been guarded, still they
remain as permanent records which might compromise us; and in the
event of their becoming known to foreigners, we shall not escape
severe criticism and bitter attacks, and, what is worse, should they
be handed down as part of the national records, they will stain the
opening pages of the history of the new dynasty. The Central
Government, after carefully considering the matter, has concluded
that it would be better to sort out and burn the documents so as to
remove all unnecessary records and prevent regrettable consequences.
For these reasons you are hereby requested to sift out all
telegrams, letters, and dispatches concerning the change in the form
of the state, whether official or private, whether received from
Peking or the provinces (excepting those required by law to be filed
on record), and cause the same to be burnt in your presence. As for
those which have already been communicated to the local officials,
you are likewise requested to order them to be returned immediately;
to commit them to the flames; and to report to this Bureau for
future reference the total number of documents so destroyed.

The present change in the form of the state constitutes the most
glorious episode of our national history. Not only is this far
superior to the succession of dynasties by right of conquest or in
virtue of voluntary transfer (as in the days of Yao and Shun), but
it compares favourably with all the peaceful changes that have taken
place in western politics. Everything will be perfect if whatever
mars it (meaning the documents) is done away with.

All of you have acquired greatness in founding the dynasty. You will
doubtless concur with us, and will, we earnestly hope, lose no time
in cautiously and secretly carrying out our request.

We respectfully submit this to your consideration and wait for a
reply.

(Signed) NATIONAL CONVENTION BUREAU.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] A very remarkable illustration of the manner in which Yuan Shih-kai
was trapped by official Japan during the monarchist movement has
recently been extensively quoted in the Far Eastern press. Here is the
substance of a Japanese (vernacular) newspaper account showing the uses
to which Japanese politicians put the Press:

"... When that question was being hotly discussed in China Marquis
Okuma, interviewed by the Pre