Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-18
PLEDGED 4 WISE
RULEFOR CHINA
Boy Emperor in Historic Doc
ument Made Many Prom
ises to People.
JULY EDlcTs REVEALED
BY WILLIAM n. GILES.
Especial Correspondence Of The Star
and Chicago Daily News.)


Especial Correspondents Of The Star
and Chicago Daily News3
(Ths is the third Of three articles by Mr..
Giles givirz inside facts Regarding the abortiye
restoration of the Chinese monarchy
PEKING, China, July 4.-The follow
ing edicts were issued on July ] un-
der the signature of Chang Hsun. head
Of the council OF state. the only excep-
ton being that of the first one, which
was signed with the ''vermilion PEN
Gil" by the young emperor himself. A
perusal will show they are absolutely
reactionary and that an attempt is be-
ing made to take up the thread of i'm
peria1 control and government at the
point where it was broken OF when the
abdication took place.
Kang Yu-wei, the great sreformer.
who was responsible for the reform
edicts in 1898. drew up these edicts.
and in many instances there is a sign
of far-seeing craftsmanship. For in
stance. the chambers of commerce
full and important body. have been APP
pealed to for their support by the aboli-
ton of the stamp and other taxes. meas
ures which they have strongly opposed
since they were imposed. The mass OF
the people by change in the criminal
code and the abolition of certain taxes
are heing persuaded to receive the res
toration with favor. In other respects
the edicts speak for themselves and
give a good index of what has happened
during the last few days.
The Emperor's Edict.
The first edict reads:
Issued the 18th day of the 5th Moon
of the 9Th Year Of Hsuan Tung.
while yet in our boyhood the inner
itance of the great domain was unfor-
~ Tn
since we were then all alone we Were
unable to weather the numerous DIM
cuities. Upon the outbreak OF the up
rising in the year of Hsin Hal, our en-
press, Hsiao Ting Chin, owing TO her
most high virtue and most deep be-
nevolence, was unwilling to allow the
people to suffer, and courageousiy
placed in the hands of the late tmperiai
councillor, Yuan Shih-kai, the great 90
minion which our f0refathers had buiit
up, and with it the lives OF the millions
of our people, with orders to establish q
provisional government.
1.-The power of state was thus volun-
tarily given to the whole country, with
the hope that disputes might disappear,
disturbances might stop and the people
be enabled to live in peace. But ever
since the form of state, was changed
into a republic continuous strife has
prevailed and several wars have taken
place. Forcfble seizure. excessive taxa
ton and bribery have been of everyday
occurrence. Although the annual reve-
nue. has increased to 400,0o0,OoO, this
amount Is still insufficient to meet the
needs The total amount of foreign OBJ
legations has reached a figure of more
than 10000, 000. 900, yet more loans are
being Contracted The people within
the Seas are shocked by this state OF
Affairs. and interest in life has forsaken
them The step reluctantly taken by
our empress, Hsiao Ting Chin, for the
purpose. of giving respite to the people
has resulted untowardly in increasing
the burdens of our people. This. indeed
our empress, Hsiao Ting Chin, was un-
able to foresee, and the result must
have made her spirit in heaven weep
sorely. And it is owing to this that
we have been praying to heaven day
and night in the close confines of the
palace, meditating. and weeping in, ST.
lent suffering.