Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27
Empress Dowager Decreed Reforms.


which have so greatly attracted the at
tcntion of the OUTSIDE world, If not di
rcctIy inspired by her, have been dccreed
under her authority, and It is under
stood that she heartily entered upon
lheir enforcement. The summons to
pekine of Chang Chih-tung and Yuan
Shi-kai, the two most powerful and add
vanced men of the empire, that she
might have them near the imperial pal
ace in her last days, was an indication
Of the spirit which animated her. 1t
WAS after their arrival that the memo
Iable edlct was issued on the eth OF
August last, proclaiming the intention
of the throne to give a constitution to
the country within nine years.
Before his death kwang HSu, with
The approval OF the empress dowaScr,
chose Prince Chun as regent Of the en-
I.irc and named the Iarter's son, Pa ii,
infant of three years. TO succeed him
emperor. This act was in accord
:iace with the laws and the uSageS of the
MauChu dynasty. There is no heir appar-
rnt in China. The reiguing sovereign
has the right to select before his death
or in his viii any one Of his sons as his
successor. and. in default Of sons, one
of his near kinsmcn of the imperial
family Prince CHuu. the recently acs-
l-suIted regent, Is one of the younger
hers of tftc late emperor. two other
brothers being still alive. Such :, selec-
ton is not unusual The famous en-
/
after sixty years reign. had seventeen
sons, and chose the fifteenth son as his
successor. Tao kwang, deceased in 1880.
I'D nine sons and selected the fourth
.fS emperor.
Government Under New Emperor
The name or style of the reign Sc
l."trd for the lnfauc emperor is Huang
IHag The cabinet, or grand council,
which viii advise the regent, Prince
''aun, consists Of the following five
eminent persons: Prince Ching, mem
Der OF the imperial family. president of
b" Wal wu-pu. or foreign office; Hsi
sun. a ManChu and a grand secretary;
The vIccroy Chang Chih-tung, La Chuan
LIN. late NIcerUy of SZechuan, and Yuan
Shi-kai. minister Of foreign affairs. The
'lbInol usually consists of an equal
ra1rnDcr OF Manchu ana Chinese mem
heFS. y vacancy exists by III" promo
f5ol of Prince Chun 10 BE- regent
These Important changes in the state
t.ty" taken place without any disturb
aA,eS OF the public order or any mani
station of discomfort. which auSurS
v-ll tor the country and the emperor.
The regent has the advantage over all
a. IN" preceding rulers of the empire In
1Hat he is acquainted with foreign lands.
having made journey TO Europe few
ears ago. accompanied 10y Sir Chem ung
LANG ChenS. late minister to the United
states. The liberal and progreSsivs.
views uf the NV regent seem to be
shown IN his prompt recognition of the
recent reform measures OF The late en-
peror. and especially in his edict dcclar-
ing his intention 10 carry forward the
preparation for the promised constitu-
lion
No Harm to Cut Xmas Trees.
There has been so much said about the
4Do.Upo trees that have been sacrificed
this year for Christmas celebrations in
the United States that l asked Chief For
ester Clifford Pinchot whether he conSid-
cred the custom menace TO the move
me0t for the preservation Of our forests
and whether in his opinion il ought TO bo
Inainta med. Mr.. PInChOt said that lie had
been asked the same question by many
individuals Sunday school and other or
GduiZalionS which make "A point Of glad
,icpinG the lives of children. and had re
piled III every case that trees are for USE
and that lie know: of no other Use L
which they could BE- pat which would 81
we'll contribute toward the good Of man
lju3-
The number OF trees cut for this US,