CHINA AND THE MONARCHY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11669, 8 April 1916, Page 8

CHINA AND THE MONARCHY.

Now and again a brief cablegram ' gives the world some indication of the I increasingly critical state of affairs in -China, but for a detailed story of the - political developments arising out of ambition to found a .dynasty, we are dependent chiefly upon f surveys of the position in tho ancient from Chinese leaders in America. On the Pacific Coast of the > United States interest is keener than elsewhere in the white world' in the ij'progress of events in China, and there f are a number of. eminent educated in America who are qualified to pve an intelligent account of affairs "of State in their country, an account 7 possibly biasseid in some respects, but " Valuable nono the less as reflecting the _ jummering feelings of discontent among i' the vast population over which Yuan-Bhih-kai has established himself as £ taonaroh in all but name. The forcing -of the monarchical issue has drawn a Ifairly sharp line of demarcation be--s:,tween the two great parties in the Em"pirs, and tho respective strengths of "She republican aad monarchical factions ;itre the test upon which Sim Fo, sou of celebrated 3>r Sun Yat Sen, fore--'inofb leader of the Chinese democracy i and first President of the Chinese Reopublic, and now in San-Francisco, bases -.'an interesting exposition of his coununsettled affairs.

speaking, it was explained 'si#. Suit Fo, the country is divided into Ijiortheni and southern factions. 111 ifta northern portion,' Yuan-Shih-kai 'iiias the greatest strength, while tlis„ .southern provinces are almost universally in favour of the republican form ••."(jtf government. " Yuan-Shih-kai," he "3aid, '' finds his chief support among ! old Manchu official class, corrupt naai<s reactionary, and also among the £ jmrely military class. Some of the lit;|terati, the conservative. scholars, who ;~are constitutionally oppo99d to anything new, anything Western, favour 'the monarchical regime. But the great -•masses, the business men, those who travelled, the students, who form [A much larger body than is generally _jjnpposed, all who have in any way and any degree come in contact with (•sWestern ways and ideals, are solidly f&nd vehemently for the republic." In jfaot, he 6aid, Yuan-Sliih-kai did not

me monarcnicai regime. x»ui> •masses, the business men, those who travelled, the students, who form [ft much larger body than is generally _jjnpposed, all who have in any way and any degree come in contact with (•sWestern ways and ideals, are solidly f&nd vehemently for the republic." In jfaot, he 6aid, did not sfuily trust oven his northern army. To Lxhis it may be added that a recent cablegram from China mado mention the opposition of a great Manchu J "jeader to tho dictator's monarchical 'leanings.

■ it is quite-possible that jj, great war *nsue. oyer this issue, and if it does isolations of north and

south will bo arrayed against each other. The northern provinces, fivo in number, where tho bulk of the army which supports Yuan-Shih-kai is situated, and from which he derives most of his hold upon the dictatorship, have approximately 135,000,000 people. Tlie southern provinces, the stronghold of tho Republican forces, contain approximately 300,000,000 inhabitants. Tho strong military forces in the south form the greater portions of tho army, and it is considered impossible that it can bo controlled by a monarchical ruler. A significant episodo of a fow weeks ago wns the announcement that an influential military leader, General Tuan Chi Jui, who for almost twenty years had been a strong champion of Yuan-Shi-kai, and who was until recently Minister of War, had definitely espoused the cause of the republic. Another general who has seceded from Yuan is Fung lvuo Chang, who was commanding officer of Nanking. These two new opponents of the dictator were described by Sun Fo as the most influential military/ loaders in China, and their support had been considered 1 indispensable to the stability of the Government which Yuan-Shi-kai and his imperalist followers seek to establish.

Another factor which ultimately will operate against the monarchist head and his party is the attitude of the Japanese. Whatever course tho Tokio Government may pursuo, it is considered that the Japanese people as a whole are thoroughly in sympathy with tho Chinese in their effort to realise their political freedom. Setting ah these considerations in the scales, it seems as if the vaulting ambition of Yuan-Shi-kai is likely to overleap itself and that sooner or later he will meet the fate that awaits the overarrogant and grasping dictator, whether his sphere be in east- dr west. All the indications are that his abdication alone will save him from the growing revulsion of feeling in the land which lie himself has done so much to awaken v and educate.-