Those who oppose the monarchy are republican enthusiasts or persons who desire to make use of the name of the republic for their own benefit.  These persons will raise trouble even without the change of the government.  They do not mind disturbing the peace of the country at the present time when the republic exists.  It is almost certain that at the first unfurling of the imperial flags they will at once grasp such an opportune moment and try to satisfy their ambition.  Should they rise in revolt at the time when the Emperor is changed the Government, supported by the loyal statesmen and officials, whose interests are bound up with the welfare of the imperial family and whose influence has spread far and wide, will be able to deal easily with any situation which may develop.  Therefore I declare that the successor to the throne has more supporters while the presidential successor has few.  This is the second difference between the republic and the constitutional monarchy.

Why certain persons will contend for the office of the President can be explained by the fact that there is not a single man in the country whose qualifications are above all the others.  Succession to the throne is a question of blood-relation with the reigning Emperor, and not a question of qualifications.  The high officials whose qualifications are unusually good are not subservient to others but they are obedient to the succeeding Emperor, because of their gratitude for what the imperial family has done for them, and because their well-being is closely associated with that of the imperial household.  I can cite an historical incident to support my contention.  Under the Manchu Dynasty, at one time General Chu Chung-tang was entrusted with the task of suppressing the Mohammedan rebellion.  He appointed General Liu Sung San generalissimo.  Upon the death of General Liu, Chu Chung-tang appointed his subordinate officers to lead the army, but the subordinate officers competed for power.  Chu Chung-tang finally made the step-son of General Liu the Commander-in-Chief and the officers and soldiers all obeyed his order as they did his father’s.  But it may be mentioned that this young man was not more able than any of his father’s subordinate commanders.  Nevertheless prestige counted.  He owed his success to his natural qualification, being a step-son to General Liu.  So is the case with the emperor whose successor nobody dares openly to defy—­to say nothing of actually disputing his right to the throne.  This is the third difference between the republic and the monarchy.

I will not discuss the question:  as to whether there being no righteous and able heir-apparent to succeed his Emperor-father, great danger may not confront the nation.  However, in order to provide against any such case, I advocate that the formation of a constitutional government should go hand in hand with the establishment of the monarchy.  At first it is difficult to establish and carry out a constitutional