I transmit also another edict of the 2d instant, creating a commission to
revise the regulations governing the duties, ranks, etc., of officials,
for the purpose of reforming the administration of the Empire.
The programme of reforms laid down in the edict is most gratifying if
carried out, but it may well be feared that a few years, as pointed out
in the edict, will not prove sufficient to make them, even in the rough;
or, if made, that they will prove satisfactory or permanent. The task
before the Government is an enormous one.
[Inclosure
1—Translation.]
constitutional government in
china.
Imperial edict of September 1,
1906.
We have received from Her Imperial Majesty, Tzu Hsi, etc., etc.,
Empress Dowager, the following decree:
From the founding of our dynasty to the present time the wise
measures adopted by the holy monarchs who have succeeded one another
upon the
[Page 350]
throne have
always without exception been taken with due regard to the
exigencies of the times and have been embodied in the Statutes of
the Empire.
At present all nations are in free communication with each other, and
in their methods of government and their laws are influenced one by
another. Our political institutions, however, remain as of old, a
condition of affairs which threatens danger and disaster, day by day
becoming more imminent. Unless we broaden our knowledge by a more
comprehensive study of the institutions of other lands, and improve
our laws accordingly we shall fail to keep the path of progress
marked out by our imperial ancestors, and there will be no hope of
securing that just administration which the welfare of ministers and
people alike demand.
Some time ago, therefore, we appointed certain ministers to visit
foreign countries to inquire into their methods of government, and
Duke Tsai-tsê and his associates have now returned and made their
reports. All are agreed that the lack of prosperity in the state is
clue to the separation between the officials and the people and the
lack of cooperation between the capital and the provinces. The
officials are ignorant of the needs of the people, and the people do
not understand what is necessary to the safety of the state. The
wealth and strength of other countries are due to their practice of
constitutional government, in which public questions are determined
by consultation with the people. The ruler and his people are as one
body animated by one spirit, as a result of which comprehensive
consideration is given to the general welfare and the limits of
authority are clearly defined. Even in securing and appropriating
funds for public use, as well as in all political measures, there is
nothing which is not made the public concern of the people.
Moreover, these nations all learn one from another, and are
constantly improving their methods so as to attain to the highest
degree of prosperity. The success of government and the concord of
the people have their origin here.
Under these circumstances we can but consider carefully the form of
government best suited to the needs of the times, and adopt a
constitutional polity in which the supreme authority shall be vested
in the crown, but all questions of government shall be considered by
a popular assembly.
These are the foundation principles upon which the perpetuity of the
state is to rest. As yet, however, the constitution is not prepared,
and the people, too, are not properly equipped with the necessary
knowledge. If we adopt hasty measures and simply issue specious and
pretentious documents, how can we secure the confidence of the
people?
If, therefore, we would get rid of accumulated evils and fix
responsibility, we must first of all begin with the official
organization. The first thing imperatively necessary is that the
regulations relating to official functions be taken up and
considered one by one and successively amended, and that the various
classes of laws likewise be carefully arranged.
We must extend education, put the finances in order, improve the
military system, establish a police organization throughout the
Empire, cause the gentry and people to thoroughly understand
political affairs, and thus by such preparation lay the foundations
of constitutional government.
Let the ministers and officials in the capital and the Provinces give
thorough attention to these matters and exert themselves to secure
success.
In a few years, when the system shall have been roughly outlined, we
can, after due consideration of the circumstances, collate and
compare the methods of other nations and adopt a satisfactory form
of constitutional government as well as fix a elate for putting it
into operation. That date will depend upon the rate of progress
being made, and will be proclaimed accordingly to the Empire.
Let all the Tartar generals, viceroys, and governors of the Provinces
instruct the literary classes and the common people to rouse
themselves to earnest efforts in behalf of education, in the hope
that everyone may come to understand the real meaning of patriotism
and comprehend those principles by which the nation is to be united
for the promotion of civilization, that private interests are not to
be pursued to the injury of the public welfare, that petty
jealousies must not be allowed to defeat national policies, and that
respect for authority is the preservation of peace.
Thus we may hope that the people will accumulate the stores of wisdom
needed for the establishment of a constitutional form of
government.
Let this be published abroad for the information of all. Respect
this.
[Inclosure
2—Translation.]
Imperial edict of September 2, 1906.
Yesterday we published an edict making important announcement of
preparations for the establishment of constitutional government, and
directing that first of all steps should be taken to put in order
the regulations as to officials. This is a matter of grave concern,
and it will be necessary to take into consideration the ancient
practice and harmonize it with present conditions. Examination must
be made into the essentials of the laws and rules of the present
dynasty, and a collection made of the best features of the customs
and regulations of other states, so that by a combination the most
suitable may be secured. No particular must be neglected. Thus we
may perhaps arrive at the most advantageous. Let Tsai-tsê, Shih-hsü,
Na-t’ung, Jung-ch’ing, Tsai-chên, K’uei-chün, T’ieh-liang, Chang
Po-hsi, Tai Hung-Tz’u, Ko Pao-hua, Hsü Shih-ch’ang, Liu Jun-shiang,
Shou-ch’i, and Yuan Shih-k’ai be appointed to consult together and
revise the aforesaid regulations relating to the official
regulations. The said high officials must aim loyally at the public
interest and set aside all preconceived notions, and with careful
attention make a satisfactory arrangement of these regulations.
Moreover, we direct Tuan-fang, Chang Chih-tung, Shêng-yün,
Hsi-liang, Chou Fu, Tsên Ch’un-hsüan to appoint high provincial
commissioners and taot’ais and send them to Peking to consult with
the above-named commission. We also appoint I-k’uang, the Prince of
Ch’ing, Sun Chia-nai, and Ch’ü Hung-chi a superior commission to
pass upon the regulations after amendment. After deciding upon them
they will await an imperial edict authorizing their enforcement, so
that due weight may be given to them. Respect this.
Note.—The officers constituting the
commission hold offices as follows: Tsai-tsê, duke, recently
special envoy to foreign countries, just made minister of the
presence; Shih-hsü, grand secretary; Na-t’ung, grand secretary
and associate president of the board of foreign affairs;
Jung-ch’ing, grand councilor, probationary grand secretary,
president of the board of education; Tsai-chên, minister of the
presence, president of the board of commerce; K’uei-chün,
president of the board of civil office; T’ieh-liang, grand
councilor, president of the board of revenue; Chang Po-hsi,
Chinese president of revenue; Tai Hung-tz’u, president of the
board of rites, recently special envoy to foreign governments;
Ko Pao-hua, president of the board of punishments; Hsü
Shih-ch’ang, grand councilor, president of the board of police;
Liu Jun-hsiang, president of the board of works; Shou-ch’i,
president of the censorate; Yuan Shik-k’ai, viceroy of Chihli
Province.
The viceroys ordered to send representatives of the rank of
provincial treasurer, provincial salt or grain commissioner or
taot’ai, are stationed at the following places: Tuan-fang at
Nankin; Chang Chih-tung at Wu-ch’ang; Shêng-yun at Hsi-an Fu,
ShensiHsi-liang at Ch’êng-tu, Szechuen; Chou-fu at Foochow, and
Tsên Ch’un hsüan at Canton.
The superior commission is composed of the prime minister, Prince
of Ch’ing, whose personal name is I-k’uang; Ch’ü Hung-chi,
associate president of the board of foreign affairs, and a grand
councilor; and Sun Chia-nai, grand secretary and president of
the Hanlin Academy.
