nent is the Property of His Eritannic Majesty's Government. 1
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FAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
969]
474.)
No. 1.
[Novaber
SECTION 3.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 18.)
Peking, October 3, 1907. WITH reference to previous despatches on the subject of constitutional reform in a, I have the honour to report the establishment on September 20th, by Imperial gee, of an institution entitled the "Tzu Chêng Yuan," which, for want of a er name, may be rendered for the present by the word "Senate." The fese term, literally translated, means
College (or Chancellery) for assisting in rnment."
The Decree establishing this body begins by saying that the time
*
t yet ripe for setting up the Upper and Lower Chambers, which are an essential are of constitutional government, but that it is necessary to make a beginning mt direction. The young Prince Pulun (second cousin of the Emperor) and the Grand Secretary, Sun Chia-nai, are therefore commanded to undertake the idency of the Senate, the composition of which still remains to be discussed. In the meanwhile a deliberative Assembly, consisting of eighteen of the highest opolitan officials, is holding sessions every ten days. These meetings began on the September, when the members took their seats at a long table in the ball of the ad Secretariat, and Resolutions were brought forward in due form and put to the
On the 27th September a Decree was issued, which is believed to be the result of meeting, commanding that the Manchu garrisons be disbanded and absorbed ogst the Chinese population.
The Decree of the 10th August, inclosed in my despatch No. 406, had indicated of the two races as the goal to be aimed at. The present Decree, of which a lation in précis is now inclosed, lays down the first step to be taken towards this The Manchu garrisons (exclusive of Peking) are twenty-two in number, and are d from Canton to Chinese Turkestan. As military forces they are worthless in the degree, while the possession by them of pay and privileges not accorded to persons Chinese birth constitutes a standing grievance. In the various cities where they are -Canton, Foochow, Nanking, Hangchow, Chengtu, &c.-they live as a caste apart, governed by their own officials, and are not amenable to the Chinese jurisdiction, do nothing to justify their existence, and are even forbidden to engage in trade griculture, the fiction still being maintained that they are keeping the Chinese dation in subjection.
Their abolition will be one of the few practical steps yet taken by the Chinese ernment in its efforts towards reform. The second session of the deliberative mbly took place on the 29th September, and was followed by the issue of two long ees on the next day commanding that public education should be pressed forward der to fit the nation for self-government, and laying down the principle, apparently warning to any who may entertain Republican sympathies, that China's future stitution will be monarchical. I have the honour to inclose a résumé of these Decrees.
I have, &c.
(Sigued) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Résumé of Imperial Decree, published September 27, 1907.
DUR dynasty was founded by military prowess, and throughout the Empire were garrisons intended for the tranquillization of our dominions. When peace had long established, they had nothing to do but idly receive their pay, their numbers ed, and they fell into poverty. It is high time that they should find some means of [27328-
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