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If they fail in so doing, I see no alternative, as I informed the Wai-wu Pu ou the 29th instant, but to advise His Majesty's Government to support the Syndicate in starting work under their Agreement as it stands.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
303
920
[December 14.]
K SECTION
JAN 08
[40889]
(No. 517.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey. (Received December 14.)
Peking, October 31, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inclose a translation of an Imperial Decree issued on the 17th October, which has appeared to me of interest as showing that the Court fully recognizes the disorderly condition of the Empire and the possibility of a serious outbreak. In order to stimulate the provincial authorities into watch- fulness, a warning is given by this Decree to all Viceroys and Governors that they will be held personally responsible if any serious rising occurs in their jurisdictions after they have been six months in office.
To combat the spirit of unrest and prepare the country for constitutional changes, other Decrees have appeared in the "Gazette," the practical value of which is extremely doubtful. On the 19th October, for instance, a Decree appealed to all the high authorities of the Empire to search for and recommend men of real capacity for the public service, irrespective of their standing, while another Edict commanded the immediate establishment in the provinces of popular Assemblies, to be formed of Delegates elected for the purpose of discussing questions of public interest, and who in the future would he the electors of the Imperial Assembly,
(Translation.)
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Imperial Decree, published October 17, 1907.
IN a critical time like the present, when men's minds are unsettled, the Viceroys and Governors appointed to the provinces ought most especially to arouse their energies for the improvement of the state of affairs under their control, and for the anticipation and prevention of evils. By preserving good government and tranquillity within their borders they could prevent unexpected disorders. Nevertheless in recent years in every province there has arisen from time to time a clamour of rebellion, injurious to the locality, enormously harmful to life and property, and involving great expenditure on the payment of troops. A disturbance in one place usually affects the whole body politic. A study of the cause which brings disorder to the point of bloodshed shows that it cannot be a matter of a single day. It is usually that the high provincial authorities, reposing in their own greatness, are careless of their daily duties, and in making appointments are governed rather by favour than fitness. The Prefects and Magistrates whom they employ are either avaricious and untrustworthy, or careless and confused, or one-sided in their judgments, or subservient to their runners; so that good government has become a thing of the past. They cannot make themselves conversant with the hidden life of the people; and traitors are enabled to combine as they please, stirring up troubles. Nothing could be more injurious to the State or more hurtful to the people than this. Viceroys and Governors have received the favours of the State in large measure, and in preserving local tranquillity there must be no shirking of their responsibility. If they have waited till revolt is actually arrived, what is the use of impeaching two or three of the civil or military officials under them for inefficient performance of their duty? From the date of this Decree, all Viceroys and Governors who have been more than six months at their posts shall be held responsible if any serious case arises of disorderly persons banded together in large bodies.
Let this be made generally known.
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