Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-22
A NEW ERA IN CHM
IMPERIAL EDICT LOOKING TO
A CONSTITUTION.

The United States minister to China has
sent the Department Of State g. translation
Of Chinese imperial edict issued on the
LIST of September looking to the establish
ment Of constitutional government for
that empire. The edict is as follows:
I'VE have received from her imperial
majesty. Tzu HIST. etc., ETC.. empress dow
ager, the following decree:
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 with
out exception been taken with due regard
to the exigencies Of the times and have
been embodied in the statutes Of the en-
pire.
"At present all nations are In free COM
| munication with each other and in their
methods of government and their laws
Influenced one by another. Our political in
stituttons however, remain as Of old, a con-
dl.Ion of affairs which threatens danger
and disaster. day by day becoming more
imminent. Unless we broaden our knowledge
by a more comprehensive stuly of the insti-
tutions of other lands. and improve our
laws accordingly, we shall fail to keep the
path of progress marked out by our impe-
rial ancestors, and there will be no hope Of
securing that just administration which the
welfare of ministers and people alike de-
mandS.
Tour of Foreign Countries.
Some time ago. therefore. we appointed
certain ministers to visit foreign counties
to inquire into their methods of govern
ment, 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 be-
tween the officials and the people and the
lack of cooperation between the capital
and the provinces. The officials are ignorant
Oh the needs of the people, and the people
do not understand what Is necessary to the
safety of the state. The wealth and strength
Of other countries are due to their prac-
tice of constitutional government, In which
public questions are determined by consul
tation with the people The ruler and his
people are as one body animated by one
spirit as result Of which comprehensive
consideration Is given to the general well
fare and the limits of authority are clearly
defined. Even in securing and appropriating
funds for public use, as well as In all po-
Mticai 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 improving their
methods so as to attain to the highest de-
gree Of prosperity. The success OF govern
ment and the concord of the people have
their origin here.
Under these circumstances We can but
consider the form Of government best suit
ed to the needs OF the times. and ADOPT
constitutional poifty in which the supreme
authority shall be vested in the crown. but
all questions OF government shall be con-
sidered by popular assembly.
Foundation of Perpetuity.
these are the foundation principles upon
which the perpetuity Of the state is to rest.
AS yet, however, the constitution is not
prepared. and the people, too. are not prop
erly equipped with the necessary knowl-
edge. If we adopt hasty measures and
simply issue specious and pretentious docu-
ments. how can we secure the confidence
Of the people3
cumulated evils and fix responsibility. we
must first Of all begin with the official
organization. The first thing imperatively
necessary is that the regulations relating
to official functions be taken up and con-
sidered. one by one. and successfully
amended, and that the various classes Of
laws likewise be carefully do aTransed d.. ~.
finances in order, improve the military
system. establish a police organization
throughout the empire cause the gentry
and people to thoroughly understand po-
iiticai affairs and thus by such preparation
lay the foundations Of constitutional gov
eminent.
Let the ministers and officials in the
capital and the provinces give thorough at
tention to these matters, and exert them
selves to secure success.
Constitutional Government.
I'm a few years, when the system shall
have been roughly outlined. We can. after
due consideration Of the circumstances.
collate and compare the methods OF other
nations and adopt a satisfactory form Of
constitutional government, as well as fix a
date for putting 1t into operation. That
date win depend upon the rate OF progress
being made. and will be proclaimed -ac-
cordingly to the empire
LET all the tartar generals. viceroys and
governors Of the provinces instruct the
literary classes and the common people to
rouse themselves to earnest efforts In be-
half OF education, in the hope that every
one may come to understand the real mean
ing of patriotism and comprehend those
principles by which the nation Is to be
united for the promotion Of civilization;
that private interests are not to be pur-
sued to the injury Of the public welfare: