The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-01
LIGHT BREAKING IN THE EAST.
DISPATCHES from China Yesterday an

Dispatches from China yesterday an
nounced that there is strong belief in
the Empire that popular Parliament
period. Rumor has it that the throne
has decided to accede to the demands
made by the Senate and provincial
delegates for such representative
though his name sounds as if he were
a candidate for the Ananias Club,
stated yesterday, speaking as a mem
Der OF the grand council, that "thel
whole nation was agreed upon the de-
STABILITY of general Parliament.
This was taken by the Senators who
heard toto mean that their demand
would soon be granted.
The throne refused to consider a.
similar demand made in June by the
provincial assemblies. The late Eln-
press Dowager, whose dominating
mental characteristic was f'xedness of
purpose, was unwilling that there
should be a National Parliament until
1917, after nine years Of preparation.
When this decree was made known
popular unrest was manifest, and SEN
timent was strong that the date should
be made much earlier. Over the protest
of the provincial assemblies, the Prince
Regent adhered to the original pur-5
pose
q n on Ia AZ f1v, q
time on October g. One -half Of It's
membership had been appointed by the
thro. e, and the indications were, there
fore. that the body would be but the
reflection Of the Imperial will Yet,
1t took little time to ascertain the
fact that there was a decided "insur-
gent element in the Senate composed
of the provincial delegates. This fac
ton has fought determinedly to alter
the nature of the functions OF the
Senate and make it an executive body
rather than an advisory and practically
negative assembly. The recognition of
the Grand Council has been demanded.
y The rulers of the Chinese provinces
have been steadfast supporters Of the
request of the Senate for more direct
and substantial power.
Great progress was made. and last
"Wednesday the Senate by a practically
unanimous vote adopted memorial TO
the throne praying for the establish
ment of popular Parliament at the
earliest possible hour. The throne
ordered the Grand Council two days
later to consider the memorial. The
of Prince Yu Liang is
therefore. taken as prophetic of the
decision of the Grand Councillors In
favor of popular Parliament,
Constitutional government has been
in the air In China for some time. The
question is being studied carefully. BY
the Imperial edict Of 1907 a council Of
government was established known as
the Department Of Constitutional STUDY
and Investigation. It's chief function IS
to advise the Central Government as
10 the fundamental laws which II
thinks desirable The provincial bodies
actin similar capacity for8the prov
Iinces. a numbes. of unofficial political
associations have been formed to aid
IN the work of preparing China for
constitutional government. such as the
Association for Preparing Constitu-
tional Citizenship. the Constitutional
Discussion Society. the Association
for the study Of the Constitution, and
Others.
While the example Of other countries
and the influence OF its English
Speaking element and It's natives eda-
Gated In America and other countries
may have contributed to this awaken.
Ing, they alone have been. hardly
enough,to flre the Chinese nation. a
5mgpnarchy founded In lee b. C., with
constitutional aspirations, The re-
I sulting effects Of the Russo II japanese
War We're probably the main and I'M
mediate causes OF this squirting on at
the throne to an increasingly progres
lsslye apolicy and this auickening OF the
spopul WI ling Of national conscious,
|. ,lass, ssl nee hat wa r y a he native
IElareSs gTea ~ n q, gad u I; IT'S
did ii, ..sss 4, M IN