The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-05-08
Continued from Pdqe 1.

statute took is the TOLERATE n of the in
human practice of torture of wit
nesses and Of spusectcd persons. 1t is
one of the most important points in the |
OF foreign treaties with |
Japan that she should reform her
iudicature, and il such reform l. |
needed IN Japan to justify the foreign |
powers in admitting her on
footing of equality, how much more |
necessary is it that China, befor,
she can be rccugri eel rs u cIvi !
Used country, should est ,blish judi
cial system that will command respec,
and recognition and ensure the ends OF
Justice to the people, rich and poor
alike, who have the misfortune to APP
pear either before the civil or the crimi-
nal courts. The punishments inflicted
under Chinese law must conform to the
dictates OF humanity and civilisation.
The prisons must be altered; litigants
or prisoners must be afforded the assis-
lance of practitioners trained in the law;
and the jury system might lie establish
ed with beneficial results.
Taking into account the vastness of
the Chinese Empire and its enormous
POI ulatiou the Imperial revenue is very
small. This is attributable to the mode
Of collection, official populations, and
the limited nature of the couutry's pro-
duction. industry ard lrade. To carry
ont the reforms suggested in the adj
ministratiun of the country aud 10 en-
lir ~ reconstruct the army aud the
navy On new lines, with efficient
officers. it is obvious that larger
revenue vii he required than under
the present system. Tie revenue of
| China would require To- he quIdrupled
| a,n a,fltI ttt
| This can be done wiihout imposing
further restrictions on trade and with
out subiecGng the people to increased
burdens. Previous tn the establish
ment of the Chinese Imperial Maritime
Customs, the collection of customs
duties was not only unsatisfactory but
the amount collected was less than at
present, even allowing for the expan.
sion of trade in the interval. and
he Imperial Exchequer, under the
old system, did not receive "a
half Of the total amount collected
1t is proposed to place the col
lection OF inland revenue into the hands
of foreigners. under IA sim lar arraT ge-
mtut to the Maritime Customs, until
china i in a position TO dispense with
all fnrciyu assi lance. BY this means
leakage will be stopped and the revenue
cuusic erably increase without add
tioual calls upon the people, and ms
trade would be freed from the iuiauitous
rp.trcttpps il prouns urder Mt ,'rpser +
There would be an enormous increase in
the internal as well as i'm the foreign
trade. FIR providing the genddrmerie,
w ter supplies, good roads and bridges,
and the proper ligh'ing of tOwus. new
tlXes would ia time be impose I but this
| will not entail a greater outlay To the
Chinese who have 10 nav ILLEGAL innos, :
nov without deriving amy benefits 4
mines were opened up. r6valtia, would
Indd to the Imperi,l Excheouer. i'm.
nrovpd agriculture and Increased pro.
duction w,ud naturally increase the
revenue. and much more will be done
nv oreuinp nm the c.,lntry to foreign
trade and commerce by the openinp of
mora trading centres or ports for the
TRANSACTION of commercial business by
atrurdinp increased facilities for
cnmmunicotion and for tbe ouick
carriage and TRANSPORT of goods
land by the repeal of ali
laws that have a retardinp eject upou
trade. Apart altogether from the GOV.
ernmentai causes that have prevented
trade EXPANSION. there is undoubtedly
certain d gree of popular prejudice &c
be over come. The construction of rail.
WAYS and the opening up of mines will
raise tho difficulties Of fung Shui and
ancient burial SDIaces. Tits is only n
matter of superstitious belief, and the
more enlightened rsformers are con.
WINGED that the Chinamln is too de ep'y
imbued with the commercial instinct &c
allow these difficulties to stand IN the
way of the development Of the country
and the probable Improvement of hi.
own income. At any rate a good ex.
ample might be shown by those in
authority. The opening of school,
throughout the coumtr, and the grad.
ual spread of knowledge will also he!u
to dispel the blightlng superstition that
now prevails. Much may be hope1
from religious liberation and scientific
education, and both of these find 6
place in the scheme of reform.
This is a very brief outline of the
proposals that are promulgated by
the leaders in tive reform movement
in China. As may be imagined
there is much more detail, and it j.
, evident that, if successful in 0verturn
ing the present order or things. the re
formers, with the aid of foreign advisers
should be able TO reconstitu the Gov
eminent on modern lines to the bene
fit of the whole population. Allowing
for differences Of racial characteristics
there is no reason why China should
not make great advances in the social
scale, although the improvement NAV
Wisely and firmly ruled, the Chimes,