[B]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
45
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[35563]
No. 1.
40914
[October 22 RECEIVED]
[Telegram received on] 6 NOV C
SECTION 4.
(No. 372.) Sir,
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 22.)
Peking, September 6, 1906.
THE Chinese Imperial Commission which was sent abroad to study the administrative systems of foreign countries returned to Peking in July and laid its recommendations before the Throne without loss of time.
On the 27th August a special Committee of high officials, under the presidency of the Emperor's brother, Prince Ch'un, was appointed to consider their Memorial. The Viceroy, Yuan Shih-k'ai, who was the only provincial official nominated on this Committee, came up from Tien-tsin to assist at its deliberations.
On the 1st September an Imperial Decree was issued in the name of the Empress-Dowager in which the pledge was given that the country should receive a constitutional Government as soon as it becomes ripe for such a change. The Decree, of which I have the honour to inclose a translation, emphasizes the fact that the first essential is to reorganize the existing official system or public service of the Empire. It also contemplates a revision of the laws, the more general spread of education, the development of the army and police, and changes in the financial system of the country.
This Decree was followed on the next day by another, a translation of which is also inclosed, by which a Commission is appointed under Duke Tsai Tse to frame suggestions for reforming the public service.
According to the reports circulated by the native press, drastic changes are contemplated, entailing the abolition of many sinecures and the more just apportionment of work and personal responsibility among the officials of the Central and Provincial Governments.
I have, &c.
(Signed) LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Imperial Decree.
WE, the Emperor, have respectfully received the commands of Her Majesty the Empress-Dowager in the following terms:--
Since our dynasty came to reign over the Empire the enactments handed down by our illustrious ancestors have always been subject to such modifications and additions as the times may require in their application as the laws of the land. At the present time all nations have intercourse one with another; their administrative and legal systems all have similar features.
But our Empire retains its archaic Government, and therein stands an ever-present danger. Unless a change be made in our laws and Administration in such manner as may be advised by wise and experienced counsellors, how shall the Throne fulfil the task which our ancestors undertook, or how shall the officials and people comfort themselves with the prospect of peaceful government?
With these considerations in view we sent Commissioners abroad to study the systems of government in various lands. Now Tsai Tse and his associates have returned and have presented to us their Memorials, in which they all agree that the cause of our country's decline lies in the want of unity between the ruling class and the ruled, and the gulf that is fixed between the capital and the provinces. The officials do not know what it means to protect the people; the people do not know what it means...
[2183 y-4]
The officials do...
[B]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
45
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[35563]
No. 1.
40914
[October 22 RECO
TREGE 6 NOV C
SECTION 4.
(No. 372.) Sir,
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received October 22.)
Peking, September 6, 1906, THE Chinese Imperial Commission which was sent abroad to study the administra- tive systems of foreign countries returned to Peking in July and laid its recommendations before the Throne without loss of time.
On the 27th August a special Committee of high officials, under the presidency of the Emperor's brother, Prince Ch'un, was appointed to consider their Memorial. The Viceroy, Yuan Shih-k'ai, who was the only provincial official nominated on this Committee, came up from Tien-tsin to assist at its deliberations.
On the 1st September an Imperial Decree was issued in the name of the Empress- Dowager in which the pledge was given that the country should receive a constitutional Government as soon as it becomes ripe for such a change. The Decree, of which I have the honour to inclose a translation, emphasizes the fact that the first essential is to It also reorganize the existing official system or public service of the Empire. contemplates a revision of the laws, the more general spread of education, the develop- ment of the army and police, and changes in the financial system of the country.
This Decree was followed on the next day by another, a translation of which is also inclosed, by which a Commission is appointed under Duke Tsai Tse to frame suggestions for reforming the public service.
According to the reports circulated by the native press, drastic changes are contemplated, entailing the abolition of many sinecures and the more just apportionment of work and personal responsibility among the officials of the Central and Provincial Governments.
I have, &e.'
(Signed) LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Imperial Decree.
WE, the Emperor, have respectfully received the commands of Her Majesty the Empress-Dowager in the following terms:--
Since our dynasty came to reign over the Empire the enactments handed down by our illustrious ancestors have always been subject to such modifications and additions as the times may require in their application as the laws of the land. At the present time all nations have intercourse one with another; their administrative and legal systems all have similar features.
But our Empire retains its archaic Government, and therein stands an ever-present danger. Unless a change be made in our laws and Administration in such manner as may be advised by wise and experienced counsellors, how shall the Throne fulfil the task which our ancestors undertook, or how shall the officials and people comfort themselves with the prospect of peaceful government?
With these considerations in view we sent Commissioners abroad to study the systems of government in various lands. Now Tsai Tse and his associates have returned and have presented to us their Memorials, in which they all agree that the cause of our country's decline lies in the want of unity between the ruling class and the ruled,' and the gulf that is fixed between the capital and the provinces. not know what it means to protect the people; the people do not know what it means
[2183 y-4]
The officials do
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