Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-04-24
WI HAS NEW PLAN.
Chinese Minister mt WashfnGt N
Will Urge Reforms Upon His
Native Country.

minister, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, is about
to make a move of far-reaching i'm
portance to the affairs of China and
engage the favorable attention of all
the foreign powers interested in the
affairs Of the empire. He is prepar-
ing a memorial to the Chinese gov
eminent, based upon his intimate &C
quaintance with the affairs of the
western world, and pointing out
wherein there is the opportunity for
China TO adopt an enlightened and
progressive policy, which will bring
it into harmony with the sisterhood
of nations, and at the same time will
relieve it from the present perplexi-
ties which are crowding upon it at all
hands.
The memorial is a comprehensive
document, covering 20 heads, dealing
with administrative, economic and
financial questions, and taking in
practically the entire range of gov
eminent affairs so far as there seems
to be present opportunity of re-
facilitating them Oh modern and
progressive lines. The document is,
however, most conservative in char
acter, and 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 is a loyal
and devoted admirer of his country
and it's institutions, and he has not
been in sympathy with past efforts
for excessive change, AS in his judg-
ment they went so far as to invite
prejudice and opposition, not only in
imperial and other ruling quarters,
but also with the mass of the people
who are slow to realize the advantage
of sweeping changes. In the present
instance Mr.. WI has sought to find
a middle ground of conservative i'm
provement which would commend
itself both to the Chinese govern
ment and to the world at large as
calculated to remove the most serious
obstacles in the way of progress.
Probably the most important fea-
ture of the document is it's general
presentation of the view that the time
is now at hand for China to adopt plans
of conserva tive reform. In stating the
need and advantage of this, the minis
ter's memorial will point to the lesson
Japan has given to the world. Up to
few years ago the conditions in China
and Japan were almost identical. But
by the gradual adoption of modern
methods OF procedure Japan has
brought herself into close communion
ton with the rest of the world and
now occupies an enviable position
among the other recognized great
powers. Minister WI holds that there
is nothing lacking in the resources of
China or in the character of her peo-
pie to keep her from securing the same
advantages which have come to Japan.
In determining upon this course,
Minister WI is acting entirely upon
his own initiative and responsibility,
and without any reference to his
status as minister to Washington or
any suggestion from officials here
While he has had the matter in con-
temptation for some time, yet there
has been no occasion or opportunity
for giving expression to his plans.
Now, however, this opportunity has
presented itself in the form of a re-
cent imperial edict inviting the high
officials of China, at home and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS governors and min
listers abrOad-to present to the gov
eminent every facility at their COM
mand to aid in overcoming the pres
ent disastrous condition of affairs
The edict points out past evils and
holds to severe account those mem
bers of the old regime whose conduct
has been largely responsible for the
distress through which the country
has passed. The government there
fore asks for every sid which it's pa
triotic citizens can bring to it in over
coming the evils of the past, and in
esta blishlng a secure basis for the fu-
ture. Acting upon this edict, Mr.. WI
has prepared his comprehensive me-
mortal to the government. A me-
mortal of this character it is said is
the most important act Chinese Of
fetal can take, for it is not resorted
to except on rare occasions when the
gravity OF cause warrants an Off
cation with the imperial authorities
on high questions of state.
The memorial does not, however,
confne itself to generalization, but
specifies along what lines changes can
be made with advantage. AS stated,
these cover administrative, economic
and financial conditions In some re-
spects also Mr.. Wu's recommendations
will take up lines of reform which have
been brought forward by the powers
in the negotiations at PeLing, and will
point out that instead of resisting
them it will be to the advantage of
China to go even further than the
powers have suggested.
VIII Delay Negotiations.
Washington, April %. Secretary
Hay will delay negotiating new canal
treaty with Great Britain until as