CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 372

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* 2 min. phalantha

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Government and the revolutionary armies decline to consider the proposal, the Imperial Government shall, of course, have to enter into further consultation with His Britannic Majesty's Government about the steps to be taken thereafter.

(Translation.)

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

Extract from the "Gazette" of December 6, 1911.

IMPERIAL EDICT.

THE Prince Regent has received the following verbal instructions from the Empress-Dowager :-

The Prince Regent has presented a verbal memorial to the effect that during the three years of his regency his employment of officials and his administration of the Government have met with public disfavour. The establishment of a constitution was no more than empty talk, and corruption and malpractices were being carried on to such an extent that the minds of the people had gradually been alienated and the Empire dismembered. Through the mismanagement of one man the whole nation had been thrown into the most grievous distress. It was too late for him to show his repentance by pangs of heart and aches of head, for if he clung to his high office and did not resign he would cease to have the confidence of the people, and though he continued to administer the Government, his commands would be of no effect. What improvement was to be expected under such circumstances? He therefore humbly prayed to be allowed to resign the Regency and to have no further part in the affairs of the State. His statement is most earnest and sincere.

We have been living in retreat in our Palace and have been ignorant of the Government's policy. But the thought of the rising in Wuchang followed by that in other provinces, the dire effects of the warfare which meet our eyes on every side, and its disastrous result on the commerce of friendly nations-the thought of all this keeps us awake at night and robs us of our appetite. It is therefore most important that all the circumstances should be at once investigated and a scheme adopted for pacifying the Empire.

We

The Prince Regent is of a liberal, honest, and conscientious disposition, but, though most earnest in administration, he lacks the ability to cope with the present situation; be has allowed himself to be befooled, and the whole nation has suffered as the result. His prayer to be allowed to resign should therefore be granted. We hereby command that his seal of regency be given up and destroyed, and that he retire to his own Palace as Prince Ch'un and take no other part in the Government. further command that he be awarded an annual pension of 50,000 taels, to be paid out of the Civil List. In future, the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Cabinet shall be responsible for the employment of officials and the whole administration of the Government. All orders shall before promulgation be sealed with the Imperial seal, and we shall perform the ceremonial of audiences, together with the Emperor. As the Emperor is still of tender age some persons should be responsible for his personal safety.

We therefore appoint Shih Hsu and Hsu Shib-Ch'ang grand guardians, and charge them with the duty of carefully guarding the Emperor.

In view of the calamities which have occurred in every quarter, and the dangers which beset the Empire, the princes, dukes, and others, who are intimately related to us, and who share our fortunes, should each and all endeavour to cope with the present crisis, observing strictly the regulations of our clan, and not overstepping the bounds.

The Ministers of State, being entrusted with heavy responsibilities, should show themselves all the more loyal and devoted; they should purify their hearts and endeavour to put a stop to corrupt practices, so as to promote the welfare of the country and the prosperity of the people.

All our subjects should understand that we are not keeping the sovereign power for ourselves, but are making a genuine reform in the interests of the people, who must on their

part maintain good order and peacefully pursue their occupations, so that the evils arising from conflict and partition of territory may be avoided, and that a glorious and harmonious Government may be instituted. This is our sincere hope.

Sir,

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Enclosure 3 in No. 1.

Wai-wu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.

December 8, 1911.

I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that on the 6th instant the Cabinet received the following Decree [here follows Decree regarding the abdication of the Regent] and to ask that you will communicate the same to His Majesty's Government.

I avail, &c.

0

* See Enclosure No. 2.

WALWU PU.

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