New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-26
THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION.

The so-caled constitution which was promul-
gated at Picking several weeks ago was presum-
ably not the real constitution under which the
Chinese Empire, according to the voluntary
promise of its sovereign, is before long TO be
governed but rather a detailed declaration Of
the principles upon which that instrument IS to
be developed. This is Indicated by the fact
that the present instrument contains provisions
for the creation of a constitutional commission
next year, and for the PRONUNCIATION of the COM
pleted constitution in the year 1916. Nearly
two years ago the constitution was imperally
promised, to be actually bestowed upon the en-
pre in ten years. Since then several Confirma-
tons of that promise have been made and sew
eraI important steps toward its fulflment have
been taken, reassuring the Chinese people and
the world Of the good faith of the sovereign.
This new PRONUNCIATION at Picking IS doubtless
another such confirmation and another such
step, somewhat more positive and explicit than
those which have preceded it.
Two noteworthy features of this pronounce.
ment are to be Observed materially differentiat-
ing it from any other within our remembrance.
One Is its studied provision Of ways and means
for a gradual development of the constitutional
system, with chronological prescription Of the
successive steps which are to be taken In that
process. Usually the rule has been to bring q
constitution into being after the tabled fashion
of Minerva, on the theory that the people are
always ready for such a change, or if they are
not that the best way to prepare them IS to
plunge them abruptly into the new system The
Chinese mind regards the matter differently and
takes q different method of procedure, which is
probably better suited to Chinese capabilities
and needs and which might have been better
for some western nations. The other feature
referred TO is that this PRONUNCIATION promises
In the end to make China a constitutional or
parliamentary country, "Iike Japan or Russia"
The comparison is noteworthy. 1t may be re-
garded as natural and logical, since Japan and
Russia are the countries best known to the ma
iQrity of Chinese. But 1t doubtless is indicative
of the ideal at which China aims. She does not
seek the British or the German system. They
are foreign to her. She may not want either Of
them, or may realize that it is not IN the genius
Of her people to secure and practise it SO she
naturally turns to her Oriental kin for an exam
ple-for Russia Is more Asiatic in spirit than
European.
1t is also noteworthy and commendable that
the sovereign has taken the initiative in prom
Using the constitution without pressure from the
people. and Is proceeding with fulflment of It
in good faith. That fact gives to the Emperor,
or to the Empress Dowager, or to both Of them,
a certain unique distinction which the sover-
eigns Of some other lands might we'll c0vet It
will be a gratifying page in the annals of China
on which it is recorded that that country so
much despsed by others, has set an example
in enlightened progress such as Is scarcely par
alleled IN the history Of any other nation.