Milford chronicle., 1911-11-03
CHINA GIVES
CONSTITUTION
frightened Government Grants
Sweeping Reforms.
MAY COME TOO LATE
Imperial Edict Apologies For Past
Neglect and Gives Free Pardon to
All Rebels and Political Offenders.


Neglect and Gives Free Pardon to
All Rebels and Political Offenders.
More edicts from the throne have
plunged China deeper into reign OF
terrOr. and few days will determine
the future course oil the empire.
Complete capitulation to the de-
mands Of the rebels is made, but they
declare that the surrender has come
too late and that the revolutions s
will continue and stop only when the
government is in their hands.
The revolutionists are skeptical of
the good faith of the throne, and their
cause is strengthened by the evident
terror that has seized the ruling dy-
nasty.
One of the edicts issued IN the name
OF the infant emperor ends Manchu
rule The transfer of cabinet offices to
the native Chinese is ordered. and the
throne pledges that hereafter Chinese
and Manchu will be treated on equal
footing.
This is interpreted to mean that
the system of pensions for the Man
chus has been cut off The Manchus
are thoroughly aroused and mas
sacre Of the Chinese is feared. The
younger Manchu princes are reported
ready to lead the slaughter
The Chinese are aroused by the
cruelty Of the imperial troops in burn
ing Hahkow after capture The re-
ports that the rebel forces have re-
captured the railroad station at Han
kow have reorganized and are fight /
ing the advance OF the imperial troops, /
has given courage to the Chinese.
The Manchus fear the investment of T
the capital by the rebels, while the /
Chinese are anxious over the possi-
bility OF a massacre by Manchus. Both .
parties are appealing to the legations
for protection. The latter are taking
precautions against any eventnality
Premier Ching is using his influence
10 curb any tendency toward violence.
In an imperial edict the throne hum
bly, apologies for its past neglect and
grants an immediate constitution, with
q cabinet from which mobiles shall be
excluded, and free pardon for the
rebels and all political offenders.
The government has received re-.
ports that the rebels from Taiyuan-
Fu the capital of Shan-S province
have marched eastward and cut of
General Yin Tchangs railway commu
nication with Pelin Taiyuan-Fu is
go miles southwest OF Pekin and has
been repor ed before as having Joined
the rebellion
At Lancbuw On the HoangHo. the
capital of Kan-Su, it is said that 2Goo0
soldiers, forming what was des gned
as the second army for the campaign
against the rebels. gave the prince
regent the option of Immediately grant
ing % complete constitution or seeing
PelSin attacked
The assembly, ut a secret ses ion,
indOrsed the demand for a constitution
aud sent a memorial regarding it to
the throne
The demauds.were signed by AN the
division ard brigade commanders.
They are prefaced by the declaration
that they viii uphold the dynasty if
the demands are ed. especially
that for the immediate calling of a
fun parliament.
Parliament must have full power to
revise the constitution. the army and
navy must nor be used iu internal
troubles without the consent of parlia.
ment. the emperor must no longer
have absolute power of life and death
and political eyiles must be pardone@
A responsible cabinet with pre- Y
ROYALTY must forever be ineligible to
the cabinet; parliament must share
treaty making power and must nave :
nH power over the budget the throne {
must have no power over taxation I'M I
less authorized by parliament here ]
must be mo- appoinuye members in the y
upper house of parliament until thel
reforms arc completed, and the army f
1nd navy must have a fun voice n 7
.heir shaping i
a wireless message received at f
shanshai from the British wars lips at
9ankow says the lmpcrialisis are a
burning the native city of HanEow e
lnd That the entire advance of The f
government forces is marked with
iideous brutality 4
The Americans have been attending
% the worst wounded Of the imperial 4
sts
The reverses of the Chinese rebels
t Hankow are not considered al To F
TO- Japan as serious Stra egioallyl n
ne city is valueless and its possession 4
would heavily handicap the rebels. Il a
s probable that they viii strongly for n
Ify Wu Chang and make that city
heir headquarters. !,
Wounded In Salute to Governor. =
When the thirteenth gun was be =
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