The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-04-27
WI HAS NEW PLAN.
Chinese Minister at warhihG'""
VIII Urge Reforms Upon HIS
Native Country.


WASHINGTON. April 22.-The Chinese
minister, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, Is about
to make n move of far-reaching I'M
portance to the affairs OF China ana
one which cannot, it Is believed, put
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 ac-
uuaintance with the affairs OF the
western world, and pointing out
wherein there is the opportunity Tor
China to adopt an enlightened ana
progressive policy, which will bring
| il into harmony with the sisterhood
of nations, and at the same time VIII
| relieve it from the present perpleXl-
ties which are crowding upon 1T at all
hands.
| The memorial is a comprehensive
| document, covering 20 heads, dealing
with administrative, economic ana
financial questions, and taking IN
practically the entire range of gov
eminent affairs so far as there seems
10 be a present opportunity OF re-
facilitating them on modern ana
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 10
bring about change in the existing
order of affairs. Mr.. WI is 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 inn
provement which would commend
D itself both to the Chinese govern
: ment and to the world at large as
g calculated to remove the most serious
i obstacles in the way of progress.
Probably the most important Tea
i ture of the document is its general
presentation of the view that the time
e is now at hand for China to adopt plans
Il of conservative reform. In stating the
need and advantage of this, the minis
l. ter's memorial will point to the lesson
IS Japan has given to the world. Up ia
few wears ago the conditions in China
II and Japan were almost identical But
O by the gradual adoption of modern
\ methods of procedure Japan has
d brought herself into close communica
% he nr-Id mr.
now occupies an enviable position
is among the other recognized grea
n powers. Minister WI holds that there
Is is nothing lacking in the resources o
| China or in the character of her PEG
se pie to keep her from securing the sam
Nh advantages which have come to Japan
- In determining upon this course
y ana Sthout any reference to hi
status as minister to Washington n
X any suggestion from officials her,
ue While he has had the matter in con
temptation for some time. vet Their
"a mas been no occasion or opportunit,
u Tor giving expression to his plans
Now however. this opportunity ha
III presented itself in the form of n re
Is cent imperial edict inviting the bipl
le oficials of China, at home an,
u abroad-viceroys, governors and min
listers abroad--to present TO the GOV
e eminent every facility at their com
g mand to aid in overcoming the pres
! ent disastrous condition of affairs
Inc 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 tbere-
1ore asks for every aid which it's pa
/, triotic citizens can bring to il in over
coming the evils of the past and in
establishing secure basis for the fu-
ture. Acting upon this edict. Mr.. Wu
has prepared his comprehensive me-
mortal to the government. me-
mortal of this character il is so;d 10
the most important act n Chinese a.
hciai can take, for it is not resorted
to except on rare occasions when the
gravity OF a cause warrants an Off
cial to come into immediate commune
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 recommendat ions
will take mp lines of reform which hive |
been brought forward by the powers
in the negotiations at Picking, 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.