This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,
0.
97
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33530]
No. 1.
39169
[September 2
TR 27 OCT 08
SECTION 1.
(No. 390.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 28.)
Peking, September 2, 1908, REFERRING to my despatch No. 371 of the 19th ultimo,* I have the honour to enclose for your information a translation of an important Decree of the Empress-Dowager, which was published on the 27th August, on the preparations to be made for Constitutional and Parliamentary Government.
The Princes presiding over the Constitutional Government Commission and the Senate have submitted the heads of a scheme for the inauguration of a Constitution and Parliament, which is stated not to conflict with Chinese statecraft and traditions. This scheme is approved by the Empress, and the gradual preparatory steps suggested are to be completed in nine years' time, when the Constitution will be promulgated and a Parliament summoned. In the meantime the existing régime is to be carefully respected, and agitators and other disturbers of the peace are to be rigorously suppressed.
The Imperial Decree, with the scheme attached, is to be printed in yellow (“têng huang"), stamped with the Imperial Seal, and published broadcast over the Empire. All high officers of State, metropolitan and provincial, are held responsible for the effective carrying out of the details within the time appointed, and six-monthly reports of progress are to be made to the Court of the steps taken in the furtherance of the scheme. Newly-appointed officials are to memorialize on the action taken by their predecessors for this purpose, in order to secure continuity. Any laxity or want of zeal is to be specially reported, and offenders are warned that they will be punished mercilessly.
The scheme referred to in this Decree will form the subject of a later despatch.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Extract from the "Official Gazette" of August 25, 1908.
(Translation.)
IMPERIAL Decree issued by the Empress-Dowager on the 27th July, in response to a Joint Memorial submitted by the Constitutional Reform Commission and the Senate with reference to the establishment of Constitutional Government, the convocation of a Parliament, the methods of election, and the measures to be taken year by year in preparation for this measure.
IN view of the present enfeebled state of the country and the fact that conditions are constantly changing, it is only by unity of purpose among all, from the highest to the lowest, that the country can be preserved; only by reform of the legal system can the public peace be assured, and only by mutual co-operation and assistance between officials and people can any real progress or satisfactory results be attained. The memorialists' proposals with regard to the establishment of Constitutional Government, the convocation of a Parliament, and the election of Members are of the most comprehensive nature; they have clearly defined the limits of the powers to be enjoyed by the new body, and have selected from the systems of other nations suitable rules not contrary to Chinese traditions.
The important point is that there should be no departure from the many Imperial Decrees already issued, and that the supreme authority should continue to be vested in
* Not yet received.
[1933 ec--1]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,
0.
97
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33530]
No. 1.
39169
[September 2
TR 27 OCT 08
SECTION 1.
(No. 390.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 28.)
Peking, September 2, 1908, REFERRING to my despatch No. 371 of the 19th ultimo,* I have the honour to iuclose for your information a translation of an important Decree of the Empress- Dowager, which was published on the 27th August, on the preparations to be made for Constitutional and Parliamentary Government.
The Princes presiding over the Constitutional Government Commission and the Senate have submitted the heads of a scheme for the inauguration of a Constitution and Parliament, which is stated not to conflict with Chinese statecraft and traditions. This scheme is approved by the Empress, and the gradual preparatory steps suggested are to be completed in nine years' time, when the Constitution will be promulgated and a Parliament summoned. In the meantime the existing régime is to be carefully respected, and agitators and other disturbers of the peace are to be rigorously suppressed.
The Imperial Decree, with the scheme attached, is to be printed in yellow (“ têng huang"), stamped with the Imperial Seal, and published broadcast over the Empire. All high officers of State, metropolitan and provincial, are held responsible for the effective carrying out of the details within the time appointed, and six-monthly reports of progress are to be made to the Court of the steps taken in the furtherance of the scheme. Newly-appointed officials are to memorialize on the action taken by their predecessors for this purpose, in order to secure continuity. Any laxity or want of zeal is to be specially reported, and offenders are warned that they will be punished mercilessly.
The scheme referred to in this Decree will form the subject of a later despatch.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Extract from the " Official Gazette" of August 25, 1908.
(Translation.)
IMPERIAL Decree issued by the Empress-Dowager on the 27th July, in response to a Joint Memorial submitted by the Constitutional Reform Commission and the Senate with reference to the establishment of Constitutional Government, the convocation of a Parliament, the methods of election, and the measures to be taken year by year in preparation for this measure.
IN view of the present enfeebled state of the country and the fact that conditions are constantly changing, it is only by unity of purpose among all, from the highest to the lowest, that the country can be preserved; only by reform of the legal system can the public peace be assured, and only by mutual co-operation and assistance between officials and people can any real progress or satisfactory results he attained. The memorialists' proposals with regard to the establishment of Constitutional Governufent, the convocation of a Parliament, and the election of Members are of the most comprehensive nature; they have clearly defined the limits of the powers to be enjoyed by the new body, and have selected from the systems of other nations suitable rules not contrary to Chinese traditions.
The important point is that there should be no departure from the many Imperial Decrees already issued, and that the supreme authority should continue to be vested in
* Not yet received.
[1933 ec--1]
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