China An Interpretation

ple which he had rewritten many times while in China, and a supplementary statement of events in China from the time of the first edition until now. We have fulfilled the first request by adding Chapter XX. This is a particularly valuable contribution as it represents fifteen years of careful study of the subject with a mind open to all relative facts. It may be that some readers will disagree with the author in his final analysis, but we would suggest that they give to it the thought and study Bishop Bashford did before they openly oppose his conclusions. It is impossible at this distance from China and original sources to collect in so short a time as is demanded sufficient data to make an adequate supplementary chapter on recent events in China. We wish, therefore, to outline the significant events and tendencies since the first edition went to press. For some reasons not yet made clearâ??egotism or the pampering and plotting of selfish politiciansâ?? Yuan Shih Kai endeavored to reestablish the empire with himself as the head of the new dynasty. On December I1, 1915, he accepted the throne proffered himby the Senate. On March 22, 1916, he issued a decree canceling the empire; but he had lost the confidence of the people. While under this cloud he died, June 6, 1916. This short-lived attempt to reestablish the dynasty was unpopular: it fostered uprisings throughout the nation and immediately caused a reopening of the civil war between the North and the Sout...