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Show CHINA 10 CONSIDER iTiOiJEFEIM Question of Preparedness Will Come Up Before First Parliament. MEETS IN DECEMBER Construction of Railways and Colonization of Frontiers Fron-tiers Scheduled. NEW YORK. Aug. 8. An extensive programme for national defense, including includ-ing conscription for the army, will be laid before China's first parliament when it assembles In December, according to a forecast of the government's intended proposals, given out by the far eastern bureau here. Plana are also to be submitted sub-mitted looking to the building of new raJlways, the colonization of frontiers, the reform of the taxation system, the development devel-opment of mining and the establishment of a government labor bureau. The proposals pro-posals are subject, It is explained, to such changes as may be made neoe&eary by events transpinng between now and the general elections In October. The gerenal defense board, it is stated, is now in session with the leading officials of-ficials of the armv and navy completing and correcting three bills for submission Immediately after President Yuan, tihi-Kal's tihi-Kal's statement to parliament, as to the general condition of the nation. The first bill relates to the expansion of arsenals and the development of navy yards. Parliament Par-liament will be asked for an appropriation appropria-tion of J15.00O.O0O for the installation of machinery for the manufacture of modern mod-ern rifles and machine guns and suitable appropriations will be sought to enable the navy yards to turn out submarines, torpedo boats, light cruisers a nd other coast defense ships adapted to China's waterways. Conscription Provided. The, second bill, it is said, provides for conscription. It is planned to commence conscription with the beginning of IS 16. The general board has already taken steps to pave the way for this measure, which. It is expected, will be approved by the people, notwithstanding China's age-old peace-loving proclivities. Soldiership is described as being encouraged and extolled ex-tolled in all the public schools and by every ev-ery official. The third bill provides for the estab- lishment of naval bases and coast and frontier fortifications. The economic, measures are being considered con-sidered by the cabinet. President Yuan I hi-Kai wllf urge definite steps, it is i stated, towards carrying out the trunk : railway pl.ms and the extension of branch I railways for wnich the survyB have al- j ready been made, as well as light rail- ways to link up Important mining and other industries. Colonization Plan. The proposed colonization rij the frontiers fron-tiers Is chiefly designed. It is explained, to cope with the tendency on the part of j some of China's neighbors no encroach ' upon her national domain. U is planned j to encourage the people to leave congested con-gested districts and settle In parts of Manchuria, Mongolia. Eastern Turkestan, Kokonor and Tibet. In reforming the taxation system the : government Intends to make a strong 1 p)a. It Is asserted, to end once and for1 ail local and petty tyranny which is said to b fostered by the old Manchu unequal " system of taxation, and to be largely responsible re-sponsible for the poverty of the people. The revision of the customs tariff is aii-o to be strongly urged. The programme fu- mining development contemplates encouragement through protective pro-tective laws and subsidies where necessary. neces-sary. Respecting the establishment of a labor bureau. It is stated that only two-fifths two-fifths of the peoplo of China have regular regu-lar trades or professions. The bureau will give them an opportunity to get regular reg-ular employment, including work in government gov-ernment factories, and at the same time native Industries will be developed. |