subordinated merit to influence, rejected the most reasonable demands
for better government, and reluctantly conceded so-called reforms
under the most urgent pressure, promising without any intention of
fulfilling. They have failed to appreciate the anguish-causing
lessons taught them by foreign Powers, and in process of years have
brought themselves and our people beneath the contempt of the world.
A remedy of these evils will render possible the entrance of China
into the family of nations. We have fought and have formed a
government. Lest our good intentions should be misunderstood, we
publicly and unreservedly declare the following to be our promises:--
"The treaties entered into by the Manchus before the date of the
revolution, will be continually effective to the time of their
termination. Any and all treaties entered into after the commencement
of the revolution will be repudiated. Foreign loans and indemnities
incurred by the Manchus before the revolution will be acknowledged.
Payments made by loans incurred by the Manchus after its commencement
will be repudiated. Concessions granted to nations and their
nationals before the revolution will be respected. Any and all
granted after it will be repudiated. The persons and property of
foreign nationals within the jurisdiction of the republic will be
respected and protected. It will be our constant aim and firm
endeavour to build on a stable and enduring foundation a national
structure compatible with the potentialities of our long-neglected
country. We shall strive to elevate the people to secure peace and to
legislate for prosperity. Manchus who abide peacefully in the limits
of our jurisdiction will be accorded equality, and given protection.
"We will remodel the laws, revise the civil, criminal, commercial,
and mining codes, reform the finances, abolish restrictions on trade
and commerce, and ensure religious toleration and the cultivation of
better relations with foreign peoples and governments than have ever
been maintained before. It is our earnest hope that those foreign
nations who have been steadfast in their sympathy will bind more
firmly the bonds of friendship between us, and will bear in patience
with us the period of trial confronting us and our reconstruction
work, and will aid the consummation of the far-reaching plans, which
we are about to undertake, and which they have long vainly been
urging upon our people and our country.
"With this message of peace and good-will the republic cherishes the
hope of being admitted into the family of nations, not merely to
share its rights and privileges, but to co-operate in the great and
noble task of building up the civilization of the world.
"SUN YAT-SEN,
_President_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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