nd the 250 tons of parcels handled to 27,155 tons. In postal
matters China has adopted a most progressive attitude. The imperial
post conforms in all respects to the universal Postal Union
regulations. (G. J.; X.)

IV. GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Changes in the traditional form of government in China--an autocracy
based on parental rule--were initiated in 1905 when a commission was
appointed to study the forms of government in other countries.[26] On
the 1st of September 1906 an imperial edict was issued in which the
establishment of parliamentary institutions in China was foreshadowed.
In 1907 an advisory council--as a sort of stepping-stone to
representative government--was established by another edict. On the
27th of August 1908 an edict announced the convocation of a parliament
in the ninth year from that date. An edict of the 3rd of December 1908
reaffirmed that of the 27th of August. An edict of the 31st of October
1909 fixed the classes from which an Imperial Assembly (or Senate) was
to be selected, and an edict of the 9th of May 1910 gave the names of
the senators, all of whom had been nominated by the throne. The assembly
as thus constituted consisted of 200 members drawn from eight classes:
(1) princes and nobles of the imperial house--16 members; (2) Manchu and
Chinese nobles--12 members; (3) princes and nobles of dependencies--14
members; (4) imperial clansmen other than those mentioned--6 members;
(5) Peking officials--32 members; (6) eminent scholars--10 members; (7)
exceptional property owners--10 members; (8) representatives of
provincial assemblies--100 members. The national assembly, which was
opened by the regent on the 3rd of October 1910, thus contained the
elements of a two-chambered parliament. The edict summoning the assembly
contained the following exhortations:--

The members should understand that this assemblage of the senate is an
unprecedented undertaking in China and will be the forerunner of the
creation of a parliament. They are earnestly desired to devote to it
their patriotism and sincerity, to observe proper order, and to fulfil
their duties in representing public opinion. Thus it is hoped that our
sincere wish to effect constitutional reforms in their proper order
and to aim at success may be duly satisfied.

Concurrently with these steps towards a fundamental alteration in the
method of government, changes were made in many departments of the
state, a