The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-07

part OF the empire and they are now dis
cussing the chief features of western civil
ization. Many of the governors have es-
tablished schools FOR this purpose and are
educating them subjects along constitu
tional lines. The yiceroy of Marking who
rules about 10o.eoooOo on the lower
Yangtse Kiang has appointed lecturers,
who are giving nightly talks on modern
constitutional government and many of
the cities Of his dominion have assemblies
where the people come together every
week to discuss what they shall do when
allowed to vote.
The same movement is going on here in
north China Tientsn has It's constitu-
tional debating societies. 1t has organ
lied municipal councils and the city
fathers are attending night schools. The
same IS true of Hankow and other places
farther west, as well as of Canton and
the other big centers of the south. Indeed
this whole nation is in the throes of an in
tellectual and social revolution, and that
mighty body polite, which we know as
the celestial kingdom Is rejuvenating Its
soul.
How China Woke Up.
But let me tell you about this con-
stitutional movement. There is moth =
ing like 1t in history. The rulers of
one-fourth of the world suddenly re-
solved to give up their power and al
low their subjects to govern them
selves. They lay out the scheme ir
cold blood and inaugurate it without q
revolution. 1t Is not a spasmodic eff
fort, but a progressive movement which
will take almost a decade. 1t is to be
started at once In every part of the
empire, and Is SO Systematically planned
that It will fit these 400 almond eyed
millions to make their own laws and
to practically control their OWE govern
ment.
The story of the movement is inter-
esting 1t began during the war with
Japan, when the giant of modern
progr ess, in the person of the mix ado
drew back his mailed fist and swatted
the sleeping nation in the eye. 1t grew
as the European powers stole piece aft
er piece of Chinese property along the
seacoast, and it was already strong
when the Boxers rose in rebellion, and
the armies of the west caused the fiigil t
Of the empress dowager from Pekin.
The humiliation of China in being
forced to kotow to Germany for the
killing of Baron Ketteler was strong
push toward its modernization The
victory of the Japanese over the Rus
slams was another, and now the COM
mon people, the gentry and the of
change. The yellow giantess is sleep
ing no longer. She has pulled her dry
bones together and has sprung from her
couch with her almond eyes open. She
Is thoroughly aroused. and, with her
great soul-for great the soul of China
really is--she is casting about to fin
where she Is at" and how she shall
take her nightly part in the work of
the world.
The Constitutional Program.
The plan for the reorganization of
China was discussed in connection with
LII Hung Chang before his death. 1t was
finally laid out by the great dowager, as
sisted by Yuan Shih Kai, Chang Chi
Tung and other leading officials. Wn
Ting-fang, the Chinese minister at Wash
ington, had to do with it, and nearly
every governor and viceroy sent in sug-
gestions and advice In the form of me-
MORALS. The plans brought back by
Tuan Fang and his associates from Eu-
rope were thoroughly studied, and
scheme of local. provincial and national
government was laid out. This was first
put forth in the edicts of the empress
dowager in August, 1908, and the people
at once began to put them into action.
The work was proceeding in every prov
ince at the time of the deaths of the
great dowager and emperor last Novem-
Der, and one of the first proclamations of
the new administration was that these
constitutional reforms should be still car
ried on. The prince regent has an
nounced himself in favor Of them. and
is most active in their support.
The programme now in force extends
over nine years The first year Is devoted
to the preparation of the people for the
provincial assemblies by the viceroys and
governors. including the opening of
schools for the studying of self-govern-
ment by the cities, market towns and
villages.
During the second year members are to
be elected to the provincial assemblies,
and in the third they are to be organized
and In working order.
BY the fourth year there will be new
code of laws and new courts, and in tho
fifth new system of taxation will be
enforced.
The sixth year continues the preparation
of the people for the national parliament
and during the seventh the reorganization
of the government revenue and expendi-
lures will be taken up.
The year following the officials will be-
gin to consider the imperial household ex-
penses; they will establish a judicial bu-
reau and will begin to issue certificates.
In the ninth year the imperial consti-
tuition will be finally enforced and the i'm
perial parliament will be in session here
at PelSin.
The New China.
This is the bare outline of but few
of the principal provisions. The scheme
is elaborate, and it provides for thor
ough reorganization along modern lines.
There Is one great branch devoted to
the reforming of the courts, and this in
cludes the establishment of law schools
in every great city and at all the pro-
vincial capitals.
Another branch is devoted to the Great
ing of a modern army. the steps OF
growth going on from year, to year, and
a third deals with education and the
gradual organization of system of
schools which will make 1t compulsory
It is the same with the changes to be
made In revenues and taxation. Ev~rc-
thing is gradual, and in the end China
will be as far advanced as Japan today
and will have all the government ad-
yantages of other nations.
The Schools and the Constitution.
Take, for instance. the plan laid out
for the new school system. The year
1903 was largely devoted to the compost
ton Of easy text books along modern
lines This year the text books are being
published, and the laws have gone forth
fhat they must be used in all schools.
AZ tho Same time modern schools are
being started in all the large cities Next
wear the same programme is to be pushed
and bv 1912 1t is expected there will be
= public school IN every village and
market town Today the proportion OF
Chinese who can read and write is ex-
ceedingIy low. The nation n not an edu-