Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, February 6,
1902.
No. 910.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
copies of two imperial edicts recently issued which indicate the
loosening of the bonds of old custom and the present trend toward a new
order.
The removal of the prohibition of intermarriage between Manchus and
Chinese is of significance politically as indicating a desire to
emphasize less strongly the distinction between rulers and ruled.
The other edict is in line with the policy declared in a number of recent
edicts to encourage the study of western methods.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Translation from the Peking Gazette of February
1, 1902.
The following imperial edict was issued to-day:
“We have received this decree from her Imperial Majesty Tzu-hsi,
etc., Empress Dowager:
“‘Our Dynasty, distinguished for its benevolence, has richly bestowed
its benefits in overflowing measure throughout the whole Empire. No
partiality has been shown to Manchu or Chinese, whether high
official or people. But, according to an old custom, there has been
no intermarriage between them. This was originally because when the
Dynasty was first established the customs and speech of the two
peoples were considerably unlike and therefore the prohibition was
made. Now, however, customs and beliefs are alike, and more than two
hundred years having passed, we ought to defer to the general
feeling and remove the prohibition, and therefore we command that
Manchu and Chinese, whether officials or people, be allowed to
intermarry. Let there be no bigoted adherence to old custom. But, as
for the Chinese women, for the most part, they have followed for a
long time the custom of foot binding, which is an injury to the good
order of creation. Hereafter let the officials and gentry all exert
themselves to gently persuade and lead the [Page 209] people and cause them all to understand, in
the hope that this old custom may be gradually abolished. But on no
account will it be permitted officials, clerks, or the slippery
yamen runners to take advantage of this to go about harassing the
people with their prohibitions. But at the times for selecting girls
for palace attendants, the Manchus must still be chosen; there must
not be any selection of Chinese, lest we fall into the corrupt
practices of the former Ming Dynasty. We therefore make this
restriction out of deference to the feelings of the (Chinese)
people. Let this edict be published abroad for general
information.’
“Respect this.”
[Inclosure 2.]
Translation from the Peking Gazette of February
1, 1902.
The following edict was issued on the 23d of the twelfth moon
(February 1, 1902):
“Our international relations are of the utmost importance. At the
present time when we are seeking to restore prosperity to the people
and the Government, we ought more than ever to gather together those
of superior merit. If those who go abroad will devote themselves
earnestly to the investigation of foreign methods of government and
the sciences of those countries, we may hope to so increase our
talents as in some measure to meet the needs of the Government. At
present there are many students from the various provinces, zealous
in acquainting themselves with current affairs, who have gone abroad
to study in foreign schools and learn a profession. This practice
has never obtained among the Imperial Clansmen and the Eight
Banners, and it is urgently necessary that they become more
liberally educated. Let the Imperial Clan court and the
lieutenants-general of the Eight Banners select young men from each
banner between the ages of 15 and 25, of good character, intelligent
minds and sound bodies, and prepare a list to be sent to the Grand
Council, who may report to us and await our appointment of an
official to reexamine and make a selection of a certain number, who
shall be furnished with means and sent abroad to travel and study,
availing themselves of the opportunity to familiarize themselves
(with foreign methods) and enlarge their experience that they may
assist the Court in its purpose to cultivate talent for the service
of the Government.”
Respect this.
