The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-17
CHINESE WANT
 A PARLIAMENT Assembly of Chinese Delegates
 Meets In Peking OPEN REVOLT EMINENT Even the Members of the National Army Are Said To Fear Reforms and Advance Ideas of Mod- ern Civilization
OPEN REVOLT EMINENT

Peking, July 16.-(Special )-There is at present here in Picking an assembly of delegates from the various provinces elected by the provincial assemblies. With them are also representatives from Chi nese communities abroad, from Austra- ha, the Philippines, Hawaii Indo- China ana other places where the Chinese are more enlightened, as result of living under foreign governments, and where, In consequence revolutionary organiza- tions have developed.
 |4 The purpose of this assembly-which is being watched closely by the government -is to obtain from the throne decree proclaiming national parliament. Eight of them are reported to have sworn, in their peculiar Chinese fashion, that they will kill themselves if the prince regent again refuses to grant their petition; while the whole number VOW that they will not again show their faces to their people-that is to say, they will not re- turn to their provinces until thA regent assents.
 The programme of the constitutional government, promulgated last year, pro- vides for gradual growth of the par hamentary system. For nine years minor provincial assemblies are to discuss the tffairs of their own districts, over which the throne will always retain absolute power; and during this term of prepara- ton education is to progress through schools and through the press, which is to enjoy a measure of liberty. But the re- formers have no mind to leave the pres- ent government in autocratic control for eight years longer.
 At the present moment, indeed, pecu- liar situation prevails in China It may crystalize at any moment into open re- Volt against the dynasty, although I must say it seems unlikely to do so. The movement is largely anti-foreign, as most disturbing movements have been in China for some time past. The mass of the Chinese believe that their greatest enemy is the foreigner--the European the Amer fcan and the Japanese, who are all class ed together
 The first and oldest hostility is that d- rested at the Manchu dynasty. The Manchus came as conquerors, and i'm posed the pigtail on the Chinese. But, though the premium of few taels month is still paid by the government to every Manchu family, the assimilation of Athe Manchus by marriage and in language in customs has tended largely to miti- gate the ill-feeling. So that at the pres ent time, if the ruling dynasty were able to cope successfully with foreign ag- gressing, 1t Is probable that Chinese hos tility would assume a less threatening at- titude than it Is now displaying
 Within the last few days the minister Nf war has thought it expedient to issue orders for the rifles of some of the pro- vincial troops to be rendered useless for firing because the revolutionary elements are endeavoring to win them over.
 The payang, or national troops. a di-, vision of whom Is composed entirely of Manchus, are better equipped than the provincials, and many of their officers have been trained abroad. It is upon these modern soldiers that the dynasty relies. am told, nevertheless by lead ing Chinese who pretend to know, that the Chinese troops in this army are all in favor of advancement and reforms. 1t is said, in fact. that they are support ing. though only by weight of opinion. the appeal which will be made next week for the immediate opening of the prom ised parliament.
 The present government conducts af- fairs as best 1t can. keeping off the Chi- nese and the foreigners by the same means-that of procrastination and petty concessions The eastern policy of the evasion is aided by the system of main- tainng in high places men who speak no foreign language. It Is known that Wu Ting Fang was recalled from Wash ington because he talked too much, and that qualification which decided the Appointment of his successor as minister of the United States was ignorance of English. An important change which seems imminent in Pekin Is influenced ht would seem, in the same way. Liang Tung Ton, the only English speaking member of the Wal Wu Pu, the foreign yi1xr nttt of office owing to protracted illness. It may be that he will not be able to re- turn to his post, in which event his place will be taken by Tsow Chai Lai, man of the old order, who speaks no foreign tongue. There are, of course, great advantages to the ministers of country harassed as China Is, in being able to speak to foreign diplomatists and concession seekers only through inter preters-whose translations can be dis lvowed if expedient. The Chinese government consists in he first instance of the prince regent, he Emperor being but years old. This young man, not 30 years of age. is ad- ,jsed by a grand council consisting at present. of three Manchus and two Chi hese. The most prominent of the coun- .iIIors, the man who is said, indeed, to Fnle the country, is the venerable Prince -hing. For the regent who undoubtedly neahs well, and desires the advancement bf China, is strong enough neither in eharacter nor experience, while he does bot appear to understand exactly what changes are necessary or how they should be brought about. nan who knows his own mind. He is - official of the old school. It Is com nonlv understood that no favor Is ob- aimed from the throne unless Prince Ching receives the proper 'squeeze"- he local term for the commission of ribe. He is a man of great wealth. and ives in style becoming, in Chinese es- imation, the exalted position which he odds.
 Ma Tung is the second in power on the srand Council, a man of craft and sub lety. with first-hand knowledge of no other form of government than that which has undergone little change in his country for many centuries. The ther councillors are chosen largely by he favor of these two their Qualifica- Ions being in one instance beautiful handwriting, in another classical scholar hip Yet these grand councillors could ot be called reastionaries They have 0 desire to go back to Boxer days, and ttempt to drive the foreigners out It
 generally supposed thct Prince Ching ealixed the error of the anti-foreign movement even in 1900 , The Regent and his council are pre-v airing the country for the new govern hent which 1t must take on sooner or kter They have promised to grant the <~~sfA ~1ln .wzA nk \ &x1wf vaAA