the Sovereign, whilst the people should have the right to deliberate on public questions. In founding a system of Constitutional Government, inaugurating a Parliament, and arranging the methods of election this guiding principle must always be kept in view, that the authority of the Throne still retains its full effect and cannot be encroached upon in the smallest degree. Prior to the establishment of Constitutional Government and the inauguration of a Parliament government remains on its present basis, and the people must quietly await the introduction by the Throne, in their due order, of the various necessary measures, which will be put into effect at the proper time.
The preparatory measures recommended by the memorialists are all important factors in the establishment of a system of Constitutional Government, and must be faithfully carried out in their proper order. We hereby direct the Constitutional Reform Commission and the Senate to have the list of measures copied on yellow paper, affixed to this Decree, and submitted to us for the Imperial seal to be affixed, after which copies shall be sent to all public offices in the capital, and to the high provincial authorities to be exhibited by them. Officials in the capital and the provinces are required to carry out within the specified time all the measures set forth on the list, and every six months submit a Memorial to the Throne, and report to the Constitutional Reform Commission the steps taken by them. The Minister of a Board and the Viceroy or Governor of a province when taking over office shall submit, in concert with his predecessor, a joint Memorial reporting the measures taken by the latter during his incumbency, so that none can be in a position to evade his responsibility. In the case of measures to be performed in co-operation by a Board in Peking and the provincial authorities, the former shall be responsible for supervising the action of the latter, and shall memorialize the Throne, reporting the manner in which the duty has been performed.
We also direct the Commission and the Senate to establish a special Department for the purpose of supervision, and we likewise order the Censors to keep a careful watch and to report for punishment any official failing to put these measures into effect within the specified periods. No leniency will be shown in the case of any attempt on the part of the high officers at the head of Public Departments attempting to screen an offender, thereby endangering the public weal.
This is a time of grave danger, and our officers both in the capital and the provinces, who have all been the recipients of favours from the State, should arouse themselves from their lethargy and endeavour to get rid of the many existing abuses. The high officers of the Commission and the Senate are still more intimately concerned, and their responsibility is even greater; any irresolution or partiality on their part would be utterly inexcusable.
The training of the people for the function of self-government must be supervised in Peking by the proper Department and in the provinces by the Viceroys and Governors, who should, as occasion arises, issue instructions to their subordinates and permit no delay.
As regards the time within which all the preparatory measures leading up to the convocation of a Parliament are to be carried out, we hereby decree that all these measures of preparation must be completed by the ninth year from the present date, and a Constitutional Government will then be proclaimed and a Parliament convoked.
All our officials and people should exert themselves to the utmost for the furtherance of this beneficent scheme. Should any lawless persons make it a pretext for stirring up disaffection and causing disturbances they will be severely punished and prevented from endangering the public peace. We trust that by this measure the country may daily increase in strength and the people be assured of a lasting tranquillity, so that the spirits of our sacred ancestors may be gratified and the people's aspirations fulfilled.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33714]
No. 1.
98
C. O.
[September 28, 1908]
RECD 29. 27. 001 08;
SECTION 26
Telegram communicated by Portuguese Chargé d'Affaires, September 28, 1908.
LE Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Très Fidèle, en face des déclarations contenues dans la note du Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique du 28 Août dernier, a résolu de désister de sa réclamation sur la retraite des troupes Chinoises, devant cependant noter, bien entendu, qu'aucune occupation postérieure au Traité de 1887 ne pourra être admise avec le fondement des droits de quelque État aux territoires. Les Commissaires Portugais sont les mêmes indiqués dans mon antérieur télégramme. Les places de la réunion pourraient être Macau ou Canton. Je viens d'expédier des instructions à notre Chargé d'Affaires à Pékin dans ce sens et aussi pour solliciter du Ministre d'Angleterre l'appui qui nous a été promis. En donnant connaissance au Gouvernement Britannique de la nouvelle phase de la négociation que le Gouvernement Portugais a adoptée, d'accord avec son avis, vous ferez voir au Ministre des Affaires Étrangères la convenance de vouloir bien faire expédier de nouvelles instructions à son Représentant en Chine pour nous appuyer. Le moindre retard et transigeance encouragera le Gouvernement Chinois à supposer que le Gouvernement Britannique est favorable à ses prétentions ou qu'il est indifférent aux réclamations et moyens du Gouvernement Portugais. Le Gouvernement Chinois tâche par tous les moyens de faire croire qu'il a le droit à discuter énergiquement avec le Portugal la possession des Iles de Coloane et de la Taipa, qui sont, sans aucune discussion, Portugaises. Je vous prie de faire voir au Gouvernement de Sa Majesté Britannique que l'attitude du Gouvernement Portugais a été la plus conciliatrice, et que l'intervention du Gouvernement Britannique devient urgente pour éviter que le sujet puisse prendre un autre aspect et nous obligera à avoir devant la Chine une attitude bien différente de celle que nous avons eue jusqu'à présent.
[1983 ee--2]