The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-28
CHINA IS NOW IN PATH OF PROGRESS Imperial Edict from the Dowa-
 ger Empress MAKES AN URGENT APPEAL Wants VIceroys, Governors and Other Officials to Make Efforts to Ed
 ucate People for constitu-
 tlonal Government.
MAKES AN URGENT APPEAL

washington-An official translation of the text Of an imperial edict issued in Pei0in early last month looking toward the establishment of a constitutional gov- ernuent for the Chinese empire has been sent to the state department by w. w. Rockhil, the American minister in Peidn. The ediot is one of the most important ever coming from PelSin, and if it is faith fully followed, which is somewhat doubt fui in the minds of those familiar with the situation, 1t will create great change in China, bringing the people and the government together and making China more of unit than it now Is.
 The decision of the imperial govern ment which brought about the edict was the result of the reports of the missions which China early this year sent through out the world. One of these missions. composed of the most prominent men in the Chinese empire, came to the United States Others went to Europe. All de- voted their time to a study of conditions, looking especially for ideas which it might be possible to introduce into China. The edict came from her Imperial Maj esty Tzu Hai, who evidently thinks it is high time for a change in the conditions of her realm. The full text follows:
 Text of Edict.
 From the founding of our dynasty to the present time the wise measures adopted by the holy monarchs who have succeeded one another upon the throne, have always, without exception, been rJ fo ayi of the times and have been embodied in the statutes of the empire.
 At present all nations in free communi- cation with each other. in their methods of government and their laws, are influ- enced one by another. Our political in- stitutions however, remain as of old, and conditions of affairs which threaten dan ger and disaster day by day become more imminent Unless we broaden our knowl- edge by more comprehensive study of the institutions of other lands and improve our laws accordingly, we shall fail to keep the path of progress marked out by our imperial ancestors, and there will be no hope of securing that just administra tion which the welfare of ministers and people alike demand.
 Some time ago, therefore, we appointed certain ministers to visit foreign coun- tries to inquire into their methods of government. and Duke Tsai-Tse and his associates have now returned and made their reports. All are agreed that the lack of prosperity in the state is due to the separation between the capital and the provinces. The officials are ignorant of the needs of the people, and the people do not understand what is necessary to the safety of the state.
 Strength of Other Countries.
 The wealth and strength of other coun- tria tn Ia Of tlonal government, in which public ques- tions are determined by consultation with the people. The ruler and his people arc as one body, animated by one spirit, as a result of which comprehensive consid- eration is given to the general welfare and the limits of authority are clearly de- fined Even in securing and approprating funds for the public use, as well as in all political measures, there is nothing which is not made the public concern of the people Moreover, these nations all learn one from another, and are constantly inn proving their methods so as to attain to the highest degree of prosperity. The success of government and the concord of the people have their origin here.
 Under these circumstances we can but consider carefully the form of govern ment best suited to the needs of the times and adopt a constitutional policy in which the supreme authority shall be vested in the crown, but all questions of government shall be considered by pop ular assembly.
 These are the foundation principles upon which the perpetuity of the state is to rest. As yet, however a constitution is not prepared and the people, too, are not properly equipped with the necessary knowledge. If we adopt nasty measures and simply issue speeches and pretentious documents, how can we secure the conh. dence of the people?
 1f therefore. we would get rid of ac- cumulated evils and fix responsibility we must first of all begin with the official organization The first thing imperative ly necessary is that the regulations relat. ing to official functions be taken up and carried on and successfully amended and that the various classes of laws like wise becarefully arranged.
 We must extend education, put the finances in order, improve the military system, establish a police organization throughout the empire. cause the gentry and people to thoroughly understand po- litcal affairs and thus by such prepara- tion lay the foundations of constitutional government
 capital and the provinces give thorough attention to these matters and exert themselves to secure success.
 First Make Trial.
 In few years, when the system shall have been roughly outlined, we can, after due consideration of the circumstances. colate and compare the methods of other nations and adopt satisfactory form of constitutional government well as fix date for putting it into operation. That date will depend upon the rate of progress being made and will be proclaimed accord ingly to the empire
 Let all the Tartar generals viceroys and governors of the provinces instruct the literary classes and the common people to arouse themselves to earnest efforts in behalf of education. in the hope that every one may come to understand the real meaning of patriotism and compre- hend those principles by which the na- ton is to be united for the promotion of civilization, that private interests are not to be pursued to the injury of the pub lie welfare, that petty jealousies must not be allowed to defeat national policies and that respect for authority is the pre- servative of peace.
 Thus we may hope that the people will accumulate the stores of wisdom needed for the establishment of a constitutional form of government.
 Let this be published abroad for the in formation of all. Respect this.
 
 Moral Victory