throne abolished.  The imperial figure-head then flees to the foreign country where he enjoys an empty title.  Should you then try to make him devise means for regaining the lost territory it will be too late.  For China will have been entirely destroyed by that time.  This is the second procedure in the annexation of Chinese territory.  The reason why that foreign country desires to change the republic into the monarchy is to set one man on the throne and make him witness the whole process of annexation of his country, thereby simplifying the matter.  When that time has come, the people will not be permitted to make any comment upon the form of government suitable for China, or upon the destruction of their country.  The rebels who raised the standard of the republic have no principles and if they now find that some other tactics will help to increase their power they will adopt these tactics.  China’s republic is doomed, no matter what happens.  If we do not change it ourselves, others will do it for us.  Should we undertake the change ourselves we can save the nation:  otherwise there is no hope for China to remain a nation.  It is to be regretted that our people now assume an attitude of indifference, being reluctant to look forward to the future, and caring not what may happen to them and their country.  They are doomed to become slaves after the loss of their national independence.

Mr. Ko:  I am very much frightened by what you have said.  You have stated that the adoption of a constitutional monarchy can avert such terrible consequences; but is there not likely to be disturbance during the change of the republic to monarchy, since such disturbance must always accompany the presidential election?

Mr. Hu:  No comparison can be formed between these two things.  There may be tumult during the change of the form of government, but it will be better in comparison with the chaos that will some day ensue in the republic.  There is no executive head in the country when a republic endeavours to select a presidential successor.  At such a time, the ambitious try to improve their future, while the patriotic are at a loss now to do anything which will assist in the maintenance of order.  Those who are rebellious rise in revolt while those who are peace-loving are compelled by circumstances to join their rank and file.  Should the form of government be transformed into a monarchical one, and should the time for change of the head of the state come, the successor having already been provided for, that will be well-known to the people.  Those who are patriotic will exert their utmost to preserve peace, and as result the heir-apparent can peacefully step on the throne.  There are persons who will contend for the office of the President, but not for the throne.  Those who contend for the office of President do not commit any crime, but those who try to seize the throne are rebels.  Who dares to contend for the Throne?

At the time of the change of the president in a republic, ambitious persons arise with the intention of capturing this most honourable office, but not so when the emperor is changed.  Should there be a body of persons hostile to the heir-apparent, that body must be very small.  Therefore I say that the enemies of a succeeding Emperor are a few, whilst there are many in the case of a presidential successor.  This is the first difference.