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6
THE SLAVE MARKET NEWS.
JAN., 1933.
JAN., 1934.
THE SLAVE MARKET NEWS.
7
THE BISHOP OF LONDON'S APPEAL FOR ARMENIAN REFUGEE WORK IN SYRIA, The Editor, ** The Stars Market News."
SIE,
We are indeed grateful to you for your continual generosity in publishing The Slave Market News' to champion the cause of the most distressed of all sufferers of the human race.
ARMENIAN REFUGEES IN THE SYRIAN CAMPS.
Poverty and distress are acute amongst all the peoples of the Near East, but more especially amongst the Armenian Refugees in the Syrian Camps, whom the Lord Mayor's Fund has continuously and effectively helped, while at the same time co-operating with the Nansen Office for Refugees (League of Nations), and with other organisations, in determined efforts to find the Armeniaus permanent homes at last, in urban and agricultural settlements, in Syria and elsewhere.
But the rigours of winter are immeasurably increasing the sufferings of the thousands who are not yet settled, who are still enduring the sordid miary of the Refugee Camps. Our honorary worker writes again from the Aleppo Camp, describing pathetically her work of feeding as many children and caring for as many consumptives as the funds sent her will allow, from The Lord Mayor's Fund' and
The Save the Children Fund."
We thank very much the donors of the following eams, which we have received for the Aleppo Refugees since September 21st, 1933, viz.—one cheque for £2 6s. Od., four sums of 10s., and one of 59. ; in all, a total of £4 1ls, Od.
ALL GIFTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THIS WORK. IN RESPONSE TO THE BISHOP OF LONDON'S APPEAL FOR ARMENIAN REFUGEE WORK IN SYRIA, SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, ARMENIAN (LORD MAYOR'S) FUND, 40, GORDON SQUARE, LONDON, W.C.1.
FIGHTING THE WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that there is urgent used that all Christian men and women should be aroused to take their part in abolishing at inst, that vilest form of slavery, the White Slave Traffic,
The wonderful work of Josephine Butler and her Association for Moral and Social Hygiene, ought to be far more widely known and supported than it is, for it is through this great Leader's organisation and dauntless witness to purity, righteousness and justice that this vife traffic, under the aegis of State-Regulation of vice and licensed brothels, has been swept out of the whole of the British Empire and out of practically all of the Northern Nations of Europe.
The Reports of the Traveling Commissions of the League of Nations exposed the hideous extent to which this vile evil poisons the cities of France, Spain, Italy, and other countries of Southern Europe, of North Africa and Egypt, of Syria under the French Mandate, and is rampant in Japan and China and South America,
As has been already reported in these columns, the hearts of many men and women of good will are atirring against this abominable practice in these countries where it still degrades humanity, and the splendid work already accomplished by Josephine Butler's Association through trained and skilled workers can be widely extended throughout the world, if only the necessary funds are forthouming, and if greatly increased numbers of annual subscribers of sums both large and smail can bu aurolled.
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS TOWARDS THE FUND FOR FIGHTING THE WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, MISS ALISON NEILANS, ASSOCIATION FOR MORAL AND SOCIAL HYGIENE, LIVINGSTONE HOUSE, BROADWAY, WESTMINSTER, B. W.1.
Yours very faithfully,
THRIGBY HALL, GREAT YARMOUTH,
Christmas, 1933.
LAURA HELEN SAWBRIDGE (Hon. Secretary).
NOTE BY EDITOR-Miss Sawbridge also pleads for the Assyrians, who have been so shamefully treated by the Allies. A report of the Daau of Chichester's plea for the betrayed Assyrians appeared in the Church Timer of December 22nd.
Iteaders desirous of showing their practical sympathy with the Assyrians in their great need, would do well to get into touch with Capt. G. F. Graçst, D.S.0.4 Overseas Delegate, c/o The Save The Children Fund, 40 Gordon Square, London, W.C 1.
REPORT OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO TRAFFIC OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE EAST (Gineva, 1983).
