Declaration in Favour of Local isme>—Self-government Tuchun Tang Chi-yao has sent out a circular telegram, to the provinces advocating Federal Government and local self-government. The following is a translation of the original Chinese:—"Since the outbreak of civil strife there has been constant talk of the ways and means toward the reunification of the country, but the goal seems to move farther and farther away. The hope for peace has been countered by deeper strife and endless turmoil. Instead of peace and reunification of une country, aggressive policies have been pursued toward selfish ends. This, therefore, has been the deplorable cause of the unmanageable differences between North and South.
"In view of continual national disorder and the advantage taken for carrying on unnecessary warfare, I was once of the opinion that in order to avoid further struggle and bring about peace and order to the country, political adjustment instead of military operations would have to be resorted to. It is my sincere hope that the different provinces will sink their differences and foster good will and better feelings toward one another.
"In order to attain these ends, I some time ago proposed that the provinces be united by the Federal Government " system. Telegrams had been sent out to the different provinces for their respective views, but, in the interim, on account of unforeseen difficulties thrown in the way, the object. has not yet been achieved. And now people are suffering worse and worse every: day from the effects of the civil strife, and the day seems still very far off when the blessings of peace and reunification of the country will be brought about.
"Necording to what we have learned from our past experiences, and so far as public opinion is concerned, the Whole country is now up against the centralization li of power in the hands of the Central: Government, and unanimously in favour of local self-government; the only remedy for the salvation of the country, therefore, would be the adoption of what 1 have proposed, the Federal Government system.
"Should it be possible to unite the provinces through local self-government, the: Central Government will thereby be formed. The provinces, therefore, will be given opportunities to develop themselves to their best advantage. The Federal Government system, therefore, in my opinion will be the best means for effecting peace and reunification of the country, so as to prevent further unnecessary strife with its disastrous consequences. The Federal Government system, if actually carried out, firmly lays the foundation of the country. I do not mean that the provinces close their doors exclusively for their own interests; neither do I mean that the others be compelled to follow our schemes, but it is my vehement desire that we should ce-operate with united effort in devising ways and means, so that the desired political system will be brought forth according to law, and that any obstacles against the formation of this system be removed.
"I therefore sincerely hope that, for the sake of patriotism, you will all ce-operate with me in achieving this common goal and shall be thankful for any views that you can offer.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.