CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 202

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general election based not on the new election law, which is incompatible with his claim to the Presidency. extraordinary spectacle is thus presented of the self-styled President of the Republic confessing that he has no legal

right to that title.

has

Thus, in this hour of crisis when national existence itself is imperilled there is in Peking no government which is legally constituted or able to discharge the functions of government. Under these circumstanea, the National Assembly, the only body of legally elected representative8 of all the provinces and territories of the country, established a formal government and has elected me to be the President of the Republic. Being the founder of the Republic, I cannot afford to see her in danger without

Having been summoned once making an effort to save her. before in 1911 to the Presidency from which I resigned after

a short tenure in order, as I thought to bring about unity in the country, I intend now to do all in my power to discharge these duties and functions honestly, faithfully and to the satisfaction of my fellow citizens.

As the National Assembly which has elected me represents the whole country irrespective of North or South, so it shall be my first endeavour to unite all the provinces and territories of the Republic under one government which shall

The legitimate rights of be progressive and enlightened. foreign Powers and their nationals, duly acquired 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 Buffering 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

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