there be a
body of persons hostile to the heir-apparent, that body must be very
small. Therefore I say that the enemies of a succeeding Emperor are
a few, whilst there are many in the case of a presidential
successor. This is the first difference.

Those who oppose the monarchy are republican enthusiasts or persons
who desire to make use of the name of the republic for their own
benefit. These persons will raise trouble even without the change of
the government. They do not mind disturbing the peace of the country
at the present time when the republic exists. It is almost certain
that at the first unfurling of the imperial flags they will at once
grasp such an opportune moment and try to satisfy their ambition.
Should they rise in revolt at the time when the Emperor is changed
the Government, supported by the loyal statesmen and officials,
whose interests are bound up with the welfare of the imperial family
and whose influence has spread far and wide, will be able to deal
easily with any situation which may develop. Therefore I declare
that the successor to the throne has more supporters while the
presidential successor has few. This is the second difference
between the republic and the constitutional monarchy.

Why certain persons will contend for the office of the President can
be explained by the fact that there is not a single man in the
country whose qualifications are above all the others. Succession to
the throne is a question of blood-relation with the reigning
Emperor, and not a question of qualifications. The high officials
whose qualifications are unusually good are not subservient to
others but they are obedient to the succeeding Emperor, because of
their gratitude for what the imperial family has done for them, and
because their well-being is closely associated with that of the
imperial household. I can cite an historical incident to support my
contention. Under the Manchu Dynasty, at one time General Chu
Chung-tang was entrusted with the task of suppressing the Mohammedan
rebellion. He appointed General Liu Sung San generalissimo. Upon the
death of General Liu, Chu Chung-tang appointed his subordinate
officers to lead the army but the subordinate officers competed for
power. Chu Chung-tang finally made the step-son of General Liu the
Commander-in-Chief and the off