The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-20
NEW CHINESE RULE 1 SHOWS EFFICIENCY
 "---@-------------- Foreign Legations Expressing Qualification Over Handling of Recent Critical
 Situation. REFORM PROGRAM ISSUED
 ----------------.---- Edict Says Officials Must Abandon All Abuses-Constitution Promise Re- peated--Governme Asks
 Sympathy.
REFORM PROGRAM ISSUED

Picking, Nov 19.--An official of the foreign board of the government, in reply to a direct request, today gave formal assurance that the new admin istration would promote with yigor the reforms inaugurated by the late Elm peror Kuang-hsu. A number of edicts with a political bearing have been pro- mulgated since November 15, and they all show that q progressive and mod ern government for the Chinese empire is intended. Several specific reforms already have been entailed for fulfill ment upon the regency of Prince Chun.
 Prince Ching, president of the board of foreign affairs. has forwarded di- rect to President Roosevelt per- sonal letter In tho name of Pu VI, the infant Emperor of China, setting forth the crisis through which the throne has passed during the last week. Similar letters have been sent to all the other powers friendly to China. These com munications make au appeal for sym pathy for and understanding of the new rulers of China. who are unaccus- toned to Chinese procedure, and em- phaslze the efficiency with which the events of the last week havo been con- ducted.
 Several of the foreign legations here have expressed their surprise and gra- tfication at the manner in which the govrnment Is managing the situation. II had been expected, up to the present time, that the death of the dowager empress would precipitate trouble, but the way in which the new government has assumed It's responsibilities has created confidence among the diplo- matists. and many of tho foreign ob- servers declare today that China has done as we'll under these trying cir cumstances as any other government confronted with similar difficulties could have done.
 An edlct ordering posthumous hon. ors for the late dowaEer empress was issued to-day and it enumerates for the fourth time since the death of her majesty the program of reforms to which the new regime is committed. These political edicts first began ap- bearing four days ago, when. in the name of the emperor and the grand council, two decrees were published cntallinR upon the infant emperor. Pu II, the performance of tho reforms all ready inaugurated by his predecessor. Oneeof these communica tions after specifying a number of the reforms in question, says:
 "Oflcials must purify their hearts, abandon all abuses and heartily obey previous edicts.
 with regard to the existing program years oi study have been given to It's preparatlon It's purposeis to establish constitution at China at the end Of nine years, and by completing what is loft unfinished you will comfort your spirit in heaven
 Another edct issued In the name of pu M ana says among other things. "Pu Ai will concern himself with changing the laws of tho empire 10 the end of making the country more pow erful; furthermore he will consider new methods of government which will arouse the admiration of Chinese and foreigners alike. We have reflected upon our heavy responsibility and arc aware of our weakness; consequently. we must depend upon officials great and small in Picking and in the prov inces 10 show public spirit and patriot ism In aiding the government Vice roys and governors shall harmonze tho people and arrange methods of gov ernment."
 Accurate Information concerning tho last da%s Of the emperor and dowager empress was obtained to-day from of- frlals of the palace. The various for eign legations. In attempting to deter mine the causes Of the death of tho emperor and the dowager empress hav' abandoned the poison theory and have concluded that the symptoms of tht emperor indicate that death resulted from neurathenia and cardiac weak ness with other complications. Tho foreign board denles emphatlcally and without qualification the rumors tha' either of their maicstles were poi soned,