File No. 1518/277–278.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, January 26,
1909.
No. 1093.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for
your information translation of an imperial edict which appeared on the
18th instant, from which you will see that the various Government boards
and officials entrusted with carrying out the various reform measures to
be put in force before the year 1917 are supposed to have performed all
duties devolving on them in this connection for the year 1908. They are
ordered to continue to show diligence, and opportunity is again taken to
reaffirm the policies of the new reign.
The chief purpose of this edict is, however, to insure the selection by
the various local authorities of suitable persons to serve on the local
self-government boards of all cities, towns, and villages.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
imperial edict.
On the 27th day of the twelfth moon (January 18, 1909) the grand
secretariat received the following edict:
The bureau for the collation of administrative methods has submitted
to us a memorial reporting on the plans drawn up by the board of the
interior for local self-government and the method of election.
Local self-government is the root from which springs constitutional
government. Local self-government begins in cities, towns, and
villages. It is a necessary first step. Let the board of the
interior and the provincial viceroys and governors unite in
instructions to the local officials to select and appoint reputable
literati in each place to carry out the plan for local
self-government. Let there be no delay. Let the affection of the
Throne for the people and the mutual helpfulness of the officials
and the people be manifested.
It must be made clear that local self-government is designed merely
to supplement the administration of the local officials in places
where the latter is
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ineffective. The idea of local self-government does not imply the
setting up of an independent authority separate from the authority
of the local officials. The local organization of the Chou dynasty
and the three elders of the Han dynasty evidence the fact that this
idea has come down from ancient times.
The duty of electing the local government officers rests with the
magistrates and the departmental magistrates, and the duty of
selecting the latter with the viceroys and governors. Substantial
benefit will result and errors avoided only if the right men are
appointed officials and local government officers.
In addition to the above matters, the bureau for the collation of
administrative methods also stated in their memorial that the duties
imposed on the different government officers in connection with the
first year of constitutional reform had all been performed, and
these were enumerated. Let all officers in the capital and in the
Provinces continue to carry out the program punctually. Let no
gradual delay occasioned by flagging diligence on their part prevent
the establishment of constitutional government at the time
mentioned, so that confidence may exist and the desire of the people
be gratified.
