Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-17
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Prince Chun is the only Chinese
ruler that was ever outside the boun-
! daries of that empire. He has not
seen much Of the outside civilization,
but has visited Germany. France and
Switzerland, when he was sent by the
Chinese government four or five years
ago to present to the German kaiser
expressions of sorrow and regret at
the tragic death of Baron Kettler. the
German minister to China. who was
murdered by a mob near the ministry
of foreign affairs. in the streets of Pc
king, during the Boxer trouble. The
prince sailed from Shanghai, attended
tung, recently minister to Washington,
as his chief aid and interpreter.
He conducted himself with great dig
nifty through most embarrassing or
miration of the German officials and
public. 1t was expected he would re-
turn to China by way of England ana
the United States, but. for some rea-
son; he changed his plans and went
same route that he followed on his trip
to Germany. Since that memorable
experience Prince Chun has occupied
several prominent positions In the gov.
eminent at Picking. preparing himself
for the responsibility he is now to as
sumo. He has been a member Of the
cabinet, and one of the four chief sec
retaries, the highest authorities In the
Chinese government, for a year or more
know, he has performed his duties
with ability and bears a high repu-
tation.
About four years ago Prince Chun mar
.sd ssvshsr Of Of the chinese army
md for many years the right hand and
most trusted adviser OF the empress
dowager Jung-lu exercised q greater
influence in China than any other man
after the death OF Ii Hung Chang. a.
or 20 broad in his views as the latter
He came to the front most prominently
during the Boxer troubles. as he COM
manded the Chinese army at that time.
The New Emperor.
The new emperor, Pu-Yi. is the son
of Prince Chun and the daughter Of
Jung-lu, and In him are thus united the
two most influential branches of the pres
ent Manchu dynasty. The child is under
three years Of age and of course very
little can be said about him. The late
emperor was about as old at the time
he ascended the throne. thlrty-four years
ago, and although foreign IDEAS are be-
ginning to penetrate the Forbidden city
il Is probable that he will be educated
in the same manner as his predecessor
and be kept within the walls of the
palace and behind screens all the rest Of
his life. II may be stimulating to the
upon a throne. but It is attended with
little comfort or pleasure. II the little
emperor could be allowed to live like
other human beings and enjoy the ordi-
nary experiences of life in association
with the rest of mankind. If he could
have a chance to see and learn and do
like other children. he would be much
more competent to exercise authority
when 1t is intrusted to him. But the
etiquette of the Chinese court is very
because at death he becomes divine. and
little Pu-Yi will be kept confined like
a bird to a cage the rest of his life.
The death Of the emperor and empress
dowager will probably not affect the
progressive and enlightened policy that
has governed the administration OF Chi
nese affairs since the Boxer troubles.
Yuan Chih-kai. the successor of Ii Hung
Chang as viceroy Of Pechli. who is now
master Of the situation. has been the
most influential advocate of the reforms
that are now going on. and he undoubt-
eddy will direct affairs in the future as
he has for the last year or two. Prince
Ching the nominal head Of the cabinet.
who occupies q position that corresponds
to a prime minister in other governments.
remains in Office. Although he has
reached a great age. he Is nevertheless In
excellent health and Is admired and re-
spected for his wisdom and learning.
Governmental Program Outlined.
The program for gradual approach to
a parliamentary government under a con-
sritution will undoubt eddy be carried out
according to an edict proclaimed by the
late empress dowager last August II pro-
vides for a gradual change in the system
years and the education of the people
in the meantime so as to understand the
purpose and the benefits OF the reforms
The following Is the program briefly
stated:
l9OS-Local self-government Rules for
reorganization of finance Fusion of the
Manchu and Chinese military. Revision
of criminal code.
I9O9-Election of provincial legislatures.
Election Of q constitutional commission.
Local self government bureaus establishe ed.
Census. Provincial budgets. Determine
ton Of functions of Picking officials. Is
suing of school books.
191O-Provincial assemblies organise. Lo-
cal self government established. Census
reports Tax rate fixed. Organization Of
provincial officials. Courts OF law at pro-
vincial capitals and treaty ports. Publish
ing criminal code Extension Of schools.
Preparation for organization Of subpre-
lecture. department and district police.
1911 - Local self-government extended.
Publication OF expenditures. Imperial
budget. Rules on imperial taxation. Rules
civil officials. Extension Of schools. Codes
of municipal and commercial law and
civil and criminal procedure prepared and
published.
1912 - Completion OF general arrange
ment of urban self-government. Census
reports. Publication Of taxation laws Of
empire. Perfection of arrangements for
provincial and lesser courts. Extension
Of schools.
1013-Police registration Imperial budget
Of variable expenses. Establishment Of q
supreme court. Courts OF law in prefec-
lures, subprefectures, departments and
districts. Criminal code promulgated.
Urban self government established. Rules
| for rural self-government. Rules for
urban police.
| l914-Imperial budget Of fixed expenses.
Publication Of system of national ac-
| counts. Rural self-government estab-
lished. Rules for lower courts.
1915-Imperial household expenses fixed.
Organization Of a controllers ONCE. Pub
lie accounting enforced. Lower courts