13 OCTOBER 1928, Page 3

Another surprise is the preamble to the law. This definitely

sets a limit to the immediate development of democracy on Western lines. The Kuomintang having ceased to be Communist was naturally supposed to be at least highly democratic. The new State Council, or Government, however, is described as being transitional. Its function is to bring the country from the military stage to the educative stage. Meanwhile a " strong Government " is recognized as necessary. Altogether the Kuomintang Party seems to be a new kind of Emperor who gives absolute orders to the Executive.