The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-09-26
CONSTITUTION
fcontinued from PAGE II

Revenue. who is at the head OF the OPP
position to the proposed changes.
The same journal remarks that there
is no doubt, from news received from
the Capital, that His Majesty the En-
peror is thoroughly in sympathy with
the question of a Constitutional Gov
eminent. but, like the Empress Dow
ager. recognizes the unfitness of the
people under present circumstances to
undertake self-government. His Maj
esty,s insistence upon the Importance
of beginning this era of reform by the
reorganization of the official system
has no meaning in it other than the
cleansing in earnest of the Augean
STABLES OF the Mandarinate. This, as
every student of Chinese history must
recognize, contains the key of the whole
situation.
In view of the great Importance of
the Chinese Imperial Edict regarding
the proposed grant of a Constitution,
we supplement the version already
given in our columns by the following
full translation from the North China
Daily News:
In obedience to the instructions of
her Imperial Majesty the Empress
Dowager, the Emperor issues the fol-
lowing decree: Ever since our Impe-
rial House began to rule this Empire
we have ever had the best interests
of the people in our hearts and have
always taken up anything that at the
time seems advantageous to our sub
iects At the present day we hold re-
lations with the various nations of the
earth and learn that there is amongst
them a mutual interdependence On and
with each other and this leads US to
consider our own position, which seems
pressing and fraught with danger, un-
less we seek for wise and experienced
men to assist us in the government
of the Empire. For this reason we sent
a special mission of high officials to
visit various parts of the world to en-
qufre into the system of government in
them Our High Commissioners, Duke
Tsai Tsen and his colleagues, have
now returned from their travels, and in
all their reports to us they are unani-
NOUS in the declaration that the main
cause of the backward condition of this
Empire is due to the lack of confidence
between the highest and lowest, be-
tween the throne and ministers and
the ma sses. Indeed, officials know not
how to protect the people, whilst, on
the other hand, it follows that the peo-l
pie are ignorant of how to guard the
sa fety of their country. Foreign coun-
tries really become wealthy and power
full by granting d Constitution to the
masses and allowing UNIVERSAL suffrage
to all Hence sovereign and common
altv are interlaced as to their common
interests and what affects the one Will
surely also affect the other The peo-
pie of foreign countries elect their
elders to rule over them. The power or
each is clearly defined. the methods OF
obtaining funds for government ex-3
penses properly regulated. Everything
is controlled under proper system and
aims at the welfare of the masses AS
for ourselves, it is necessary at present
RI make a careful investigation into the
matter and prepare ourselves to lmi-
tate this government by constitution
in which the supreme control must be
in the hands of the throne, While the
interest of the masses shall be given TO
the elect, advanced to such position oy
the suffrages of the masses, This, II
is to be hoped, will be the means OF
strengthening the foundations of an
eyerla sting Empire. But at this TIME
of the day no method of procedure has
as vet been drawn up, whilst the IN
Il H.
tied. Any impetuosity shown in intro
ducing these reforms will at the end be
so much labor lost. How can we then
face our subjects under such clrcum-
stances and faith in US? 1t is incum-
belt upon us as a beginning, there
fore. to reform the official system, next
to revise carefully the laws in their
n ost minute details, promote and en-
courage universal education, regulate
the finances and sources of revenues,
reorganize the army and establish a
strong gendarmerie throughout the En-
pire The gentry and people will then
understand the kind of government
needed for the country and be prepared
to start the foundations of a ConStltu-
tional Government whilst the officials,
high and low, in Picking and else
where will use their best endeavors 10
bring our desires to triumphant COM
pletlcn. In a few years time, When
it be found that there is rough out
line OF what is needed, then will the
time come for appointing a day for the
Inauguration de facto of a Constltu-
tional Government. The whole Empire
will then be notified of the fact. we
would therefore, earnestly exhort our
vicercys and governors of provinces TO
issue proclamations to their people, TO
show an enthusiastic desire for educa-
| ton, TO be loyal and patriotic, to sac
riOce for the good of all, and to refrain
from destroying a grand structure
| through petty strife and private quar-
rels. Let all observe law and order ana
prepare themselves to enjoy the solo
| advantages of Constitutional Govern