File No. 1518/344.
[Inclosure.]
Extract from the North China Daily News,
November 29, 1909.
imperial decree november
25.
Whereas edicts have been issued in the previous reign, earnestly
announcing the importance of making preparations for a constitution
and fixing a strict period within which different ministries were
made responsible to carry out any published reform measure assigned.
To this effect there were repeated commands. Since accession to the
Throne we have issued several decrees and have in rescripts to
memorials laid emphasis on the subject. Through these means our
sincere wish to push on the progress of constitutional reform must
have been patent to the officials and subjects in the Empire.
We have received from the presiding officials of the various
ministries and viceroys and governors in the different Provinces of
the constitutional preparations carried out in the first and second
years, according to the program, and find them on the whole
satisfactory. But if they would but throw their hearts into the work
and devote their energies towards carrying out those reforms, in due
course success might be expected.
It is, however, apprehended that committing the long standing error,
some of them may seek to discharge their responsibility by
presenting a mere memorial without taking any real action. They
should bear in mind that these measures are of the highest
importance, and are to be carried out in compliance with plans of
the preceding Emperor as well as to satisfy the hopes of the
people.
Henceforth officials should bestir themselves and seek to effect
improvements with energy in undertaking the tasks intrusted to them.
They should neither exaggerate their doings nor hide faults. If
obstacles arise in the way of accomplishing any object, they are
permitted to memorialize us and devise such means as may be
necessary in the circumstances. They are desired, however, firmly to
pursue their course and to carry through their aim in spite of
difficulties. They should neither quail before difficulties nor
evade responsibilities.
The present troublous position of affairs has been a source of
constant and great solicitation to the Throne, and the ministers,
having received bounties from the state, should do their utmost to
shoulder the responsibilities. If matters are presented [Page 329] with the least falsity and
in consequence they fail to carry out the constitutional reforms in
due time, can they bear the consequences?
The commission of constitutional reforms is commanded to supervise
the preparations as reported, and in the event of any delay or
perfunctory efforts or misrepresentations being discovered, to make
a denunciation to us, giving the full facts. We will reverently obey
the edict issued on the 1st of the 8th moon last year, and mete out
penalty to those guilty according to the rules against negligence in
office. With the established regulations before us we shall show no
lenience. In short, it must be pointed out that responsibility can
not be evaded, while cooperation is necessary to insure success.
It is hoped that the ministers, both within and without the capital,
will observe harmony and banish private feelings; that they will
neither form factions to oppose different views, nor begin any
measure in diligence and end it in idleness. It is only by such
means that unity of mind can be established between sovereign and
ministers and benign government can be secured.
2. Tsai Ying is commanded to assume temporary charge of the brigade
generalship of Ma Lan prior to Chi Ling’s arrival.
imperial decrees, november
26.
1. The memorial presented by the commission of constitutional reforms
traversing the reports on the reform measures carried out in the
different districts and departments, and suggesting rewards and
punishment in the matter, is approved. The object of these reports
is to compare the merits of official administration and encourage
men of superior talents, but though many of the viceroys and
governors have submitted ample reports there are others whose
reports have been quite meager. It is incredible that such should be
the case, yet such firmly rooted evils greatly affect the progress
of constitutional reforms. Take, for example, the instance of police
administration, of which reports have only been made in a few
instances, while in other districts the system has not been put into
operation. Negligence in other matters may thus be inferred. A
period was strictly fixed for these measures to be carried out and
arbitrary evasion can not be permitted. The viceroys and governors
are hereby commanded to comply with the regulations sanctioned to
act with diligence in compiling reports for tables and to classify
the administrations according to actual merit. This should be
carried out faithfully and with justice, so that the Throne’s wish
to accomplish reforms in a true spirit may not be ignored.
2. Yen Chih, imperial agent at Urga, is allowed to vacate his post on
account of illness.
3. San To is awarded the brevet rank of deputy lieutenant general and
appointed acting imperial agent at Urga.
4. Lian Shou is hereby appointed deputy lieutenant general of
Kueihhuacheng.
The above edicts are sealed by the Prince Regent and signed by the
Grand Councillors Prince Ching, Shih Hsu, Lu Ch’uan-lin Na Tung, and
Tai Hung-tze.
