo a ruler unto himself in negation of law. . . 'Liberty' is another beautiful modern expression, but it is limited to tho bounds of the law, within which all men are free. Such a thing as unrestricted liberty does not exist. . . Again, 'Republic' is an elegant expression, but what foreigners understand by the term is—not that tho wholo nation must needs interfere in tho conduct of government. What possible result savo in direct confusion could ensue from such interference? As to the term 'popular rights' it comprises the right of representation and the suffrage, besides the supreme privilege of electing tho President; it must not be understood to include the conduct of tho Administration. "Nowadays men talk glibly of patriotism, but this word has a significance of its own. It does not follow that a patriot is endowed with qualities to govern a nation, nor that he possesses tho requisite measure of ability. If we entrust the government to a man simply on the score of his patriotic zeaf, without enquiring into his capacity, the almost inevitable consequences will bo national ruin." TURBULENT DEMAGOGUES. Yuan continued:—"Tho term 'national will' only possesses when it represents the will of the majority of law-abiding citizens. The one desire of law-abiding citizens is to pursue their respective avocations in peace and quietness. lam absolutely certain that they have no sympathy with thac minority of turbulent demagogues who only delight in making mischief. So, too, with public opinion, which can only be worth consideration when broad based upon the expressed views of that law-abiding majority. Who would ever shape his course after the dictates of a few turbulent demagogues who indulge in vociferation and opprobrious sepithets? Such fellows make uso of catchwords like 'democracy' or a 'second and third revolution.' in tho base endeavour to possess themselves of others' wealth while they repair overseas with their gains and seek shelter under the' segis of the foreigner. Such men aje nothing but a scourge, and differ in. no degree from brigands and house-breakers. In their mouths government by the people implies government by evil-doers, and how should a nation governed by evil-doers find a foothold in the world of to-day P Of late no province has heard more about Republican principles than Kiangsi, nor more about liberty and equality than Canton; in fact, these two provinces have been nothing less than an arena upon which the rebels could practise their_ experimental theories. I wonder how" my fellow-countrymen in those provinces relish being made an experiment of? I am perfectly certain that one and all call down curses and execrations upon the heads of those specious rogues, those blackmailing deceivers, who exacted tho uttermost farthing and fled with their booty!" In conclusion, tho President related his experiences as a Reformer:—"T have been initiating reforms for many a long day; it was I who abolished the old examination system, and I who founded modern colleges. Durinc my tenure of the Vicerovalty of Chili I promoted the independence of the Judicature with my utmost strength; :f success was not achieved it was due to the lack of suitable men and to the handicap of insufficiency of funds. It fs surely hopeless to anticipato success in any enterprise unless men and money are available for your needs. For this reason I am unablo to regard the present situation with other than the mo«t profound pessimism. Take, for example, our financial nosition: our arrears to foreign nations amount to some fifteen millions, and the recent rebellion has cost us another three millions. Only a very briof interval divides us from bankruptcy. We in the Government were reduced to the mort desperate shifts to make ends meet, and put forward cr upmost endeavours; meantime th« in its lavish rofrord for the letter of the law, carrTv? o'-no?itiV n to our action to an absurd climax."