n administered to the one making the
suggestion. But the situation last year was indeed so different from
the circumstances of preceding years that it was impossible to
prevent the spread of such ideas.

It was said that China could never hope to continue as a nation
unless the constitutional monarchical form of state were adopted;
and if quarrels like those occurring in Mexico and Portugal were to
take place in China, we would soon share the fate of Annam and
Burmah. A large number of people then advocated the restoration of a
monarchy and advanced arguments which were reasonable. In this
proposal all the military and civil officials, scholars and people
concurred; and prayers were addressed to me in most earnest tone by
telegram and in petitions. Owing to the position I was at the time
holding, which laid on me the duty of maintaining the then existing
situation, I repeatedly made declarations resisting the adoption of
the advice; but the people did not seem to realize my embarrassment.
And so it was decided by the acting Li Fa Yuan (_i.e._ the Senate)
that the question of _Kuo-ti_ (form of State) should be settled by
the Convention of Citizens' Representatives. As the result, the
representatives of the Provinces and of the Special Administrative
Areas unanimously decided in favour of a constitutional monarchy,
and in one united voice elected me as the Emperor. Since the
sovereignty of the country has been vested in the citizens of China
and as the decision was made by the entire body of the
representatives, there was no room left to me for further
discussion. Nevertheless, I continued to be of the conviction that
my sudden elevation to the Great Seat would be a violation of my
oath and would compromise my good faith, leaving me unable to
explain myself; I, therefore, declined in earnest words in order to
make clear the view which hath always been mine. The said Senate
however, stated with firmness that the oath of the Chief Executive
rested on a peculiar sanction and should be observed or discarded
according to the will of the people. Their arguments were so
irresistible that there was in truth no excuse for me further to
decline the offer.

Therefore I took refuge behind the excuse of "preparations" in order
that the desire of the people might be satisfied. But I took no