File No. 1518/108.
Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.
Peking,December 26, 1907.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the Chi-i-soa (“deliberative assembly”), an unofficial association for the discussion of state affairs, held its first meeting under the presidency of Prince Ch’ing in the ministry for discussing government affairs on the 8th instant, when the Chekiang Railway loan, the policing of the West River in Kuangsi, the actual abolition of twenty-two Manchu garrisons in China proper, and one or two other important subjects were discussed. This body has no official standing and is rather a caucus wherein political questions, administrative reforms, etc., may be discussed by the high officials of the Empire. The following is a list of those who will take part in these meetings:
Prince Ch’ing, Shih Hsu, and Lu Ch’uan-lin, grand councilors and secretaries of state; Grand Secretary Sun Chia-nai and Lu Jun-hsiang, president of the ministry of civil appointments, Prince Ch’un, Grand Councilors of State Chang Chih-tung and Yuan Shih-k’ai, and Grand Secretary Na-t’ung; Prince Su, Jung Ch’ing, Tai Hung-chi, T’ieh Liang and Ch’ên-Pi, presidents of the ministries of education, of law, of war and posts and communications; Duke Tsai Tsê, P’u Liang, P’u T’ing, and Shou Chi, presidents of the ministries of ceremonies, of commerce, of works and agriculture and of dependencies; president of the censorate, Chang Jênfu, and Prince Pu Lun.
The principal significance of this association is its bearing upon the general question of governmental reform.
I have, etc.,