Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-20
Follow Russia's Example.

The important edict referred to In the
Picking cablegram. relative to the establish
ment Of a council Of elaboration. has been
in course Of preparation for more than six
months. The American legation at Picking
has been keeping a close watch on the de-
velopment Of this great scheme for the
evolution Of the Chinese despotism into a
constitutional government. and the State
Department has been kept fully advised OF
the project, which, 1t Is needless to say.
meets with full approval here. As In the
case Of Japan, America stands ready to
lend every assistance to China IN adopting
modern methods Of government and in at
tanning to the rank Of fully civilized
state.
There Is reason to believe that the deci-
sion Of the Chinese throne to publish the
edict at this time was reached as an I'M
mediate result Of the return to China. from
his post here. of Sir Chentung LANG Cheng.
who had spent the best part Of the time OF
his four years stay in Washington In de-
wishing plans for the Inauguration Of many
reform measures designed to cure the Ills
In the present administrative system of
China. Indeed. 1t was currently reported
when the minister was recalled that the
reason was to be found in his govern
ment's desire to avail itself Of his Ameri-
can experience for the development OF the
reform program about to be adopted.
Local self-Government.
secure a constitutional or parliamentary re-
form Of government for China, as explained
in its text. the Chinese people are not
ready. through inexperience. for the inau-
guration OF fully fiedged parliament. In
termediate steps are necessary, and these
are provided for In the decree. The most
important Is the creation. under section 4.
Of "chih chen-yuan." or ministry for
discussing state affairs. The purpose Of this
body Is to evolve reform measures through
intimate association and conference between
the great viceroys or their delegated rep
resentatives. and the head men to be chosen
by the various cities and towns directly.
When such preliminary laws are adopted
as will insure local self government through
leaders chosen by the people themselves,
1t will be time to consider the next step.
namely. the selection of delegates to a con-
vention in the nature Of parliament So
in fact, China is following closely in the
footsteps Of the Russian government in its
efforts to establish a constitutional parlia-
ment In the shape OF duma.
Other Points Of the Edict.
Other points Of the edict forecasted by re-
ports received at the State Department are
in brief as follows:
The Franco-Japanese agreement is to be
studied In its effects upon China and means
devised to safeguard the national integrity.
The abolition of the e'oa-ch's cheng
ClfH-AuoI, OiAC0 VI lHNeStl8dCOn OF Do
litical affairs. now Of only nominal service.
The extension to the other provinces Of
the model local government system erected
in Tientsin by Yuan Shih-Kai
The adoption Of compulsory education.
The establishment OF government good
faith with the people.
The reorganization of the lu-chun or war
board.
The preparation for the gold standard
The punishment Of Chinese officials who
discriminate between Manchus and Chinese
The edict closes with an invitation to
high officials to memorabilia the throne,
when they are seriously ILL., in which case
the memorial will receive special attention.