The Saint Paul globe., 1901-04-22
WI WRITES A MEMORIAL
MOVE OF FAR-REACHING IMPOR-
TANCE TO THE AFFAIRS
OF CHINA
ADVISES A NEW POLICY
Conservative Reforms Recommended
In the Document Which Treats
of Economic and Finan-
cial Conditions.

WASHINGTON, April 2.-The Chinese
minister, 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
favorable attention of all the foreign
powers interested in the affairs of the
empire. He is preparing a memorial to
the Chinese government, based upon 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 pro-
gressive policy, which will bring it into
harmony with the sisterhood of nations,
and at the same time will relieve it
from the present perpleXities which are
crowding upon 1t at all hands The
memorial is a comprehensive document,
covering twenty heads, dealing with ad-
ministrative, economic and financial ques-
tions, and taking in practically the en-
tire range of government affairs 80 far
as there seems to be a present oppor-
tunity of rehabilitating them on modern
and progressive lines. The document is,
however, most conservative in character
and purposely avoids radicalism and eX-
treme reforms which have interfered
with previous efforts to bring about
change in the existing order of affairs.
In determining upon this course, Min
lister WI is acting entirely upon his own
initiative and responsibility, and with
out any reference to his status as minis
ter to Washington or any suggestion
from officials here. Quite apart from
his position as minister, he continues to
have most lively interest in the well
fare of his country Moreover, his long
service abroad, both In Europe and Amer
lea, his knowledge Of the English Ian
guage, and his keen powers of conserva-
ton, have afforded him opportunities Of
observing how far the modern system of
the Western world could be adopt ed
without shock to the ancient system Of
China. While he has had the matter in
contemplation 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 recent imperial
edict inviting the high officials of China
at nome and abroad-viceroys, governors
and ministers abroad-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 memc-1a. TO
the government. Probably the most i'm
portant feature of the document is its
general presentation of the view that the
ume is now at hand for China to adopt
plans of conservative reform In stating
the need and advantages of this. the
minister's memorial will point to the les
son Japan has given to the world. Tn
TO few years ago the conditions in
Cnlna and Japan were almost Identical
But by the gradual adoption of modern
methods of procedure Japan has brought
nerSef into close communication with tho
rest of the world, and now occupies an
enVlaple position along with the otner
recognized powers. Minister WI holds
tlat there is nothing lacking in the re-
sources or CHINA Or in the character Of
ner people to keep her from securing the
Same advantages which have come to
Janan.
IN some respects Mr. Wu's recommen.
uatlons VIII take UP lines of re form which
nave peen brought forward by the pow
ers IN the negotiations at PeLin and
Will point out that instead of resisting
them 1t will be to the ADVANTAGE of Mi
ila TO go even further than the powers
nave suggested. For instance, one of
the most important subjects recent1v nm
der consideration has been that relating
TO the establishment of a foreign office
at Pek1n to take the place Of the tsung
yamen. The plan of the powers as
recently made known in dispatches from
Pek1n, is that the old board of ten NOM
oers Shall be replaced by a new board
OF hve members, with prince of the
blood at its head, two ministers of for-
latter to have a knowle5ge of foreign
langua ges. This plan has lot been Who'll
~ satisfactory to the foreign ministe,
ana thelr governments but they have
accepted it with the belief that it will be
at least an improvement on the old
tsung II yamen AMI one which would be
more likely to concur with China's de-
sire TO nave important work performed
by boards instead of by individuals.
M T~a1
ther than the powers have suggested as
to the establishment of modern foreign
service. Instead OF a board. he will pro-
pose that one official be given the an
thor1ty and responsibility of directing the
foreign affairs of the empire He does
not regard it as essential that this one
official shall be a prince of the b,ood all
though If need be preference might be
given to prince if he hal the cthe-
| requisites of alb lily for fore gn admins
tratton. The memorial will urge that
the supreme test in the selection of this
| nigh official shall be ability and fitness
for the SPECIAL duties to h'ch he 3
appointed. 1t will be pointel out that nv
virtue Of his position he sh 5ull be a
member OF the privy council, and thus
able to secure. rea ly acca-s to the en-
| peror. While this ofc:al v-oul1 Re chary-
/ ed With the responsibility, yet for ad
ministrative purposes he would have un-
| der him two or three assistants This
would constitute the en- ire executive o.
! ganlzat1on, so far as relates to the for
eign affairs of the emp re, AMI sscb
additional officials as might be reauired
would be appointed simply for purposes
OF carrying on the business of the Of
fce. There would be no need of two as
sistant secretaries with a kn wedge of
Foreign langua ges as such officials would
| be nothing more than interDretarS Mr.
| Wu's plan is to confine responsible an
thortty within narrow linliss, leaving as
sistants, iDterF Freters, etc., to carry on
the administrative work.
In other es- ects the memo-i -ial will Ere
! sent In deta / the best featrr s of West-
ern administration as appl cable to Chit
na The document IS practically COM
pleted and s9on will be lail before the
| imperial government