Now in view of the general tone of Mr. Li Hsieh-yang's persistent attacks on the Manchu Emperor and Imperial Family, " which certainly. give the impression that he is situated by other motives than pure and disinterested zeal for the public good and the triumph of, right and justice, we shall hardly expect to find him going out of his way t6 treat the nineteen-year-old Emperor with anything remotely resembling chivalrous courtesy; but in view of his position as a member of the Legislature he should at least aim at scrupulous accuracy in his phraseology where legal niceties are concerned, and especially wher from his place in the House, he is addressing questions to' the Executive. Nevertheless, Mr. Li not only studiously ignores the Emperor's right to the imperial title but constantly refers to him. by his personal name, a practice which, as all Chinese' and many. foreigners well know, is a very grave breach of decorum. I am surprised that the Government, which as I have said is always careful to refer to the Manchu Emperor in proper terms, has not long ago pointed out to him that in address-1g questions to the Government on matters connected with the Manchu Emperor he should be careful refer to him in the terms which the Government itself recognizes as legal and correct. If Mr. Li vofused to take the hint, the Government would be fully "justified declining to answer his questions until they were couched in the proper language. Will Mr. Li now be good enough to explain how it is. that while he sternly rebukes the Manchu Emperor for alleged breaches of the Abdication Agreement, he himself regularly treats at least one of its clauses with studied contempt?
Fatuous Tittle 5.—My last question a very imple one. Will Mr, Li tell us whether he took any steps to as-Jecrtain the accuracy of the news-[paper stories wu which he based ihis charges against the Manchu [Emperor with regard - to. the {Summer Palace? If not, is he 50 simple-minded and Inekinge in world ily wisdom as to accept all news paper tattle ut its face-value? attention to a scent newsjuper paragraph which y would have provided excell _material for another Parlia-itary question. Within the last few weeks it has been stated in many Chinese newspapers that the Manchu Emperor called at my) idence in Peking, for the purpose of discussing with me in private the question of road. In the Chinese section of. the'"Far Eastern Times" the parajsraph was headed "Hsuan Tung [secretly plots to go abroad"
'se VELHER): and in the Englis section of the same paper (July 21st) the following remarks appeared: "The Intest report is that the boy Emperor has been for two days closeted with Mr. Johnston in the latter's house......working out a plan to facilitate the boy Emperor's departure abroad, on which his heart iis set."
Now the true facts of the case are that on July 16 last the Manchu Emperor, accompanied by his father-in-law, did me the honour of calling upon me, and remained at my house about 20 minutes, during which time not a single word was spoken by the Emperor or myvelt or anyone else on the subject of a visit to foreign lands. Let us observe how this single brief visit has become the basis for a statement that the Emperor was "for two days closeted" with me in my house. The statement that the purpose of the visit was to hold a secret discuss regarding an' alleged desire of the Emperor to visit foreign countries was a pure invention. It was also a singularly fatuous invention, for it implies a belief that in order to hold a secret conference with me it would' be necessary for the Emperor to visit my private house, in spite of the fact that in the Forbidden City I see His Majesty alone nearly every day. Further; the-reader is allowed to assume that.the Manchu Emperor's attempt to hold a private discussion with me in my house was foiled by journalistic enterprise: otherwise, how could the subject of our alleged secret plotting have got speedily into the papers? Evidently the walls of my house are well provided with ears, The basis of truth that the story contains is, then, a very slender one; but that, presumably, would not have de ferred Mr. Li from making it a subject for Governmental enquiry if it had come to his notice. He seems to have missed a great opportunity.
Truth Quite Easy to Learn, I fully admit that it is often so difficult for private individuals to ascertain the truth or falsity of newspaper statements that it is necessary, when important interests cor issues are involved, to appeal to Government to institute inquiries. and communicate the results to an anxious public, But in the case of 'Mr. Li's question about the Summer Palace, no such difficulty existed. 'The Summer Palace is situated only a few miles from Peking and can be reached by motor-car in half an' hour. Had he come direct to the The Summer Palace, Palace (it would have occupied less time than it took bim to indite his questions, and would. have giver' him a delightful respite from' h hig arduous and disinterested. Parlin mentary labours), he would have been promptly admitted and hope) treated with courtesy und consideration.
Another half hour spent in the Palace grounds would have convinced him-that he might save himself the trouble of asking unnecessary questions in the House, hope that if in future he finds himself in any perplexity about what is being done at the Summer, Palace he will not hesitate to adopt my suggestion and come straight those who can give him' all the information that he can reasonably, require, Should: I still be in ad= trative charge of the Palace when he comes, I hope he will: condescend to consider himself my, guest; and though 1 shall be unable to offer him the choice between the of fare of ten restaurants, I trust he will Have every veason td satisfied with the culinary capabilities of one, R. F. Jonxstox.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.