File No. 1518/226–229.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
[Extract.]
American Legation,
Peking, December 4,
1908.
No. 1054.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for
your information the program1 of the ceremonies observed on the 2nd instant on the
enthronement of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.
I inclose also a copy of the imperial proclamation referred to in the
enthronement ceremony document,1 which, like the enthronement; ceremony, conforms to
ancient precedents.
The following day there appeared an imperial edict, copy of which I
inclose, reaffirming in emphatic terms the determination of the new
Government to carry out in its entirety the constitutional program as
laid down by the late Empress Dowager on the 27th August last2 (see my dispatch No. 1005,
of Sept. 12, 1908), and thus finally dispels any uncertainty on the
future policy of the new reign.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Imperial edict.
On the 10th day of the eleventh moon (December 3, 1908), the grand
secretariat received the following edict:
We have inherited the great succession. The enthronement ceremony is
finished. We earnestly reflect upon the methods of government which
have been handed down by the sacred ones, among which there are none
which do not show reverence for heaven and respect for the
ancestors, diligence in government, and love for the people.
In all the good work left incomplete by the preceding administration,
there is nothing that we will not reverently carry forward.
On the 1st day of the eighth moon (August 27, 1908), the late
Emperor-reverently received the excellent decree of the late great
Empress Dowager strictly ordering the officials and people of Peking
and of the Provinces to carry out completely by the ninth year all
the preparatory work so that at the appointed time the constitution
may be proclaimed. Also proclamations calling for the members of
Parliament to assemble and other decrees brightly manifested the
sacred instructions, and all between the seas applauded. From
ourselves down to the officials and people, high and low, all must
sincerely obey the excellent decree previously issued. The eighth
year of Hsuan T’ung is the limit of time. Let there be no
“reabsorption of sweat” in this matter. Our hope is that this will
certainly be carried out. Let the officials of Peking and the
Provinces on no account look idly on, and procrastinate delaying the
opportune time.
Let patriotism be shown forth Exert yourselves that constitutional
government may be established and court and ‘wilds’ (people) may
have peace; and so we may comfort the spirits of the late great
Empress Dowager and the late Emperor in heaven, and make firm the
foundations of countless years of peaceful government.
Reverently received.
