CHINA'S GREAT MAN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1365, 16 February 1912, Page 6

CHINA'S GREAT MAN.

ADVERSE VIEWS OF YUAN-SHIH KAI.

Tho "0.-aka Asahi" is responsible for the following criticism oC Yunn-Shih-Kai:—

"The greater a person, tho more varied the criticism. Home would praite; others would censure. Whether or not Yuan is a greaf iiiiin is n question, but all ngroo on the paint that he is a notable man since (hr; demise of T.i Hung Chang. There might have been many greater soldiers than Yuan. The samo may be said of statesmen, but no one has yet distinguished himself so conspicuously as he since tlio passing away of Karl Li."

If it similar mini be sought among prominent persons in Japan, Yuan will find his double in Prince Ktitsurn. Like, tho hitter, In , is n soldier, statesman, as well a.s diplomat. On the. point of being uffiiblo to everybody, of being crafty and sagaciniip, yuan reprirsouts the exact counterpart of the Prince. Like the former Premier of Japan who skilfully handled liioiie. Yamagata, and Ito, and kept them perfectly tame, Yuan adroitly managed to win the favour of Li Hung Chang, ■J ung liii, Prince Ching, and Chang Cliihtung, and used them a,s his tools to increase his inllucncc. Prince Katsura is a man of wisdom; so is Yuan. Only on the point of tho latter having a vast number of followers ho is above the Prince. Had Yuan been born in Japan, he might have been welcomed as a greater statesman that Kalsura. Had Katsura, on the other hand, l>ccn born in China, he might have enacted is part just as creditably as Yuan.

As to how Chinese themselves are looking upon Yuan, let the writer quote from his memory. Yen Fu, the well-known por.'on as the author of Tienyen Lnn, says: "Yiinn has many followers, but all of (hem adhere to him through the desire of obtaining wealth and prominence by his assistance. Take away that desire from them j thero will remain no relations between them and Yuan." Chang Chion was once tho teacher of Yuan. He scolded Ihe latter at a certain occasion and said that he is only fit for the work of chopping fodder. Chang is possibly one who knows the character and personality of Yuan well; he said, "Yuan does unblushingly things that others are ashamed to perform. He is unscrupulous and .hesitates at nothing. Being such, he may advance himself to a prominent position. But to whatever height he may elevate himself, we shall never, call on him basing our claims, on our old acquaintanceship." Dr. Wu Ting-fang slated, "Call on him at his home. When the spring sun is shining warm and bright, he hugs a blazing stove with two or threo fur coals on his back. A man of that typo can never be able to accomplish anything remarkable." NOT EMPLOYED LONG. On (he occasion of the imperial deaths, much criticism was made of Yuan. Thoso who were in favour of him thought that he would never pass the balance of his life in retirement and disappointment, He. has not only remarkable ability, but is a resourceful man, they thought.* Besides, they maintained, he has such capable men as Hsu Shih-chang, Tang Shao-i. Yang- Shih-hsiang, Chang Jcn-chun, and Yuan Shu-hsun under him. It is,irapossihle, they argued, for such a man to be left unemployed for any. considerable length of time. Criticism on Yuan has been revived since his recall. A vernacular paper said: "I/ooking over his life, Yuan is exactly in the similar position with Wang PaoPao, who served Emperor Slum of the Yuan dynasty, and is going over the same ground as the latter did. Both are Chinese by birth. Wang obtained his commission through the recommendation of Ch'aham-t.'iehmnrb; Yuan came to enjoy tho confidence of the- court through the recommendation of Prince Ching. In spite of his meritorious services and extraordinary ability, Wang found himself the centre of hatred, and was buffeted about by his jealous colleagues; Yuan experienced a similar fate. That W.ing started to subjugate various slates in f.'«n(irril China at tho head of a large army somewhat coincides with the instance of Yuan, who is rom- '■ mantled -to-subjugate the revolutionary uprisiug in Hupbh with the Imperial army and navy under hhn. When the situation became critical, Emperor Shun looked upon Wang as his protector. But, knowing well that in reality the Eniiwror did not entertain any kind feeling toward him, AYang did not exert himself to save the Emperor at the risk of 'his life. And so, when the Ming troops broke into Peking, ho held himself aloof at the head of a large force, and did not attempt to help the Emperor.

"The case closely resombles tho occasion when Yuan hesitated for a long time to accent tho commission when ho was invited by the Government. Wang desired to restore peace by pacifying the enemy; Yuan also wishes to establish peace without resorting to arms. When, at last, Wang was reconciled to the Einporor, and came out as his champion, tilings progressed so far that he was rnable to do anything. When Yuan at length procpoded to Peking and /resided over the Ministry, ho found the situation beyond remedy. Xow, when all these tliiners .ire. considered, 'vho can deny that Yuan in the Tsing dynasty is not walking over the same ground Irorlde;i by Wang in Ihe Yuan regime?"

Again, the "llsienwen Pao" stated in regard to Yuan:—"The opportunity of China's reform was started by Emperor Kwnng-Tlsu, when the germ of Ccmstitulion began to sprout out among the nation. Dill, owing lo the estrangement brought about by Yuan, between Mm J'lmproßs Dowager and Ihe Emperor, and the failure of the sovereign in accomplishing his object, the tender shoot of Constitution" was nipned off ere it attained its maturity. Xot long nfter that tha, Boxer' trouble broke, out. which must be said to have been an accident. hatched rf* nursrd by despotism.

"Since Yuan'* appointment to the post of n Grand Councillor he was arbitrary anil selfish, and, on Account of Hint, he was nicknamed n despotic demon. When hn was stripped of his power and expelled In Ilonan, wise men congratulated themselves on the Rood fortune of their counIry. Now that, he is again in ihe service, he is merely offering to the Manchii Government a policy to slrike down (.ho Han race with Hans. It is impossible to expect him. who is purposing to destroy his own brethren, to create hanpiness for them. It is far from reasonableness to ask him, who destroyed tho tender shoot of Conrtitution, to officiate as the responsible official to inaugurate constitutional government. It is only natural that one who craves after wealth should have no fixed nrinciple, and his action should be swnved to any direction where wealth beckons. Look over the past life of Yuan. Much need not bo said to see whether or not he is qualified to be thu Premier of the uew Government."