On March 10, 1912, Yuan Shih K'ai took the Oath, which read as follows:—
"Since the Republic has been established, many works have now to be performed. I shall endeavour faithfully to develop the Republic, to sweep away the disadvantages attached to absolute monarchy, to observe the laws of the Constitution, to increase the welfare of the country, to cement together a strong nation which shall embrace all five races. When the National Assembly elects a permanent President, I shall retire. This I swear before the Chinese Republic."
The following is a detailed statement, as translated from the Chinese, of the conditions of the Provisional Republican Constitution:—
THE PROVINCIAL REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION.
Chapter 1. General.
Article 1.—The Republic of China is established by the people of China.
Article 2.—The sovereignty of the Republic of China is vested in the whole body of the people.
Article 3.—The territory of the Republic of China consists of the twenty-two provinces, Inner and Outer Mongolia, Tibet, and Kokonor.
Article 4.—The Republic of China will exercise its governing rights through the National Assembly, Provisional President, Ministers of State and Courts of Justice.