April 29, 1907.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
FOREIGN REACTIONARIES IN CHINA.
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home administration. The only possible necessity on the reverse of the armaments first indicated. objector, then, at the present moment, to
It may by imagine d, of the chief states of Europe to lead to therefore, that when such barbarous forms taking the question of disarmament into mutual recriminations! Who, after all, is of punishment as the "
caugue and the consideration, cap come from Germany, and to be judge of the propriety of a nation's bamboo" were renounced by the Chinese Germany has not concealed her dislike to
arnaments ? And without some qualified authorities in consequence of the Peking the proposal. Without Germany's whole. ! expert to decide, how is it to be known, pronouncement, all the foreigners of the hearted acquiescence in the proposition, whether or not, a nation is keeping to the Northern port would give thanks with it is felt by all the other Powers prin- tenour of her agreement? Yet, if there be contacted palms. Sime of them did cipally interested in the preservation, no court of appeal on the question of what manifest sati fiction, and their sentimental of peace, that its discussion is in itself is or what is not a reasonable armament, it brethren oversans on receipt of the news dangerous; and far more likely to bring is inconceivable that a simple declaration of rejoicel with them over this #7 about misunderstandings than the present disarmament could be in any way binding, reform,
*ymptom of It is to be expected, likewise, that highly unsatisfactory conditions of armed This is the sort of thing that His Majesty's "the news telegraphed by our correspondent, neutrality. This has seemed so self-evident Ministers propose to bring under discussion of the moral retrogression involved by the to the other Powers that one and all have within the next couple of months. It is, of resumption of old methods, would occasion refrained from joining in the movement, course, possible that the common sens of disappointment and disapproval. Doubtless and many of them are none too well plensed Europe will take care that the representa- some has been expressed, but if so, we have that an inexperienced and sentiment il body tives will one and all refrain from giving nos noted it. We find the leiding journal like the present English Cabinet, none of ¦ offence to their neighbours, but in that case of tre Model Settlement stating that whom have had any previous training in the Conference is little likely to have any "general satisfaction will be felt " with the affairs, should have the hard hood to rush practical result. A more serious considera remtroduction of these uncivilized methods in to a matter where so much delicacy and tion is that while the other Powers have of justice, and congratulating the Tnotai knowledge is required. That Germany is been merely playing with the question, our on taking this slutary step to cope with not yet in the mood to be, as she supposes not overwise ministers have been proving the increasing lawlessness noticable in the is intended, dictated to by her neighbours their sincerity by dangerously re lucing our, Settlement. " Logically, if lawlessness in in Europe, is evident to any one carefully own armaments, and not only reducing them, er ages still more, they may go on to following the present current of affairs. actually but increasing the difficulty of indvocate me’hods even more barbarous ; Most of the other Powers are prepared at again bringing them up to the effective | but we are not concerned with thu. the moment to sympathise with Frauce in point. This is a dangerous game to play, i sufficient for the present to consider this her recent trouble in Morneen. Apparently but quos. Deus vult perdere prius demental, is apparent revulsion of sentiment on the part to show
the little regard for France a saw the proof of which the world has of the humans foreign rasdents of Shang- displayed by a powerful faction in that more than once had decision to recognise. hai. We know that ɔm nuities sho:kal state a Frenchman, who seems to have been Luck rather than judgment has on formerly crime suetimes get excited, and thirst perfectly inoffensive, was set upon and occasions proved kind to England, butto
za her than to avenge murdered almost in the very streets of the providence may be tried once too often. it. On this point, the pious but not always Capital. As no adequate reparation has
We may have to pay too dearly for our corre t ('RABB 8158 th it the act of been even offered, Fiance, has deemed it whist, even if it be so beautiful and avenging, though attended with the in. right to demand a material indemuity, unique an instrument as the assured peace fiction of pain, is oftentimes no
act of which Morocco refuses, and which France of Europe.
humanity as well as of justice; none suffer determines to enforce. It is not usual in
but those who deserve to; it is the act of these affairs for other Powers to interfere,
Gon Himself; wherans " revenge " is the unless some preposterous demand has been made or other nations'
basest of all actions, aud its spirit un- interests have
Christian. Are we to suppose that Shang- been interfered with, which in the present
(Daily Press, 23rd April.)
