211
Central Covernment and is one with which no Provincial
Authority would meddle.
His Excellency is, however, apparently
of opinion that the fact that His Excellency the Acting
Viceroy at the present moment is particularly desirous of
our good offices affords a favourable opportunity, by -
obtaining the consent of the Chinese Authorities to the
presence of a Consular Officer at the trial of Liao Wu to
settle the question locally, but I regret that I am unable
to take this sanguine view of the subject even apart from
my instructions.
The forms of torture legalised in Chinese
Courts are so barbarous, so cruel and so futile that if
their abolition could be secured in the way suggested it
ought to be worth while to make the attempt. But such would
not be the case. So long as the Consular Officer was present
no torture would of course be applied to extract evidence
against others or an acknowledgment from the accused that
he was guilty. The trial however would be incomplete u
if in the opinion of the Court the man was guilty, he
confessed or died.
ave would sumain incompleti until
I would respectfully point out to His
Excellency that it is my duty continually and persistently
to demand from the Chinese Authorities the arrest and
punishment of pirates, murders, the Authors of anonymous- and incendiary placards and other Criminals, and that I have not even the right to demand that execution by "ling chih" shall not, in the case of these criminals, be inflicted in the event of conviction, a right which was claimed by
Sir Rutherford Alcock, and admitted by the Chinese Government, in the case of criminals surrendered under- extradition warrant by the Government of HongKong. I am of course perfectly well aware that every criminal on whose arrest and punishment I insist, for the commission of a
serious
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.