out
by the simple and admirable method of invoking the help of the
kitchen-fires. And in this appropriate way does the monster-play end.

CODE TELEGRAM DATED DECEMBER 21, 1915, FROM THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
BUREAU, ORDERING THE DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE
ELECTIONS

To the Military and Civil Governors of the Provinces, the Military
Commissioners at Foochow and Kweiyang; the Military Commandants at
Changteh, Kweihuating, and Kalgan; and the Commissioner of Defence
at Tachienlu:--(To be deciphered with the Hua Code)

The change in the form of the state is now happily accomplished.
This is due not only to the unity of the people's minds, but more
especially to the skill with which, in realizing the object of
saving the country, you have carried out the propaganda from the
beginning, managed affairs according to the exigencies of the
occasions, and adapted the law to suit the circumstances. The people
have, to be sure, become tired of the Republic; yet unless you had
taken the lead, they would not have dared to voice their sentiments.
We all appreciate your noble efforts.

Ever since the monarchical movement was started, the people as well
as the high officials in the different localities have repeatedly
petitioned for the change, a fact which proves that the people's
will is in favour of it. In order to enable the people to express
their will through a properly constituted organ, the General
Convention of the Citizens' Representatives has been created.

Since the promulgation of the Law on the Organization of the
Citizens' Representatives, we, who are devoted to the welfare of the
state, desire to see that the decisions of that Convention do not
run counter to the wishes of the people. We are so anxious about the
matter that we have striven so to apply the law to meet the
circumstances as to carry out our designs. It is out of patriotic
motives that we have adopted the policy of adhering to the law,
whenever possible, and, at the same time, of yielding to expediency,
whenever necessary. During the progress of this scheme there may
have been certain letters and telegrams, both official and private,
which have transgressed the bounds of the law. They will become
absolutely useless after the affair is finished.' Moreover, no
matter how carefully their secrets may have