File No. 1518/85–86.
Chargé Fletcher to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking,October 12,
1907.
No. 758.]
Sir: In continuation of Mr. Rockhill’s No. 745,
of September 28 last, I have the honor to inclose translation of an
imperial edict, published the 9th instant, on the subject of the
abolition of race distinctions as between Manchus and Chinese.
I have, etc.,
[Page 197]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Imperial edict in re the abolition of race
distinctions.
[Translated from the
Peking Gazette of October 9,
1907.]
We have this day received the following edict from Her Imperial
Majesty Tzu-hsi, etc.:
“Etiquette and duty are affected by the influence of custom; law and
justice are the embodiment of fundamental principles. Manchus and
Chinese each have their own ancient customs handed down from
generation to generation, such, for example, as those in connection
with official life, mourning, etc. Then, too, there is a certain
inequality in the severity of punishments as meted out to Manchus
and Chinese. All this shows a lamentable lack of uniformity.
“Let the board of rites, therefore, cooperate with the ministers
intrusted with the revision of the law and draw up a set of social
rules and rules for the regulation of punishments which shall apply
everywhere to Manchus and Chinese alike, except, of course, in the
case of the imperial clansmen, for whom there are special and
definite laws laid down. Let them present these rules upon
completion to the Throne for approval, after which they will be
proclaimed throughout the Empire for the universal observance of
officials and people. This plan is adopted to clear the way for the
general observance of similar customs by the Manchus and the
Chinese.
“Respect this.”
