CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7] — Page 209

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.