THE CHINESE REBELLION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3443, 7 February 1912, Page 9

THE CHINESE REBELLION.

"1 SWEAR TO REFORM.” PENI j ENT EMBER wR. On October 30 an Imperial edition was issued by the Prince Regent of China. The following translation was published in the “North China Daily News”: — * “I have reigned for three years a,nel have always acted conscientiously, in the interests of the people. But I have not employed men properly not having political skill. I liave ompio-yeti too many .nobles in political positions, an act which hasr contravened conqtitutonifllism. On railway matters someone whom I trusted fooled me. Thus public opinion was opposed to this policy. “When I urge reform, officials and gentry seize the opportunity to embezzle, When old laws are abolished high officials serve their \i-ivn ends. Much of the people’s money has been taken, but -nothing to benefit the people lias been achieved. On several occasions edicts have promulgated the laws, but none have been obeyed. The people are grumbling. yet I do not know of it. Disasters loom ahead, but I do not see them. “In Szeclman trouble first occurerd, the Wuchant rebellion followed; now alarming reports come from Shensi and Honan. In Canton and Kiangsi riots appear. The whole Empire is seething, the minds of the people arc perturbed. and the spirits of our nine late Emperors are hot able properly to enjoy the sacrifices made to them, while it is feared that the people will suffer grievously. “All these things are my own fault. Hereby I announce to the world tluit I swear to reform and with our soldiers and people to carry out the constitution faithfully, modifying legislation, developing the interests of the people and abolishing their hardships, all in accordance with the wishes and interests of the people. Old laws that arc unsuitable -will bo abolished. The union of Mail elms and Chinese mentioned by the late Emperor I shall carry out.

“As regards Hupeh, and Hunan, for their grievances, though precipitated by the soldiers and caused by Jue Cheng, I only blame myself because I had mistakenly appointed him. The soldiers and people are Innocent. If they return to their allegiance. I will excuse the past. “Being a very small person standing at the head of my subjects, I see that my heritage is nearly falling to the ground. I regret mv fault and repent greatly. I can only trust that my subjects will support the soldiers in order to support me, to comfort the millions of my people, to hold firmly the eternity of the Dynasty and to convert danger into tranquility. The patriotism of the Empire’s subjects will be appreciated and trusted for ever. “Now finances and diplomacy liave readied bed-rock. Even if all mute, there is still fear of falling. But if the Empire’s subjects will mot regard nor honor the State, and are easily misled by outlaws, then the future of China is unthinkable. I. am most anxious by day and night, I only hope my subjects will thoroughly miderstand.”