New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-20

ported that he cries day and night for his old
nurse
An edict ordering honors for the late Empress
DowageT issued to-day. and enumerates for
the fourth time since the death OF her majesty
the programme of reforms to which the
government is committed These political edicts
began TO appear four DAYS ago. when. in the
name OF the Emperor and the Grand Council.
two DEGREES eutafling the infant Emperor
Pa VI the accomplishment of the reforms be-
gun by his predecessor were published. one of
these communications. after specifying num-
Der OF the reforms in question, says
We have received reverentIy the decree of the
Empress Dowager appointing Pu VI to be En-
peror- As this prince shows promise or belnE
hlial and intelligent he count on the care
and support Of the Empress poWaSer, ana
through his devotion to affairs of state he may
bring tranquility TO the empire. Officials must
purify their hearts. abandon all abuses and
heartily obey previous edicts-
With regard TO the existing programme, years
Of study have been given to its preparation It's
purpose is 70 establish a constitution for China
at the end Of nine years. and by completing
what is left unfinished you will comfort your
spirit in heaven.
Another edict issued in the name of Pu "
says. among other things:
Pu VI will concern himself with changing the
laws Of the empire, 20 the end OF making the
country more powerful; furthermore. he VIII
consider new methods of government which will
the admiration of Chinese and foreigners
alike We have reflected upon our heavy
sponsbity and ara aware OF weakness;
consequently, must defend our officials, great
and small. in Peking and in the provinces, to
show public spirit and patriotism In aiding the
government Viceroys and governors snail mar
monte the people and arrange methods Of gov
eminent.
Still another edict, issued in the name Of the
late Empress Dowager, says:
The year before last the preparatory measures
for constitutional government were compared
and published, and this year decree setuns
forth the time limits for the granting Of a con-
stitution has been promulgated
Ny attention has been given to a myriad OF
affairs and my strength and my heart
hausted. Since last summer I have been III
and not able to assist in the muittudinous acairs
Of the government with tranquility. For long
I have been without appetite. nor have been
able TO sleep. On November IL came the sorrow
Of the death Of the Emperor. and it was then
impossible for me to exercise self-controL Fol-
lowing this day my illness increased until nov
not able to rise from my couch.
I look back to-day over fifty years Of sorrow
and trouble and even at the end Of my life my
anxieties still with and I can And no
respite.
Reform In the method Of government has be-
gun. and these ideas will be continued and de-
YelOped The Regent and all other officials should
exert themselves to strengthen the foundations
OF tina empire, Let the Emperor PU " make the
affairs OF the empire OF the first Importance. and
to this end let him be adequately instructed.
These edicts are considered 10 commit the new
government concusively TO a programme Of
reform and progress. and official of the For
eign Board, IN reply to direct request gave
formal assurance to-day that the new admins
tration would promote with vigor the reforms
started by Kuang-Hsu.
There is absolutely truth IN runors tele-
graphed here from Singapore and elsewhere
telling OF disorders In Picking and the death Of
Prince Ching who has forwarded direct to
President Roosevelt a personal letter in the
name Of Pu VI, the infant Emperor of China. de-
scribing the crisis through which the Throne has
passed. Similar letters have been sent TO all the
other powers friendly to China These COM
munications ask sympathy for the new rulers of
China and lay stress the way in which the
government has met the situation. Several Of
the foreign legations here have expressed their
surprise and qualification at the manner in
which the government is managing affairs.
Many Of the foreign observers say that China
has done as well under these trying circum-
stances as any other government confronted
with similar difficulties could have done
The provinces quiet and the governmental
machine continues to work well. The autumn
army manRuvres are being carried out, though
the programme has been shortened.