To the Editor of the Norra-Caima Datty News."
S1n,—The letter in this morning's issue under the signature of Mr. K. Whang appears to merit some comment. Mr. proclaims that the Republican party now defying the Central Government must be looked on, not as rebels, but as the lawful government of the country, and that the German Consul was quite in order in so recognizing it Any country is, of course, entitled to change its form of Government, and such changes are frequently opposed by the armed forces of those who dislike the change. If the parties are more or less evenly matched it is difficult for onlookers to foresee which will eventually become the admitted rulers of the country. The other Powers always wait until a Government is firmly established before they afford its ruler their official recog: nition.
But when a change of Govern. ment is decided on, as at the present time in Chins, by the party which holds the reins of power, i.e., the Army, Navy, Civil Service, Judicature and Customs, the party which opposes that change by force is necessarily treated as in rebellion against the constituted Government. The duty of residenta in the Settlements under such circumstances is to support the de facto Government of Yuan Shih-ksi until those in rebellion take its place and establish themselves as the Government of the country; and we have no desire to encourage men, like Mr. Whang to come and live amongst us, and proclaim their views in the columns of the leading foreign newspaper of Chins, If Mr. Whang is so certain that hit Republican Government is the Government of the conatry I #rggest he live under its protection rather than within the limits of the Foreign settlements.
T am, ete., Shanghai, Jan, 28,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.