The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-08
AN IsHUmAN ORDER.

Mr.. Cleveland's Mugwump secretary of
state will never be forgotten by Japan.
lie has added one more link to the chain
Of evidence proving his well established
incompetency. The fact that two Japa-
nese students at shanghai, who were ac-
cused by the Chinese of being spies, and
having appealed unsuecessfully TO the
American consul for protection were exc
euted by their captors, has been published
in the news columns of the Posr-IsTELII-
GEscKa IL was also rumored that these
poor students were horribly tortured be-
fore being put TO death,
The correspondent of Harper's Weekly at
Shanghai, Mr.. Julian Ralph. confirms the
rumor OF the torture and death of these
students. who suffered tenfold agoniss for
two days. while their prosecutors racked
their brains for means by which to inilict
the most extreme pain possible 10 the
human body.
The story of this outrage and Mr..
Gresham's connection Herewith is briefly
told In q New York Sssn editorial. These
students being accused of being spies, ap-
pealed to our consul resident at Shanghai
tor protection. The consul desired 20
shield them and wired the secretary of
state for leave 20 do so. Instead of gain
ing the permission sought, be received
peremptory orders 20 surrender them to
their aecusers. They were surrendered
and Nrociously tortured until they ex-
pred.
When Mr.. Gresham began TO read strin-
gent criticisms Of his Inhuman order in
the daily press. he at first attempted 10
discredit the reports. Afterward, when
their truth was substAntiaied by indis-
putahle evidence, he sought refuge behind
a technical rule of international law be-
tween civilized nations, which forhEds a
neutral power from harboring spies, and
compels their surrender upon demand OF
the opposing power.
But as the Sssn shows. and as Mr.
Gresham ought to have known, this rule
applies only when both the eontestinr
powers rank as civilized. In all such na-
tions the punishment Of q spy is death.
In no civilized nation Is torture tolerated.
The prstext under which Mr.. Gresham a..
ssmpts to shield himself Is that Japsn
would have expected the surrender OF Chi.
ness under analogous oircams;ances. Here
IN lies the difference; Japan 4. civilized.
China Is not Throughout the war thu.
far waSed. the conduct OF the troops Of the
mlkado has been remarkably exemplary
when The character and harbarities OF the
enemy are considered. Japan has already
been recognized ~ England In treaty as
one 81 the eiyilixed powers Of the world.
Mr.. Cleveland viii soon send 30 the senate
Tor approval similar treaty between this
nation aad Japan. aud all the great na-
tious Of Earops vili probably follow suis
Had eitirsn Of any European govern
ment made similar APP leatlon 20 our con-
sal for protection. NJ. Gresham would rot
have venturea - surrender him n tha
Chinese bNrbarians. This country hss
never recognized China as civilized.
Neither has any Eovernmen. Of
Earope AL oesnsss ca,nrnI.,.s
by Ger eitiseas IN chin. a..
tried before the consular courts, our gov.
srnrnsni pSssisssntly refusing to recognize
the Jurisdiction e Chinese tribunals owe,
IL, cisssns. In che treNy jsss prepared
unaer Ar. Gre.hssn's owu Supervision. ths
iurisaictaon 81 japanese courts over the
rersons q offenders against hs- Lass. who
a-e. moreover. citizens % TIE Unltsa
States. u conceded Mr.. Gresham sAoaia
kuow that ta this rseoxnltton. garaa 4.
placed upea tbs isvsl of al other csvsz.xed
nations
Whsa NJ. GRESHAM se,s tAFoagA hung-
lag the foreign polley % fhis government
and hes himself back to iadisnA lie wlll
nes carry 18th hin tss enthusiastic
psssila Ct ne American pse9.s. SAL