A third edict says that Yuan Shih-kai has memor ed that the responsibilities of the position of the Premier are great that he would be incompetent to bear the burden. He prays the Throne to withdraw his appointment, as the country's condition is so critical that the only political chance is to have a sure foundation. The edict continues.
"Yuan has been a public servant for many years, he has everyone's confidence, his ancestors and be have received the Throne's bounty for many generations; he is patriotic and able, he must recollect that he was highly esteemed by former ralers, and he must not decline 357
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.