203
That these men were tortured is, I regret to say,
in my opinion very probable. As His Excellency is doubtless
aware, no criminal in China, as a genral rule, even when
convicted on the plainest and most incontrovertible evidence,
can by Chinese law be executed unless he admits his guilt:
and in cases where the evidence warrants it, the unhappy
criminal is tortured until he does so, or dies. To us this
is simply horrible and inconclusive, but I am very much
afraid that no protest, even to the witholding of prisoners
made by us in the suppression of the piracy, will have any
effect whatever on the abominable practice. Assertions that
nothing of the kind ever takes place would possibly be
indeed.
forthcoming in abundance, unless,, the stand was taken that such was the practice in China and was found necessary.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) B. C. George Scotty
**
Her Majesty's Consul.