Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-01

The far eastern information bureau
| has issued the following official sum
mary of China's new provisional con-
stitution as cabled from the
Waichaiopu. to Minister K. F. Shah:
81 The president is the chief eXecu-
tive, with full powers of administrative
control.
so. There is established the Office of
premier, with two under-secretaries Of
state as assistants.
20. The legislative powers are vest
ed in a parliament.
Il. There is a national council, with
advisory powers.
IS. The duty of drafting the consti-
tuition is to be assigned TO a board
composed of members specially ap-
pointed for the purpose. The draft
when completed is to be submitted to
the national council. for revision and
the constitution in its final form is to
be submitted to a national convention
of delegates chosen by the people for
ratification
Prof Jeremiah w jerks, Phi. D.,
director of the far eastern informa-
ton bureau, draws attention to several
radical differences between this official
synopsis and the previous summaries
cabled from the Chinese capital.
at will be SEEN" says DR.. jerks,
that the so-called new constitution
is merely temporary expedient to
pave the way for a permanent, organic
law.
This cable states that tho constitu-
ton in it's final form is TO be submitted
to a national convention of delegates !
chosen by the people for ratification
But in the meantime, and to accustom !
the people OF China to responsible law |
making and The business of democratic |
self-government, it would appear that |
q new parliament is to be summoned. !
and also a national council, which will I
assist the president and the cabinet
as reorganiZed. The first clause, in
resting the president with full powers
of administrative control, is in line
with the recommendations made by DIR.
Frank Johnson GoodTow, the Ameri-
,an governmental expert, who is re-
from China to head Johns Hop
Sins university, and who was specially
-etained by the Chinese government to
suggest a draft constitution for the
of the convention re-
,ently in session. 1t is also in accord
With many notable expressions of opin-
on recently emanating from all parts
II China on this subject.
Sun Pao-chi, minister of foreign af-
airs. a couple of weeks ago declared
It the annual meeting of the Returned
Students club-the organization form
d by Chinese collegians who have re-
urned from the United States to their
ative country-that what is wanted |
q China is jen-nai-hsin, patience. Mr..
un's opinion is echoed all over China,
nd IS far as l can see, the Chinese
eople are showing more and more a
isposition to manifest this virtue.
hey seem determined now that Presi-
ent Yuan shall be given an opportun-
" of perfecting his plans for the es-
of a real, practical, and
usinesslike democracy. And, despite
tatements to the contrary, the gen.
raj attitude of the Chinese people to-
ards their present government seems
, be one OF pride and patriotic CO.
peration. This is evidenced by Off
al and unofficial reports published in
lie foreign and vernacular newspapers
7 China"
LII jerks was asked now he recon
led these statements with the allega-
ons made in Picking and London dis.
atches published by the New York
ines on Sunday. In the London dis
atch referred to Ma 500, a Chinese
gent for Sun Yat-sen, likened Presi-
ent Yuan TO Huerta, told of prepare
ons for a new revolution under SUMS
adership. and alleged that Yuan had
rocked the republic and established
mself as a dictator This interview
as given out in London.
The second dispatch, dated from Pc
ng, April 10. described China's
lances as chaotic" and foreshadow
deficit of $780,. 500, 600. predicting
reign Intervention and partition as 8
rtain to happen. and very soon "a
DR.. jerks said; There Is absolute. y