The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-19

ONAh9 1uGoQdy, sept. lo.-1HG constitution under which 1t Is planned to lead China from her present form or despotic government to a parlia- mentary system of administration, is a remarkable and highly interesting document.
 It was promulgated in this city Au- gust 27 of this year and is of great length. From beginning to end one sees the efforts of the authors to con- vey to the Chinese mind an under standing of things hitherto beyond their comprehe ension.
 Broadly speaking. the document fol- lows the constitution of Japan. Some of its most striking features are:
 We look to our empress dowager and emperor and see that they take the measure of Heaven and Earth as their measure and the heart of the people as their heart. The officials and people within the wide seas are reverently grateful.
 The establishment of constitution al government in China has been the imperial will. It was carefully pre- pared for the beginning and the end must both he carefully planned; l there must be no empty verbiage with out real substance. The people should earnestly fulfill | all the duties without selfish reserva- tions, which would hinder the public welfare and without rash impatience which would confuse the regulations. not looking upon the matter as too easy, so that the deliberations become empty wrangling. not falling to under ' stand the limitation of powers, so as to make laws which overstep authori- ty.
 'The sovereign has absolute power | which he exercises in constitutional l forms. 'In regard to the proposition to be made for opening parliament. 1t is like building a house-workmen and ma | terial must be gathered. The house may then be planned and worked out. The work must be watched day and night without intermission." l The framers of the constitution are apprehensive and beg that urgent measures may be taken to overcome half-heartedness and procrastination; {; that there may be peace above and completion below. We have therefore laid down the general principles of the constitution and the program of the work for getting everything in readi- ness in nine years. These may not be changed in the least particular"
 Fourteen laws are then submitted as follows:
 l. The Ia Ching Emperor will rule supreme over the Ia Ching empire for | one thousand generations in success sion and be honored forever.
 2. Majesty of the sovereign.
 3. Right of promulgating laws.
 {. 'convocation, suspension. exten- sion and dissolution of parliament.
 5. Appointment, payment, promo tion, degradation of officials. 6. Command over army and navy. '. Power to make war, peace treaties, to receive and appoint am- bassadors.
 B. Martial law.
 g. Rewards and pardons.
 TO- Right over judges and the ad- ministration of laws.
 II. Injunction.
 | 12. Right of raising funds when parliament is not in session. | t3. Right of fixing the expense of the imperial household
 14. Respecting authority over the | imperial elan.
 It Is then set forth that on the dis solution of parliament the people shall be called on to elect a new parliament "MeScy is from above" the document | goes Oh, officials below may not ar rogate 1t to themselves. | "Officers and people who keep with | in the law will have freedom of speech, l of the press and of assemblies. They shall not be liable to arrest or restric- | tions or punishments except as pre- scribed by law; they shall not be dis | turbed without cause in their possess sion of their property. nor interfered with in their dwellings, and they have | the obligation to pay taxes and rem der military service and the duty of | obedience to the law of the land ''Members of parliament shall not | speak .disrespectfully of the court, nor islander others. violation of this law will be punished"
 The nine year program is as fol- l lows:
 Thirty fourth year of Kuang Hsu, or | 190S-Local self-government. Rules for reorganization of finance. Fusion of the Manchu and Chinese military Revision of criminal code.
 Thirty. fifth year, or 1s09--Electfon of provincial assemblymen. Election to constitutional commission. Local self government bureaus established Census. Provincial budgets. Deter yninstions of functions of Picking of- ficials. Issuing of school books l