fication which a
leader at such a time needs to possess is the control of the
military, and the ability to suppress Parliament. Should such a
person be made the president, he cannot long hold his enviable post
in view of the fact that he cannot possess sufficient influence to
control the troops of the whole country. The generals of equal rank
and standing will not obey each other, while the soldiers and
politicians, seeing a chance in these differences for their
advancement, will stir up their feelings and incite one another to
fight. They will fight hard among themselves. The rebels, who are
now exiles in foreign lands, taking advantage of the chaos in China,
will return in very little time to perpetrate the worst crimes known
in human history. The royalists who are in retirement will likewise
come out to fish in muddy waters. Persons who have the
qualifications of leaders will be used as tools to fight for the
self-aggrandizement of those who use them. I do not wish to mention
names, but I can safely predict that more than ten different parties
will arise at the psychological moment. Men who will never be
satisfied until they become president, and those who know they
cannot get the presidency but who are unwilling to serve others,
will come out one after another. Confusion and disturbance will
follow with great rapidity. Then foreign countries which have
entertained wild ambitions, availing themselves of the distressful
situation in China will stir up ill-feelings among these parties and
so increase the disturbances. When the proper time comes, various
countries, unwilling to let a single country enjoy the privilege of
controlling China, will resort to armed intervention. In consequence
the eastern problem will end in a rupture of the international
peace. Whether China will be turned at that time into a battleground
for the Chinese people or for the foreign Powers I cannot tell you.
It is too dreadful to think of the future which is enshrouded in a
veil of mystery. However, I can tell you that the result of this
awful turmoil will be either the slicing of China like a melon or
the suppression of internal trouble with foreign assistance which
will lead to dismemberment. As to the second result some explanation
is necessary. After foreign countries have helped us to suppress
inte