The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-12-09
CHINA MOVING
WITH RAP|D|TY
Popular Government Has Gain
ed Strong Foothold in the
Oriental Kingdom

Peking, Dec. 9-Political events in
China have moved with rapidity that
appears almost revolutionary when it
is considered that the provincial as
semblies representing the first step
toward popular government in the
empires history Of thousands of
years, were inaugurated so recently
as October IA, 1909.
The first imperial senate met on
October 3, last. The late empress
dowager had decreed that a general
representative body to be known as
the imperial parliament be convoked
in 1915 at the end Of q nine year Pc
riod Of preparation.
However, the people having had
taste of popular government were i'm
patient and the senate soon after it
was organized, demanded the imme-
date convocation of a general par
Lament. The throne and grand coun-
Gil yielded to the extent of advanc-
ing the date for the Inauguration of
parliament to 1918, decree making
November 4.
It was at first thought that the
senate, one-half of the membership of
which was appointed by the throne,
would be subservient, but early in its
existence, 1t developed striking in
dependence and exhibited spirit that
was almost rebellious.
When few weeks ago this attitude
was changed notably, the general be-
lief was that the body had been in
timidated. An increased number of
troops in the streets was mistaken as
an evidence of the governments de-
termination to suppress the activities
of the provincial delegates and their
supporters.
1t appears now that these and 9TH
ers who urged still earlier meeting
Of parliament had no intention of
abandoning their campaign. but simp-
ly altered their tactics and embarked
upon a plan Of private, though un-
doubtedly forceful persuasion.
At series of secret sessions It
was decided that they would not fur
ther tolerate a grand council. which
was not responsible to the imperial
senate and would not execute that
assemblys resolutions.
Briefly stated that senate resolved
to relieve Prince Chun, the regent, of
absolute power and make the country
a constitutional empire forthwith.
The reported compliance of the
throne is regarded as compromise.
The senate will not press for an i'm
mediate parliament but proposes to
conduct the government on a single
chamber basis until 1913.
It is understood the venerable
Prince Ching of Boxer memory, the
present power behind the throne, will
retire and that Duke Tsai-Tse will
become prime minister.
In this connection it Is recalled that
the duke was member Of the travel
ing commission for the investigation
Of foreign parliamentary governments
in 1905-06 and that in the earlier year
his life was attempted in this city.
He was slightly injured by bomb
but when urged by his family to re-
sign from the commission, replied
that he would willingly die If his
death would give to China a constitu-
tional government.
The reasonable. capable and de-
termined efforts which the senate has
hitherto displayed had been welcom-
ed by we'll wishers of China in the
foreign colony, who perceived an era
of advancement. though not without
possible calamities
The senate at present is discussing
the financial. budget in committee and
seriously reducing what it considers
the unnecessary expenditures of the
old regime. The body, however. is
not likely to attack the gravest bur-
den, namely the Manchu pensions
which extend to every member of the
conquering race Of the Chinese,
though It Is said that there is de-
termination to cut OFF these pensions
when the power Of the lesislating as
sembly is completely electoral.