The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-11-05
CHINA PLAN TO
ESCAPE DESPOTISM
NEW CONSTITUTION REMARK.
ABLE DOCUMENT, PRESENTING
A NINE YEARS PROGRAMME.


A NINE YEARS PROGRAMME.
PEKING, Sept. 15.-The Constitution
under which it is planned to lead
China from ner present form of des-
system of administration is a remark
able and highly interesting document.
1t was promulgated in this city on
August q of this year, and is of great
length. The preamble alone fills 20
large pages and is written in an in
congruous mixture of Chinese classical
terms and new japanese Technology
invented to fit Western meanings. Its
translation has been most difficult
The phraseology is always Oriental,
poetic in some places, while in others
it typifies the strivings of the writers
to make clear to hesitating minds the
outline of a political future of a new
and untried variety. 1t is an effort to
arouse from passivity the toiling mil
lions of the interior.
STRIKING CLAUSES IN DOCUMENT
The subject is approached in a most
serious if not prayerful attitude.
Broadly speaking, the document fol-
lows the Constitution of Japan. Some
of it's most striking clauses follow:
I'VE look to our Empress Dowager
and Emperor to 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 peo-
pie within the wide seas are reverent-
ly grateful.
"The trainers of the Constitution
are apprehensive and beg, as the CON
dition of the country is .perilous and
the hearts of the people are uneasy,
trouble within and calamity from with
out, danger threatening and no parlia-
ment at the side to investigate mat
ters, that urgent measure may be taken
to overcome half-heartedness and pro-
crastination; that there may be peace
above and completion below.
I'VE have therefore, laid down the
general principles of the Constitution
and the programme for the work Of
, getting everything in readiness in nine
years. These may not be changed in
the least particularly.
There will be boundless daily i'm
provement. May the 'silken sounds
descend to inform the empire and fix
the road Tor 10000 years, comforting
the hopes of the myriads who long for
peace"
NINE YEARS PROGRAMME.
The nine years programme is as
| follows:
34th year of Kuang Hsu, or 1908
Local self-government. Rules for re-
organization OF finance. Fusion of
the manchu and Chinese military. Re-
vision of criminal code.
35th pear, or 1909-Election Of pro-
vincial assemblymen. Election to con-
stitutional commission. Local self
government bureaus established. Cen
sus. Provincial budgets. Determine
lions of functions of Picking officials
Issuing of school books.
36th year, or 1910-Provincial as
semblies open. Local self-govern-
ment established. Census reports. Tax
rate fixed. Organization of provincial
officials. Courts of law at provincial
capitals and treaty ports. Publish
ing criminal code Extension OF
schools. Preparation of organization
of subprefecture, department and dis
trict police.
37th year, or 1911-Local self-gov-
eminent continued. Public account
Imperial budget. Rules on imperial
taxation. Rules governing appoint
ments and salaries of civil officials
Extension of schools. Codes of mu-
nicipal and commercial laws and civil
and criminal procedure drawn up.
3Sth year, or 1912-Compietion OF
general arrangement of urban self-gov.
eminent. Census reports. Publication
of taxation laws OF empire. Perfec.
ton of arrangements for provincial
and lesser courts. Extension Of
schools
39th year, or 1913-Police registra.
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