New-York tribune., 1907-01-13
REFORM WORK IN CHINA
Real Improvement TO Be Erpected
Legation Secretary Says.

washington, Jan IA comprehensive review of
the remarkable change that Is taking place China
as result OF the proulEation Of the decree
recognising the Chinese government II supplied to
the State Department by Edward T. Williams. Chi
nese secretary to the American Legation at Pc
king After reciting the orders for tho formation Of
the two commissions which were to deal with re-
form projects Mr.. Williams says that for moro
than a month these commissions have been holding
daily sessions and that two strong parties have
ooen struggling for leadership, ono bent secur-
Ing liberal government modrn lines and the
other determined that there shall be no departure
from the traditions Of the fathers
Az far as It has gone, their report 10 a COM
promise. but many valuable features arc retained
Particularly worthy Of note Is the abandonment Of
the scheme for cabinet and Of the proposed con-
soidation Of the council OF custom Affairs with the
now board OF finance. probably because OF foreign
opposition to further Interference with the customs
administration. The edIot itself hints at the grsat-
est difficulty which has been encountered In the re-
form movement. namely. worship Of the past" for
nowhere. says Mr.. Williams. does the dead hand
weigh moro heavily upon the living than In China,
ana the hrst essential to success In any new
ment Is to show either that It 10 not an innovation
or at least that It Is not hostile 70 the spirit Of the
fathers
The chief feature In the edict II the manifest en-
dsavor to approach tho IDEAL OF "one man one
ofnce" Equally important is the abolition of tho
useless multiplication OF Offices. ahd with the ex-
oeption Of the Board OF Foreign Relations whose
composition cannot be changed without the per-
mission Of the powers. there will henooforth es
only one head to each OF tho governing boards
Some OF the old designations obsolete. and the
titles have been modernized. The board OF pun
ishnents never fully described in the title
which will now be called the board OF law, corre-
spending with Department Of Justice. The
new department. called the Board OF Posts and
Coulnunicauons II said to be in line with the
most advanced Western nations policies;
While the tiue IL not ripe for the estabshnfent of
q parliament partial subsdtuts is Afforded BY
the appointment Of council ito assist in govern
people, though they not permitted to nominate
elect its members The censorship Is retained
as a terror to corrupt Incompetent officials. The
press 10 yet IN its infancy In China and 10 said
be characterized by suoh yenalty, according to Mr.
Williams. to make 10 unwise 20 give Il fuu
liberty
Mr. Williams calls attention to the fact that the
commissioners continuing their work of reform
and that the report forming the basis Of the ediot
already issued u partial The provincial Civil Ser
vice Is receiving attention, and this Is said to
"on the whole, the ediots must be regarded as
history Of China" Mr. Williams says. and while
the sanguine Will undoubtedly be disappointed IN
the results, there seems to be no reason to doubt
that the desire OF the throne and OF many patriotic
officials for reform is most sincere. and that soms
measure of Improvement will follow: We may hope
at least that the changes now being inaugurated
Will prove to be but the beginning OF movement
that will bring China into line with the most pro-
sressve nations of the world