The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-22
PROGRESSIVE Mr.. WI
FE WILL MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO
CHINESE COURT.
WILL URGE MODERN METHODS.
A MODERN FOREIGN SERVICE PRO-
POSED BY HIM.

He Thinks II Better to Have One
Official in Charge of Foreign AZ
fairs Instead of n Board, or Va
men of Five Members, and That
This OnicIal should Be Selected
for Capacity and Fitness without
Regard to Rnnk-ShouId BE
Member of EmperOrs PriVy Coun-
ell.
Washington, April 21.-The Chinese min
lister, Mr. WI Ting Fang is about to
make a move of far reaching importance
to the affairs of China and one which
cannot it is believed but engage the fs-
vorable attention of all the foreign Pow
ers interested in the affairs of the empire.
He is preparing a memorial to the Chi
nese government, based on his intimate
acquaintance with the affairs of the
Western world, and pointing out wherein
there is the opportunity for China to
adopt an enlightened and progressive pol
icy which will bring it into harmony with
the sisterhood of nations and at the same
time will relieve it from the present per-
plexities which are crowding upon it at
all hands. The memorial is a comprehen-
sive document, covering twenty
heads, dealing with a1ninistra-
tive, economic, and financial questions
The document purposely avoids radical:
ism and extreme reforms, which have
interfered with previous efforts to bring
about a change in the existing order of
affairs.
Mr.. WI has sought to find a middle
ground of conservative improvement
which would commend itself both to the
Chinese government and to the world at
large.
Minister WI Is acting entirely upon his
own initiative and responsibility and with
out any reference to his status as minister
to Washington or any suggestion from
officials here. While he has had the mat
ter in contemplation for some time, yet
there has been no occasion or opportunity
for giving expression to his pans. Now,
however, this opportunity has presented
itself in the form of a recent imperial
edict inviting the high officials of China
al home and abroad-viceroys, governors,
and ministers abroSd-to present to the
government every facility at their COM
mand to aid in overcoming the present
disastrous condition of affairs Acting
upon this edict Mr.. WI has prepared his
comprehensive memorial 10 the govern
ment.
The Lesson Afforded by Japan.
In stating the need and advantage of
conservative reform the minister's memo
rial points to the lesson Japan has given
to the word. Up to a few years ago the
conditions In China and Japan were al
most Identical.
But by the gradual adoption of modern
methods of procedure, Japan has brought
herself into close communication with the
rest of the world and now occupies an
enviable position along with the other rec
ognized great Powers. Minister WI holds
that there is nothing lacking in the re-
sources of China or in the character Of
her people to keep her from securing the
same advantages which have come to
Japan.
The memorial specifies along what lines
changes can be made with advantage. AS
stated, these cover administrative, eco
nomic and financial conditions. One of
the most important subjects recently un-
der consideration by the Powers at Pekin
has been that relating 10 the establish
ment of a foreign office at Pekin to take
the place of the Tsung Ii Yamen. The
plan of the Powers is that the old board
of ten members shall be replaced by a
new board of five members, with prince
of the blood at its head, two ministers of
foreign affairs, and two vice ministers,
the latter to have a knowledge of foreign
languages. This plan has not been wholly
satisfactory to the foreign ministers, and
their governments, but they have accepted
it with the belief that 1t was at least
an Improvement on the old Tsung III va
men, and one which would be more like
ly to concur with China's desire to have
important work performed by boards IN
stead of by individuals
A Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Wu's memorial will go even further
than the Powers have suggested as to the
establishment of modern foreign service. |
Instead of a board he will propose that
one official be given the authority and re-
sponsibility of directing the foreign af- !
fairs Of the empire. He does not regard |
il as essential that this one official shall |
be prince of the blood although If need |
be preference might be given to a prince |
If he had the other requisites of ability |
for foreign administration. The memorial |
will urge that the supreme test of the Sc
lection of this high official shall be abil- |
ity and fitness for the special duties to |
which he is appointed. II will be pointed |
out that by virtue of his position he should /
be a member of the privy council and I
thus able to secure ready access to the |
Emperor. While this official would be |
charged with the responsibility. yet for |
administrative purposes he would nave
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