CO129-408 - Public Offices & Others - 1913 — Page 268

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the Argemal no attempt would have been made to take it.

In support of his argument he instanced the fact that the Governors General of Kiangsu and Kwangtung

had gone away quietly when dismissed.

I tould

not agree.

Provinces were disloyal and that if Northern troops had not been thrown into the Arsenal in time it would have fallen into the hands of the rebels.

3. Ir. Tang went on to deprecate the

I said it was notorious that these

rebellion, It said it had only strengthened Yuan's hands. But he declared that the present situation could not last. All his party wanted was a simple and honest administrator who would rule the country on sound lines. He spoke strongly in favour of the election of the President after the framing or

the constitution. I advised the acceptance of the President and the framing of a Constitution after his election vesting considerable power in the President somewhat on the lines of the Constitution

of the United States of America. I emphasized the

necessity of strong leading in China with much

power vested in a few hands in order to minimise

the interminable intriguing or political factions and the wirepulling of political agitators, which were distracting the country and making impossible steady progress towards much-needed reform.

Kr.Tang admitted that a strong Government-

even somewhat autocratic in fom was necessary; but it must be free from corruption am intrigue.

He would be willing to re-join the Government tomorrow

if