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means of a crude Chinese chaff-cutter, with such torture to the first victim that the other prisoners filled the air with their shrieks and protests, and other means were adopted to despatch them. Only just over two months ago, in Shanghai, a condemned criminal was roped by the neck to the cross-piece of a rude wooden cross, and left there dangling and slowly strangling for ten minutes. The executioners hung on to his legs to stop his struggles, and when this did not cause speedy death, killed him by kicks in the stomach! This dastardly performance was recorded in the Shanghai press at the time, and seems to have elicited no protest in Chinese circles. With constant evidence of Chinese brutality vindictiveness, corruption, and lawlessness before him, it is not surprising that the foreign layman should feel apprehensive regarding the consequences of subjecting himself, his family and his property, to Chinese jurisdiction."
In face of such facts may it not reasonably be submitted that the foreign position in China affords the only rallying point for the forces which make for stability? Can it be suggested that the Powers led by America, Great Britain and France have acted unreason- ably in refusing to agree to the immediate abrogation of Extra-territorial rights? Would not any other course result in the sacrifice, for the sake of a political shibboleth, of the legitimate interests and personal security of their Nationals? Would it not even be a crime against the Chinese People, since the delicate fabric of foreign trade laboriously constructed during the past 80 years and supported by the very influences and safeguards which Chinese officialdom desires to see abolished, would crash to the ground with disastrous results to millions of Chinese.
For:
The Tientsin British Committee of Information
Pf. Kemb.
Chairman.
(Note: The brochure by Mr. Woodhead referred to above may take longer in the post than this memorandum or possibly may miscarry. In such event application to the Secretary China Association, 99 Cannon Street, E. C. 3 will result in a copy being supplied in due course, as additional copies are being sent by parcels post to the Association.)