The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-21
CHINA IN PATH OF PROGRESS
IMPERIAL EDTCT FROM TEE DOW
AGER EMPRESS.
she Urges VIc-rOSs. Governors and Other
OnicIaIs 20 Make Earnest Efforts 70
Educate the People and Prepare Them
nm for q CONSTITUTIONAL Government.

me Urges NlCerOys, SONcrhOrs anu Vt"e'
OnicIaIs 20 Make Earnest Efforts 70
Educate the People and Prepare Them
E Tor . constitutional Government
wAsHISo1oN. oct. 2O.-An official trans
Iation OF the text Of an imperial edict issued
N Pekin early last month looking toward
the establishment of a constitutional gov
crnment for the Chinese Empire has been
sent TO the State Department by W. W.
Rockhill. the American Minister in Pekin.
The edict is one Of the moet importan .
rver coming from Pekin. and II IL is faith
fully followed, which Is somewhat doubtful
in the minds Of those familiar with the
situaticn, II will create q great change in
China, bringing the people and the Govern
ment together and making China more OF a
unit than IL now lie.
Tbedecision Of the Imperial Government
which brought sbout the edict was the
result Of the reports Of the missions which
china early this year sent throughout the
world. one II these missions, composed
of the most prominent men 10 the Chinese
Empire. came TO the United States. { theirs
-ent To Europe. All devoted their time to
q study of conditions. 10 oking especially
for IDEAS which il might be possible to in
troduce into China,
The edict came from her Imperial
Majesty Tzu Hal, who evidently thinks
Il is high time for a change in the conditions
of her realm. The full text follows:
From the founding of our dvnasty 70 the
present time the ulse measures adopted OF
the holy monarchs who have succeeded one
another upon the thu one have always. Tltnout
exception. been taken With due regard 70 the
exjgencies Of the tlmes and have been en-
bodied in me statutes of the empire
AZ present all nations in free communist
ton with each other. IN their methods ~
xoyernment and their Laws, are Influenced
one by another Our political institutions,
however remain as II old, and conditlops ~
affairs which threaten danger and disaster
day BY day become more imminent Unless
We broaden our knowledge By more compre
hensive stud If the institutions Of other
lands and improve cur laws accordin ely. We
shall fail 70 keep the rath Of progress marked
out by our imperial ancestors. ana there VIII
be no hope Oi securing that lust admins.
tration which the welfare Of ministers ana
people alike demand
some time ago. ther efoTe. We appointed
certain ministers ~ visit foreign countries
to INQUIRE into their methods Of government.
and Duke Tsai-Ise and his associates have
now returned and made their reports All
are agreed that the lack Of prosperity in the
state 10 due 70 -he separation between the
on1cials and the people. and the lack Of Co-
operation between the capital and the prov
inces. The officials are ignorant Of the needs
Of the people. and the people do not under
stand what is necessary TO the safety OF the
State.
The wealth and siren 9Th OF other countries
are due to their practice IT constitutional
government. in which public questions are
determined by consultation with the people.
The ruler and bis people are as one body,
minated by one spirit. as a result Of which
comprehensive consideration r. given 10 the
waparal uCplfAT re- and the limits of authority
are clearly defined. Even in securing and
appropriating funds for the public use, as
well as in all political measures, there is moth
ing which is not made the public concern OF
the people. Moreover, these nations all learn
one from another. and are constantly improv-
ing their methods SO as 10 attain to the high
est 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 government
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 a popular assembly.
These are the foundation principles upon
which the peTpetuity or the State is to rest.
Asyet, however. a constitution is not prepared
and the people. too. are not properly equipped
With the necessary knowledge. lr we adopt
hasty measures and simply issue speeches
and pretentions documents. how can we
secure the confidence OF the people?
II, therefore. we would get rid OF sCcUmu-
hated evils and Ak responsibility we must first
Of all begin with the official organization.
Tn first thing imperatively necessary is that
the regulations relating to official functions
be taken UP and carried on and successfully
amended. and that the various classes OF
laws likewise be carefully arranged
We must extend education. put the finances
" @nHa- Nhn ALI uEr ALeaD =
tablish a police organization Throughout
che empire. cause the gentry and people TO
thcroughly understand political affairs and
thus by such preparation lay the foundations
OF constitutions government.
Let the ministers and officials in the capital
and the provinces give thorough attention
% these matters and exert themselves to
secure Success. 80
In a few wears. when The system shall
have been roughly outlined, We can, after
due consideration Of the circumstances.
nollate and compare the methods OF other
nations and adopt n satisfactory form OF
constitutional gov eminent az we'll as nv a
,date for putting it. into operation. That date
will depend upon the rate NJ progress being
made and will be proclaimed accordingly
% the empire.
Let all the Tatar Generals viceroys and
Governors Of the provinces instruct the lit
efary 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 comprehend those principles
by which the nation Is 10 he united for the
promotion of civilization. that private interests
are not 10 be pursued TO the injury Of the
public welfare. that petty Jealousies must not
be allowed to defeat national policies and
that respect for authority IL the preservative
Of peace.
Thu We may hope that the people will
accumulate the stores NJ wisdom needed for
the establishment OF a constitutions form OF
government.
Let this be published abroad for the in
forma ton OF all. Respect this.