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by treaty, contract or established usage, shall be scrupulously respected. The vast resources of the country, natural and industrial, shall be developed so that the whole world, suffering from the disastrous effects of long years of war, will be benefited. For this purpose foreign capital and expert knowledge will, in pursuance of the open-door policy, be welcomed. There is little doubt that, with the southern provinces enjoying good government and prosperity under an honest Administration and a constructive programme, the other provinces will be only too ready to throw off the yoke of militarism and misrule and, acknowledging the authority of this Government, bring about the much-desired unification of the country.
I believe my task is lightened by the fact of the illegality and incompetency of the Peking Government. That Government is not recognised by the Chinese people themselves; it is being propped up solely by the fact of its possession of the historic capital of the country and its consequent recognition by the foreign Powers. I appeal to the Governments of the friendly Powers to withdraw recognition from a soi-disant Government, which is avowedly not de jure, and which is proving itself not even de facto and, in the same manner in which they recognised the Republic's Government, forined by the National Assembly in 1913, accord recognition to this Government formed now by the same Assembly, as the only Government of the Republic.
Actuated by no desire of selfish gain, but by the sole motive of serving the Republic to the best of their ability, the members of this Government represent those ideals and those principles which, if the Republic is to survive and take her rightful place in the family of nations, as they firmly believe she will, must necessarily triumph, víz, liberalism, constitutionalism and devotion to the common weal.
Canton, May 5, 1921.
(Translation.) Fellow-Citizens,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
SUN YAT-SEN.
The President's Address on his Assumption of Office.
BEING now entrusted by the National Assembly with the onerous respon- sibility of the Presidency of the Republic of China, beg respectfully to declare, upon assumption of office, what I have in mind to my fellow-citizens.
Deploring the despotism of a foreign race and the steady decline of our national prestige, I, during the latter part of the Manchu dynasty, advocated the three great principles of nationality, democracy and the economic welfare of the people. Through popular support the revolution succeeded and the Manchu dynasty was overthrown. Gratified at the establishment of a republic and the cessation of fighting, I willingly resigned from the office of President and offered the reins of government to Yuan Shih-kai in order that I might devote all my energy to the work of railway construction. Unfortunately I was deficient in my knowledge of men, and thereupon began China's numerous troubles. Public opinion was soon disturbed by Yuan's monarchical scheme. Although the Hungsien Emperor was forthwith overthrown, sinister influences still remain, militarism holds sway, morality has fallen to the ground, and the government of the country has become more and more corrupt. The nation is torn asunder with no immediate hope of unification. Being the founder of the Republic and now entrusted by the National Assembly with the responsibility of putting down disorder and re-establishing peace, how dare I decline to perform my duty?
The
It is difficult to say, of construction and destruction, which should come first and which last. But if the system of administration is at fault, there is no means of securing an efficient Government. Centralisation of powers for tyrannical purposes began with the corrupt Manchu Government. If the country is to be rid of perpetual struggle and confusion between the central and local Governments, the only way is to allow the people of the different provinces to have self-government to the fullest extent, to adopt their own provincial Constitutions and to elect their own Governors. Central Government should decentralise its powers to the different provinces, and the provinces, in turn, to the different districts. In this way, it is hoped, the disintegrated Republic may, under the principle of self-government, become united without resorting to force of arms to the suffering of the people. In the case of certain important economic enterprises, the Central Government should assume control. Industries should be developed and the masses of the people should be protected.
As to foreign
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affairs, the Central Government will assume responsibility. In accordance with public opinion, it will keep good faith and cultivate friendly relations with foreign Powers, so as to maintain a position of equality in the family of nations and to safeguard the permanent peace of the Far East.
It
At this initial period of restoring order out of chaos, the tasks are manitold, is hoped that the talents of the whole nation will contribute each in its sphere and all co-ordinate and co-operate in the advancement of national culture.
I solemnly declare that I will faithfully and earnestly do my utmost for the salvation of China, and, sweeping aside all obstacles, endeavour to effect an early unification of the country and strengthen the foundation of the Republic.
SUN YAT-SEN.
Canton, May 5, 1921.
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