A Chinese Manifesto.

Manawatu Herald, 27 August 1898, Page 2

A Chinese Manifesto.

The Emperor of Chin* has issued a curious decree, a sumpary of which is published in tho London Times. It is a pathetic wail over the impotence of China in the face of her foes, and tin corruption and inefficiency of the officials, who ponr in memorials as to what Bhonld be done to strengthen and preserve the Empire ; " but when any question of vital importance with foreign countries arises, these men, who are so eager to advise, are found wanting. Thn is their condition now (pursues the Emperor) just when the country is surrounded on all hands by powerful and crafty neighbours, who seek advantages, and combine to overpower China, because they see the defences of the country are neglected and decayed, and the fleet is small and insignificant." The Emperor continues to bewail " the practice of putting dummy names on regimental rolls, corruption in the likin (Customs) and salt departments and the mnecues for favoured officials." The decree ends by the hope that brave and capable "officers will be forthcoming who will " be a human bulwark to the country ugainst aggressive foes." But' unfortunately China seems utterly unable to produce '• the brave and capable " men needed at the present crisis in her history, although it is difficult to believe that she tiatj'none among all her hundreds of millions of a pojjulattyn,. „ " ;r r . a v^ ,