This volume res reviewed in our columns just after its issue, but as we understand Members of Parliament are referred to this Report in order to "correct" our so called * regrettable statements" made in our editorial (October, 1933), we think it is well to state one or two facts.
The Report can be obtained from the League of Nations Publications Agente. Messrs George Allan Ltd., 40, Museum Street, London, W.C.1. pries 168. It consists of over 500 pages of closely packed information concerning the Traffic in Women and Children ju the Enet. We reature to think that any Member of Parliament who obtained this volume will not be at all impressed by the official attitude of the Coloccial Office regarding the fate of Mui Tsai in Hong Kong. It is true that the League of Nations Report reprints some extracts from the Fanale Domestic Service's Ordinanca of Hong Kong, Nov. 1923, and we would suggest to Members of Parliament that they compare the wording of the Ordinance of 1923 with the information given in the White Paper, Cind 3424, which deals with the position of affairs in 1922-29. The League of Nations Commission of Enquiry could certainly not state that slavery in non-existent in Hong Kong.
THE FATE OF MUI TSAL
Tie
The fate of Mui Tsai, or child slaves, was referred to in our October editorial, and apparently disturbed the equanimity of the Colonial Office. Chinese brothels are supposed to be closed within three years of 1931. In the League of Nations Report concerning the subject of Proctress, it is stated "It is possible to distinguish broadly between persons who procura girls in order to live on the proceeds of their prostitution and traffickers who procure girls and hand them over to brothel-keepers in return for a lump sum, former are generally middle aged or elderly women who may be prostitutes or ex-prostitutes, brothel-servants or brothel-managers. Their practice is to purchase children who are introduced by them into brothels at an early age. It is usual for them to clean these children xa daughters. The latter are also as a rule middle-aged or elderly women, who describe themselves as maidservants, or perhaps more commonly as "tstelling traders" (pedlars, commission agents, or guides). Their social status is low, and the funds at their disposal at any one time are pitibably small. In fact, it is not unlikely that these persons are usually agents working on commission. Their employera may be individuals or possibly syndicates working through a Chinese boarding-bouse. In one cane che method is believed to have been lo advance money to these agents in return for a promissory note. No doubt, also, credit is given by the boarding-house on the same terms."
We hope to make some further references to the League of Nations Report in our next issue.
HUMAN LIVESTOCK, by EDMUND B. D'ACVARONE, (M58838. GRAYSON & GRAYSON, CURZON STREzt, Mayfair, LONDON). It is to be hoped that all those interested in the subject of Slavery will obtain Mr. D'Auvargue's book. This volume faithfully records the history of slaves during the past three centuries, lifting the veil upon many aspects of the question, which other writers appear to leave alone. The terrible cruelties perpetrated on the slaven by American slave owners, and the awful conditione of the slaves in the "Middla Passage" is faithfully shown. The publication of this book should do much to strengthen the hands of those who are fighting for the Abolition of Slavery to-day. It is a terrible commentary upon civilisation to consider that many of the horrible cruelties perpetrated on slaves in the 18th. 17th, 18th and 19th centuries are still perpetrated to-day in many areas of the world where slavery flourishes.
If one could put down the book with a sigh of thankfulness that all the horrors are a thing of the past, it would be a great relief, but one knows only too well that at the time of writing, millions of human beinge are to day in bondage, and subjected to similar inhuman treatment as given in this history of the slave trade of the past.
KIYOI CHAN,
an
unwanted
Japanese
Child,
Continued from Page 4
SMUGGLING OF FLEE AND BLOOD. Concerning the “adequate penalties" im- posed, again we refer our readers to the front page, to the correspondence between Lt. Commander Hsalewood and the Colonial Office concernlog women and girls.
Again we believe in many respecte, Hong Kong lo a very well-regulated Colooy, and it seeme passing strange that difficulties should not be met by the Government of Hong Kong concerning the prevention of Importa tion of Mal Taal Into the Colony, when it la evidently quite presible to prevent or regulate the introduction of opium. One would have thought it would have been easier to have detected a "servile" boman being, thau K packet of opium. Is the amuggling of homso flesh and blood looked upon with more tolerant aye than the smuggling of oplum or dutiable merchandire, that may be calculated to swell the Exchequer ?
