CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 145

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

C O

[Janbary 12502

143

CONFIDENTIAL.

[1142]

No. 1.

SECTION

Rros FEB 10

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.(Received January 11, 1910.)

(No. 474.) Sir,

Peking, December 20, 1909. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith a very exhaustive and instructive account of the constitution and opening proceedings of the provincial assemblies which met for the first time on the 14th October last,

This review of the constitutional movement in China has been prepared by Mr. Campbell, Chinese Secretary of the legation, who has drawn the materials for it from the reports which the consuls at the important centres were instructed to furnish, and may,

I think, be accepted as embodying the most complete and authentic information that is obtainable on the subject.

As it seems to me highly important that the further progress of the movement should be carefully watched by the members of His Majesty's service in this country, I would suggest that the present paper should be printed and copies of it distributed amongst the various consulates, so that it may serve as a guide for further researches, and form a basis for the framing of similar reports in the future.

Without some such common basis to work upon, it is extremely difficult for consular officers scattered over such a large and diversified country as China to contribute the data necessary for an intelligent study of a question of this kind.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Report by Mr. Campbell respecting Provincial Assemblies of October 1909.

INDEX

Origin

Governing Rules

Election Law

Composition and Numbers

Elective Franchise ..

Sittings

Business and Powers

Decree of October 13 on opening Assemblies

Shantung

Preparations

Electorate

Distribution of Seats

First Election of Delegates

PROVINCES.

Second Election of Members Presidents and Standing Committee Opening Ceremony, October 14

Governor's speech

President's Address

Rules of Procedure

Programme of Government Business

Manchuria-

Feng-tien..

Electorate

First Election ..

Secoud Election

Composition of Assembly

Opening Ceremony

Business

Kirin: Opposition to Governor Heilungchang: Opening [2605 7--2}

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