perors as at the time when the president is
changed.

Mr. Ko: I can understand what you have said with regard to the
advantages and disadvantages of the republic and the monarchy, but
there are many problems connected with the formation of a
constitutional monarchy which we have to solve. Why is it that the
attempt to introduce constitutional government during the last years
of the Manchu Dynasty proved a failure?

Mr. Hu: The constitutional government of the Manchu Dynasty was one
in name only, and as such the forerunner of the revolution of 1911.
Towards the end of the Manchu Dynasty, the talk of starting a
revolution to overthrow the imperial regime was in everybody's
mouth, although the constitutional party endeavoured to accomplish
something really useful. At that time His Excellency Yuan Shih-kai
was the grand chancellor, and realizing the fact that nothing except
the adoption of a constitutional government could save the throne of
the Manchus, he assumed the leadership of the constitutional party,
which surpassed in strength the revolutionary party as a result of
his active support. The people's hearts completely turned to the
constitutional party for salvation, while the revolutionary party
lost that popular support which it had formerly enjoyed. Then it
seemed that the imperial household would soon adopt the
constitutional monarchy and the threatening revolution could be
averted. Unfortunately, the elaborate plans of His Excellency Yuan
Shih-kai regarding the adoption of the constitutional government
were not carried out by the imperial household. A great change took
place: His Excellency retired to his native province; and after
losing this powerful leader the constitutional party was pitilessly
shattered. A monarchist party suddenly made its appearance on the
political arena to assist the imperial family, which pretended to do
its very best for the development of a constitutional government,
but secretly exerted itself to the utmost for the possession and
retention of the real power. This double-dealing resulted in
bringing about the revolution of 1911. For instance, when the people
cried for the convening of a parliament, the imperial family said
"No." The people also failed to secure the abolition of certain
official organs for the imperialists. They lost confidenc