bai's satisfaction with the Chinese reversion case does not seem to have occurred, the
OurShanghai correspondent, a week ago, to Chinese penil practices betrays desertion Powers generally quite coinciding with the telegraphed that the punishment of the of the Christian principles of humanity French claims. Germany has had the
"cangue" bad been inflicted, and that the|nud mercy; that the ghost of Judge Lyncí grace to acknowledge this. Lately Prince Magistrate had at the same time announced walks there; and that pas cigh has usurpad YON BUELOW has been somewhat studiously that the punishment of bambooing the place of raison: Curtainly not; such announcing that Moroccau affairs do not
would be resumed. Both are peculiarly an insult is remote from our intention interest Germany. So far so good:-there Chinese methods of punishing criminals, | Our contemporary not: that has not been any disposition on the part of and both were abandoned, at Shanghai |; of the imprary aban loument of Chinese any of the Powers to question Germany's only, when the Imperial Edict concerned | methods has been a steady increase of sincerity, or to refuse to acknowledge with peual reform was promulgated. This petty crime.” Such a result, and they Germany's interest. France has, however, announcement of their resumption takes us seem TA
doubt as to its cause, Was consistently claimed that Germany's in-huck to beginnings. Oue of the few items enough to warrant their re antation. What tores's were not paramount, and tlist of Chinese domestic policy with which the good pople of Shangha... have recanted Power after forcing things to a Conference foreiguers have been most insistent to inter is no,
think. their professions of finally acknowledged this. The other lowers fere, and with which, in Treary Ports, they humanity, but their now recognized errors in this particular case have not found it have diligently and firmly in erfere l, has of setimentalism. They have discovered, necessary to make any special remark with en China's treatment of her crimmals. as their brethre at home have not, Fregard to the demands of Frane, and The chief, if not the only, reason for the ! that Shangbai
Dot Utopia. The Germany has so far coincided in their institution and existence of the Mixed molłycodding of criminals at homo may views that she also has allowed her Courts was and has been that foreiguers have its effect
day; but the consent. Had she objected it was, of were determined to check, under their own
effect is DOL 80 immeliately appareut course, quite within her rights to state her noses if nowhere else, what they were
84 it was in a community like that of ideas. She has on the contrary rather
Shanghai. It was a in stake to relax the gone out of her way to assure France that
Chinese severity that alone impresses she will use her influence with the Court of
Chinese criminals, and the mistake should Morocco to induce it to acceed to the
be frankly admitted.
Our contemporary latter's demands, and France not unnaturally
does not seem quite willing to go this resents this apparent piece of patrounge
length, however. It is uneasily conscious The difficulty in the matter is enhanced by
of the awkwardness of the dilemma, mal it the consideration that Germany is on such
almost (we use the word in all kindliness, a subject the most touchy of the nations,
having no alternative) —it almost shuffles. and a matter of no consequence to the world
We quote: at large, and of really no importance to either of the natious concerned, has thus by a few indiscreet words been apparently made to assume a gravity which really does not belong to it. Now, if in a com paratively minor discussion, a single. probably unintentiqual, turu iu a s-n'ence has thus been sufficient to bring about a couple of days' uneasiness throughout Europe, how much more likely is the discussion of such delicate matters as the
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pleased to cul nativ judicial brutality and native cruelty. The Chinum 670's in humanity to Chinaman made them moura; nothing if not huisue, the foreigners in China recognised as their foremost mission and duty the task of teaching the Chinese milder metho is of dealing with offenders against society. The native Magistrate of the Mixel Court is Justice personified; the foreign. Assessor who sits beside him is first and foremost the incarnation of that Mrey
It has been urgal that both ar› degrading with which foreign humanity wishes to pauishments and wholly repugnant to British temper Justice. Of course we do not over.
principles W. are prepared to admit that no look the fact that it may be his duty to
panishmat per se in edifying; but provide l thst forms that are notally brutil or reverse roles occasionally; if the Mgistrate ab olutely meaningless are avoided, the main were to show signs of venal indulgence to ¦ objsat o' paaishment is achieved if it nota an evilly.disposed compatriot, the Assessors a deterreat na orima. With regard to the would suggest a sentence ture com mei - tw. punishments in question the bamboo la surate to the crime and the needs of the not so far roured from the birch and the
But in theory and in fact, we believe cat. used in British prisons, to call for com the Assessor's original intention was as
ment. We may note in passing that, although it has not yet been revised at the Mized Court,
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