1914-1915.
ANNUAL REPORT.
422
„OLLOWING the precedent of former years some attempt may be Political.
made to take note of the political events in China during the interval since our last General Meeting. Although China has not been involved in the war, hostilities have nevertheless reached her shores and ever since the outbreak last August the situation in the Far East has been over- shadowed by the great European struggle, and less important matters have quickly faded out of the public memory.
Towards the end of 1913 the first Parliament of China was dissolved after an existence of only seven months. Its disappearance made hardly a ripple on the waters of national life; the general feeling was one of relief that the constant bickering, wrangling and intrigue which were prominent features of its proceedings were at an end; it detracted from the dignity and authority of the Government without in any way contributing to the efficiency of the administration. After its dissolution the Administrative Council took its place, but that also had but a short career and did not at any time bulk largely in the public eye. Eventually the Administra tion reverted to the old lines of an autocracy, but with the President instead of the Emperor as supreme head of the State; the position and authority of the President somewhat resembling that of the First Consul in France about a century ago.
Next in importance to the President is the functionary known as the Secretary of State, using the term in the American sense, and below him are the Ministers of the various departments--War, Finance, &c., nine in all. The Ministers, however, do not appear to act collectively as a Cabinet, each
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