3
136
present time various measures of reform are being introduced, and we would show our sympathy for the heavy burden of the people by speedily doing away with a practice which is detrimental to the welfare of the public, for otherwise how are they to bear As we have the insatiable demands on the small annual income from their fields ? already placed the railways under official control it is hereby ordered that, from the date of the issue of this decree, the collection of rent shares both in Szechuan and Huuan provinces shall cease entirely, and that the Yu Chuan Pu and the director- general of railways co-operate with the viceroy and governor of the said provinces in making a strict enquiry as to the amount collected for that purpose before the 4th moon of the 3rd year of Isiian Tung, and report their finding to us in order that the people may not be the losers, and may retain their confidence in the Government. local officials conceal the truth or make false reports they shall on discovery he denounced with the utmost severity. Any other suns of money collected for the purposes of railway construction must be examined strictly, and reported to us for our
decision.
If
The said viceroy and governor are further ordered to have this edict printed on yellow, and distributed at once to the people, that they may know our earnest desire to show them sympathy.
(Translation.)
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Imperial Decree of May 30, 1911.
THE acting sub-director of the High Court of Justice, Wang Shih-ch'i, and others, have presented a memorial requesting that additional taxes for the construction of railways in Hunan be entirely stopped.
The main railway lines having become State-owned, we issued a decree stopping the collection of capital by means of rent shares, and ordering an investigation to be made into the extrà amount collected under various names for railway construction, and that sanction be asked for the issue of a decree which would deal with the matter. As the people are becoming poorer every day, and the control of railways has been taken over by the officials, all railway measures that would cause inconvenience to the general public should be abolished, so that the people's burdens may lightened.
be
Now, according to the joint memorial of the Hunan metropolitan officials, it is stated that, in addition to the "rent shares," there are various taxes on rice, salt, and houses. This endless taxation causes trouble to the rich and poor alike, and if these practices are not wholly abandoned we cannot show our sympathy with the people. Upon perusing the above memorial we find that it shows sympathy with the gracious intention of the Throne in investigating into the suffering and distress of its subjects.
We hereby order that the duties levied on rice, salt, and houses in Hunan, as well as the system of "rent shares." be wholly discontinued. The director-general of railways and the Governor of Hunan are commanded to adhere strictly to the former decree by making an investigation into the amounts already collected, and to report to us as to how the matter should be dealt with, so that the people may not suffer the slightest loss.
The governor is ordered to print yellow copies of this decree, so that it may be again published for general information. There must be no concealment or delay.
vogue in Szechuan and Hunan has been entirely stopped by our order, and instructions have been given for satisfactory arrangements to be made with regard to shares which have already been collected. All this has been done because the operation of main lines by merchants had merely served to increase the sufferings of the people, and because our object was to lighten the burdens of our poor subjects. In changing the Government policy we cannot allow any loss to fall on them, and they should have been filled with rejoicing on this account. How is it then that there is this opposition ?
The provincial Assembly misunderstood the situation, and many of the statements in their petitiou are quite inaccurate, while their attitude is tantamount to a threat.
Yang Wen-ting, as a local official, is charged with the responsibility of suppressing trouble and pacifying the people. If, after the former clear edicts had been issued, he had shown his sympathy with the Throne's love for the people by earnestly explaining to them the real state of affairs, all suspicions would have been dispelled. But, instead of this, he recklessly memorialised us on behalf of the Assembly just after we had definitely fixed the Government policy. Such conduct is indeed improper. We hereby order that he be severely reprimanded. Yesterday we again issued a decree commanding the cessation of all taxation levied on rice, salt, and houses for the construction of railways in Hunan. The Throne has thus spared no effort to show sympathy with the hardships of the people. The said governor is hereby ordered to adhere strictly to the frequent decrees issued on this subject, and at the same time to give earnest advice to the people, and, in concert with them, to devise a satisfactory procedure. Should bad characters secretly incite the people to create trouble, the former must be severely punished. If he again fails to adopt proper measures, and serious trouble occur, he, the governor, will be the one held responsible.
(Translation.)
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Imperial Decree of May 31, 1911.
YANG WEN-TING memorialises that the provincial Assembly of Hunan has petitioned, stating that the Hanan people were quite able to construct their own railways, and did not wish to contract any loan. He has therefore memorialised in accordance with their wishes.
The Government policy has already been definitely announced under which the main railway lines become State-owned. Moreover, the system of "rent shares
in
21