New-York tribune., 1901-04-22
FOR REFORM IN CHINA.
MINISTER WI PREPARING SUGGESTIONS
FOR AN ENLIGHTENED AND PRO-
GRESSIVE POLICY

washington april N.-The Chinese Minister Wu
rus-fang. IS about to make a move Of far reach
,,g importance TO the affairs OF China, and one
t.ch cannot Il IS believed but engage the favora-
be attention OF all the foreign interested
the affairs Of the empire. He IS preparing a
mortal TO the Chinese Government based upon his
.,tinnate acquaintance with the affairs of the
western World. and pointing out wherein there is
the opportunity for China TO adopt enlightened
and progressive policy, which will bring II into
harmony with the sisterhood OF nations and at
the time VIII relieve Il from the present per-
plexities which are crowdng upon II on all sides
The memorial is a comprehensive document. COW
ering twenty heads dealing with administrative
economic and financial questions and taking in
practically the entire range Of government affairs
SO far as there is a present opportunity of reha-
tiltating them modern and progressive lines
The document is however. most conservative In
character and purposely avoids radicalisn and ex-
t-eme reforms. which have interfered with previous
efforts TO bring about a change in the existing
order OF affairs.
Mr WI is loyal and devoted adnirer Of his
country and its institutions and he has not been
in sympathy with past efforts for excessive change
as In MS judgment they went far invite
prejudice and opposition not only In imperial and
other ruling quarters. but also with the mass of the
people. who are slow realize the advantage OF
sweeping changes. In the present instance Mr. WI
has sought to find middle ground of conservative
improvement which would commend itself both to
the Chinese Government and TO the world at large
calculated to remove the most serious obstacles
in the way Of progress.
In determining upon this course Minister WI is
acting entirely upon his initiative and re-
sponsibility. and without any reference TO his
status minister to Washington or any sugges-
ton from officials here. Quite apart from his
position minister he continues TO have a most
lively interest in the welfare of his country More
over. his long service abroad. beth in Europe and
America. his knowledge OF the English language
and his keen powers OF observation have afforded
him opportunities Of observing how far the modern
system OF the Western world could be adapted
without shock to the ancient system of China
While he has had the matter IN contemplation for
some time vet there has been o occasion op-
portunity for giving expression TO his plans.
GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR SUGGESTIONS
Now however this opportunity has presented
itself in the form of recent imperial edict in
viting the high officials of China at home and
abroad-viceroys. governors and mnisters-to pre-
sent 10 the government every facility at their COM
uand to aid in overcoming the present disastrous
condition Of affairs The edict points out past evils
and holds TO severe account those members of the
old regime whose conduct has been largely re-
spon;fble for the distress through which the coun-
Try has passed. The government therefore asks
for every sid which its patriotic citizens can bring
10 Il in overcoming the evils of the past and in
establishing a basis for the future.
Acting upon this edict Mr.. WI has prepared his
comprehensive memorial to the government. A
memorial of this character Il is said. is the most
important Chinese official can take. for IL is
not resorted except rare occasions. when the
gravity Of a warrants official 10 come into
immediate communication with the imperial au
thorities on high questions Of state.
Probably the most important feature Of the docu
uent IS its general presentation OF the view that
the time is now at hand China adopt plans
conservative reform. In stating the need and ad-
vantage of this. the minister's memorial will point
70 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
herself into close communication with the rest Of
along with the other recosnzed I great powers Mia
ister Wu holds that there is nothing lacking In the
pie 10 keep her from securing the same advantages
The memorial does not. however. confne itsel:
10 generalization. but specifies along what lines
these cover administrative. economic and financial
~ ~ W = t
been brought forward by the Powers in the negotia
tons al Pekng: and viii point out that instead OF
resisting them IL will be the advantage OF China
TO go even further than the powers have sug-
subjects recently under consideration has been that
at Peking take the place Of the Tsung-li-Yamen.
PLAN OF POWERS FOR FOREIGN OFFICE.
The plan OF the powers, as recently made known
in DISPATCHES from Picking, 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-uInisters, the latter TO have knowledge OF
foreign languages This plan has not been wholly
satisfactory the foreign ministers and their gov
ernrents but they have accepted 1t with the belief
that II was al least an Improvement the old
Tsune-ii-Yar men and one which would be more
likelv 10 .oncur with China's desire TO have I'M
portant work performed by boards instead OF by
Nj WIS memorial will go further than the
powers have suggested to the establishment OF
6 modern foreign service. Instead Of a board he
will proDose that one official have the authority
and responsibility of directing the foreign affalrs
Of he er7r-e Ie not regard IL as eSSentlal
that this one official shall be prince OF the poou
although IL need be preference might be given TO a
prince II he had the other requisites VI aDi'' iOi
foreign administration. -. -, ,raroa .as+ ,,,
The memorial will that the supreme tssn IA
the Selection OF this high official shal pe apll',y
and ffness for the special duties TO which ne is
apoon.ed II Will be pointed out that by virtue OF
his Office he ehould be member OF the friVy
Council and thus BILE TO secure reaGy access 20
the Emperor While this official wouio pe cfargeu
with the responsibility, yet Tor
flstants This would constitute the entire eNecu-
tive o-ranization SO far relates 70 the foreiel
affairs Of the empire. and such aodltloihl oieias
as might he required would be appointed simply
for purposes of carrying on the business oL lne @
Office There would be no need OF two assistant
secretaries with a knowledge of foreign languages
as such officials would be nothing more thai IN
fer-,refe-s MI wu's plan is 10 CONNIE 70 Ee-
sponsibIe authority within narrow UNITS .s a
assistants, interpreters etc, 10 carry oh Inc AU
In o-he- resnects the memorial VIII present IN
detail the best features OF western a. -rac.i
as anniica HE IN China The document is practi-
caIiv cnrnnleted and soon VIII be laid peiofe the
imperial government
ANEPICAy STEAMERS ON THE NILE.