Democratic messenger., 1911-11-04
CHINA GIVES
CONSTITUTION
Frightened Government Grants
Sweeping Reforms.
MAY COME TOO LATE
imperial Ediet Apologies For Past
Neglect and Gives Free Pardon TO
All Rebels and Political Offenders.

All hepelS ana Pollticdl OHehoe'S'
More edicis from the throne have
plunged China deeper into a reign OF
terror. and a few days will determine
the future course Of the empire.
Complete capitulation to the de.
mands Of the rebels In made. but they
declare that the surrender has come
too latc and that the revolutionists
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 q 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 Hankow after capture. The re-
ports that the rebel forces have re-
captured the railroad station at Han.
kow, have reorganized and are nght.
ing the advance OF the imperial troops.
has given courage to the Chinese.
The Manchus fear the investment Of
the capital by the rebels. while the
Chinese are anxious over the possi-
bility of massacre by Manchus. Both
parties are appealing to the legations
for protection. The latter are taking
precautions against any eventuality.
Premier Ching Il using his influence
to curb any tendency toward violence.
In an imperial edict the throne hum.
bly, apologies for its past neglect and
grants an immediate constitution, with
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-
Flu. the capital of Shan-Si province,
have marched eastward and cut of
General Yin Tchang's railway commu-
nication with Pekin. Taiyuan-Fu is
$50 miles southwest OF Pekin and has
been reported before as having joined
the rebellion.
At Lanchow on the Hoang-Ho. the
capital OF Kan-Su. II Is said that 27.000
soldiers. forming what was designed
as the second army for the campaign
against the rebels. gave the prince
regent the option OF Immediately grant
ing a complete constitution or seeing
Pekin attacked.
The assembly. at a secret session.
Endorsed the demand for constitution
and sent a memorial regarding il to
the throne
The demands were signed by all the
division and brigade commanders.
They are prefaced by the declaration
that they will uphold the dynasty II
the demands are granted. especially
that for the immediate calling Of
full parliament.
Parliament must have full power to
revise the constitution, the army and
navy must not be used in internal
troubles without the consent OF parlia-
ment. the emperor must no longer
have absolute power of life and death
and political exiles must be pardoned.
A responsible cabinet, with pre-
mier. must be chosen by parliament;
royalty must forever be ineligible to
the cabinet; parliament must share
treaty making power and must have
full power over the budget. the throne
must have no power over taxation un.
less authorized by parliament. there
must be no appointive members in the
upper house of parliament until the
reforms are completed, and the army
and navy must have a full voice In
their shaping.
A wireless message received at
Shanghai from the British warships at
Hankow says the imperialists are
burning the native city OF Hankow,
and that the entire advance OF the
government forces is marked with
hideous brutality
The Americans have been attending
to the worst wounded OF the imperial
lists.
The reverses of the Chinese rebels
at Hankow are not considered at To
kio. japan. as serious. Strategically
the city is valueless and IT'S possession
would heavily handicap the rebels. II
is probable that they will strongly for
tify WI Chang and make that city
their headquarters.