THIS FREEDOM,"
With reference to the statements made by the Colonial Office to the Member of Parlia ment (to whom we have referred) that the Bul Teal are required to be paid wages, and are free to leave their employers If they wish to return to their parents or if they are ill-treated," we would ask the plain man's queetlou. Is It logical to amame that chil- dren of tender age upon whom cruelties are perpetrated and upon whom rigid control la exercised by their owners, are likely to be able volantarlly to leave their owners "employera as the Oolontai Office terme them The whole evidence shows they are not free agents. And Is it likely that the army of three inspectors can ensure the payment of wages?
or
Even in Great Britain, there is plenty of work for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Concerning wages, it le evident that their wages so-called often are only paid when a particularly larld
Lee is brought before the Police Ocurt Magistrate, and it in even suggested that the arreare of wages to Mal Taal may be looked upɔn In the nature of a fiue, se shown by the last paragraph of the Colonial Ofice's letter on the first page.
The Cotonla! Ottice also Intimated that "leolated cases of cruelty to children occur in Hong Kong, se lo vary country." We would ask two questions on this matter. If only three inspectors are employed In- 1929) considered would be necessary, to it stead of an army, which the Governor (in
sa certain that there are only leolated cases of cruelty to children? The Govern ment's White Paper provides information that the number if children who are Mot Taal la Hong Kong run into many thon- escds, and the number given by indepen dent observers exceed considerably official estimates. To soy case, it can be seen that it 18 impossible to state the number of cxees of cruelty that may occur. Oan the present staff of Inspectors effectively cover the ground? Regarding the so-called "ade- guste penalties imposed,” we cau only refer our readere to the reports published in this, and in previous Issues, called from "The South China Morning Post," of the Gnes atually Imposed.
It should be borne in time that the value of the dollar in Hong Kong is about la. 4d, when calculations are made a to the adequacy of the finga,
RIPORTS NOT AVAILABLE. With reference to the concluding sen- tence of the Oolonial Office communication concerning Reports revolved fre m the Governor of Bong Kong, we must venture to observe that the people lu this country who pay for the cost of the House of Commons Library should be entitled to san the publicatione. We are given to under- stand that the pabllo are not admitted to the Library, and although the Reports re-
one
of the children
at the
Japan Rescue
Mission
Home,
Tomizawa..
ceived from the Governor of Hong Kong may contato Information that would allay public concern, it is quite possible they may bot. It would be a public-spirited action on the part of any of our Members of Parlia- ment to ask whether the Reports obtained from the Governor of Hong Kong on this subject can be published sa a White Paper, so that the public would be able to form their own conclusions, and compare it with information revolved from independent sources in the Colony.
SLAVERY DOK FLOURISH IN HONU KONG,
In spite of the oflolal view that slavery does not exist in Hong Kong, we sball contious to say that it does. The White Paper showa it does The reporte of Police Court proceedings in Hong Kong show that it doen. The evidence of the Anti- Mal Teal Society shows that It does. The books written by eye-witnesses show that It does. The photographs of reeeded obll- dren show that it dose." The records of the Anti-Slavery Society show that it does. It appeare to us that the correct thing for the Colonial Office to do is to admit that It doce. If the Government case la that they consider it la Imposalble to prevent the bartering sad selling of Chinese chil. dren under the British Flag, then the Government should my 20,
It is no auswor to say there is a Law If the Law in not enforced. Platitudinou smoke- Adresus of words do not obsezra the lurid facts. The Governor of Hong Kong la 1929 stated "VERY DRASTIC POWERS WOULD BE REQUIRED, IF REGIS- TRATION WERE TO BE MADE EFFECTIVE, AND SUCH POWERS WOULD B2 INTENSELY UNPOPULAR. That approximates the truth of the matter, and we are willing to believe It. When those "Drastic Powers" are exercised we shall bear no more of slavery in Hong Kong, But that day has not yet dawned.
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