254
(12)
cordingly the Commission are not surprised to find that Mr. DEANE records the following opinion (p. 15): "I do not think the Chinese force has so far had fair play." Under these circumstances the majority of the Commission believe that the experience hitherto acquired of Chinese as policemen forms no real criterion of their capacities, and that the question of their employment as constables remains nearly an open one.
33. In opposition then to the judgment of Mr. MAY the Commission refer to Evidence of Dr. Legge. the evidence of Dr. LEGGE, whose opportunities of forming an estimate of the Chinese character are probably unequalled, and whose personal character, com- pletely impartial position, and singular learning in all matters connected with China give to his testimony a weight almost unique. He says (p. 113):
"I have been here 20 years, and I have been all the time very closely connected with the Chinese, whose language "I speak.
"The subject of Police has necessarily often come before me. I have always been impressed with the thought that "the body of the Police to he effective must be Chinese. There must also be a European element.
"First of all, it seems absurd to think that foreigners, ignorant of Chinese habits and language, can form an efficient "Police. The difficulty is want of fidelity on the part of a Chinese Police But I think no foreign Police can be efficient here, and I think this is especially applicable to the foreigners we have had, viz., East and West Indians, because the Chinese have a thorough contempt for all coloured races.
I believe that there is in the Colony, "The question then becomes-How is it possible to get a faithful Chinese Police? "especially now, a large body of respectable Chinese, wealthy and having a great stake in the prosperity of the place. A "faithful Chinese Police can only be had by having a good understanding between the Government aud these.
"Vifteen years ago, under this idea, I urged on the Government, the advisability of bringing out Cadets from home. "My idea was that the Cadets, becoming well acquainted with the Chinese language and people, should then, in such positions "as the Registrar Generalship, the Superintendency of Police, and the Magistracy, forma links between the Government and "the respectable Chinese. I do not think the thing can be done without the Government's putting its shoulder to the wheel. "I think that a very considerable improvement has taken place since the introduction of the Cadets,
"Suppose my premises to be admitted, I would then have the Chinese town divided into wards. "would have a headman, but I do not think we can introduce the principle of vicarious responsibility. "Chinese admitted into the Police except on the recommendation of a headman.
Over each ward I
I would have no
"Chinese are much afraid of our Police system and the attendances at Courts which it involves. It is very much the "loss of time which makes them so apathetic about the law. I think the appointment of a beadmuan who should be the organ "of the Chinese (in his district) would do away with a good deal of this. I do not think there would be danger of extortion "and other evils. Before I went hoane I could have picked out eight men who would have taken charge of eight wards.
"I think the system I propose would give great protection to property. It would not prevent violent crimes. The "Chinese Police system is very good in prevention and detection, but is not efficient against violence,
"The question is--What can be done to get the best Police, though it may not be very good? Aud I am convinced it "must consist for the most part of Chinese. If we carry out the principles I have indicated I have no doubt we could make a far better Police than the Chinese Government cun. I think there is no people in the world so amemble to moral influences and rules as the Chinese.
"I would give Chinese rank and file from $3 to $9 a month. I do not think we should recruit in other provinces. 1 think the organisation of the Chinese Police might be proceeded with at ones. The only way to stop bribery would be "to punish severely when it was found out. The efficiency of the Police would depend very greatly on the efficiency of the "Head. It would depend very much on the Chinese liking their lead, but they would like him none the less for making *them do their duty.”
34. The Commission may also refer to the evidence of Sin EDMUND HORNBY, Sir Elmand Hornby. whose opportunities of obtaining an insight into the working of the Chinese Police system at Shanghai must have been 129, 130):
very
considerable.
SIT EDMUND Says (pp.
"I find the Chinese Police at Shanghai plucky, and as much to be relied on, even against their own countrymen, as any other nation. I would not use onc set of Chinese against another, any more than I would police Englishmen with French, or vice versa. But I would use the Chinese system against themselves, and it is my experience that Chinese can be held faithful to European masters by a proper system of rewards and punishments. Our Chinese detectives have been very successful. The whole Police system of China, in the North at least, is that of the responsibility of the elders, "and this plan works very successfully. I don't know why this system should not work in Hongkong. A system of « vicarious responsibility would purify even the Thieves' Quarter. I expect the criminals congregate in the solely Chinese *part of the town.
Other evidence.
f'onclusions.
*
(13)
Chinese are very sensible of housurable employment, and, if once placed in a post of honour by Europeans, would be careful not to lose it. Chinese always arrest their criminals through the Ti-po, he through the elders. If Chinese here "were left more to themselves, they would e--operate. The European Police system only creates antagonism. There would **be abuses no doubt in the Ti-po systein, but they would be abuses tending to order. The Chinese are used to their vion
tyranny, and it may be said that the Police system leads to nearly as much, of a legalised kind!
"Cantonese are both cleverer and braver than Northerners. I have seen a Chinese constable tackle an English sailor, be knocked down half a dozen times, and bring him off after all. The great diffcally in such a scheme as the **Coromission proposes would be to establish a rapport between the Chinese and their immediate superiors.
"I have no faith in governing one race by another. I have had great experience in Turkey, and after trying many "nationalities found nothing would do but Turks. But by the mere imposition of a large body of constables, of whatever "class, you will never obtain order. What is wanted is, to gain the co-operation of the respectable Chinese, and utilise it."
35. Inspector GRIMES also thus expresses himself (p. 117):
"I think the force should consist of Europeans and Chinese. The Chinese should be respectable and well paid, getting "from $15 to $18 a month,"
Similar views may be found in the evidence of the Honourable C. C. SMITH, and of Messrs. DIXWELL, DOUGLAS, and RICE. It should also be mentioned that Dr. Dobs, Acting Colonial Surgeon, and Dr. YoUNG, Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, see nothing in the physical constitution and powers of endurance of Chinese to prevent their undertaking the severest Police duties likely to be required of them.
36. After a most careful consideration of the above conflicting testimony the majority of the Commission have arrived at the following conclusions:—
(a.) That the reasons which dictated the employment of a large num- ber of Indians no longer exist, and that their disproportionate costliness, and the other drawbacks connected with them already detailed (see paragraph 25) render it essential that a substitute for them should be found.
(.) That, as to recruiting the bulk of the force from Chinese, many of the most forcible arguments against such a course no longer exist, and others would seem not to have a sound basis.
(e.) That, whilst admitting the great force of many of Mr. MAY'S objections, the majority of the Commission do not deem them in- superable, or of such a character as to outweigh what they think the paramount necessity of policing the Colony with men who understand the habits and language of the people among whom their duties mainly lie.
(d.) That, in all callings which bring them into close relations with foreigners, many of them of a highly fiduciary character, the Chinese, where they have been well selected and looked after, have shewn themselves capable, adaptive, and open to educational influences, frequently in a very high degree; and there seems to be no reason to suppose that the ordinary duties of constables are different in their essence from those which Chinese have proved themselves in so many ways well fitted to perform.
(e.) That one of the drawbacks most forcibly urged upon the Com- mission to account for the want of success in our Police system and the administration of criminal law, has been the apathy of the Chinese and their want of sympathy with the cause of order. That, in the employment of alien races as a Police force, who in