File No. 1518/92–93.

Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.

No. 765.]

Sir: In continuation of my No. 750 of the 4th instant, on the subject of representative government, I have the honor to inclose copy of an imperial edict, appearing in the Peking Gazette of the 19th instant, ordering the viceroys and governors to establish deliberative assemblies in their respective provinces. The edict marks another and very important step toward representative government.

I have, etc.,

Henry P. Fletcher.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Imperial edict in re establishment of provincial deliberative assemblies.

We have this day received the following imperial edict from Her Majesty Tzu-hsi, etc.:

A decree has already been promulgated calling for the establishment of a constitutional assembly (Tzu Chêng Yuan) in Peking, which is to be the foundation of a national parliament. But the provinces should also have some means whereby an expression of public opinion could be obtained. The people should be given an opportunity to point out and explain in what way the province is weak and in what way it is strong; they should discuss means of maintaining the public peace; and they should have some organization that would serve as a stepping stone to the imperial constitutional assembly.

Therefore it is hereby ordered that the viceroys and governors immediately establish deliberative assemblies (Tzu-i-chü) in their respective provincial capitals, selecting honest and admittedly clever officials and gentry to assist in the organization thereof. These officials and gentry selected from various places for their honesty and ability shall elect competent and efficient men to [Page 198] act as members of the deliberative assemblies; and under no circumstances shall men of evil reputation or local “bosses,” who seek only their own advantage, be chosen by them.

These assemblies shall then deliberate upon all matters relating to new institutions or to changes of any kind, and it shall be the duty of the high provincial officials to take the decisions of these assemblies into consideration when acting upon any matter discussed by them. In case of matters of great importance such officials shall prepare a memorial thereon for presentation to the Throne.

In the future when members are to be elected to the imperial constitutional assembly, the members of these provincial assemblies may be chosen for seats in the national body.

When the imperial constitutional assembly finds it necessary to make an investigation or to inquire into any subject, it shall be their duty to write both to the viceroy or governor concerned directing him to order an investigation and also to the provincial assembly, asking that a report on the matter in question be made. The provincial assembly, likewise, shall communicate, in case of necessity, both with the viceroy or governor and with the imperial constitutional assembly.

Councils for deliberation shall also be established in the various prefectures, departments, and districts, and the members thereof shall be progressive men of ability. In this way our progress will be quickened, and the country will approach the point where it will have administration according to the general will of the majority of the people, and that is the result so ardently desired, so fervently prayed for, by the Throne.