The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-01

Of serious crimes were subject to punish
ment; now the punishment Is confined to
the guilty party. (While the practice Of
including innocent relatives in the sem
tenoe seems barbarous in the extreme, it
was, after all, not so different in principle
from the practice of the Western nations
which, in times Of war, infict punishment
indiscriminately upon innocent and guilty
alikel
S. The branding Of criminals has been
abandoned.
o. Corporal punishment Of criminals Is
also abolished.
7. The torturing Of accused persons
during trial, except where the accused is
charged with murder, and where the evil
denoe OF guilt is clear, has also been abol-
ished. According to the Chinese law, a
person convicted Of murder cannot be put
to death until he confesses, and torture
has been retained in a case of this kind as
a means Of compelling confession when
the guilt has been otherwise established,
but Mr.. WI expresses the hope that torture
In such cases will BIZ abolished in the near
future. e.
NEW PRISONS NEW JUDGES. NEW LAWYERS.
The revision commission has also sue
oeeded in obtaining an imperial decree
ordering the construction of more modern
prisons, requiring the inspection of pris-
oners and compelling humane treatment.
Formerly relief from cruel treatment could
be secured only by paying the official In
charge.
The commission is now working upon a
code OF procedure and intends, among other
things, the recommendation OF a system
OF trial by jury, the admission OF lawyers
to practice in the courts and the relieving
OF prisoners and witnesses from the hui
initiating practice Of kneeling in court.
In order to secure competent Judges and
lawyers for the carrying out Of the new
code, the commission has obtained the
sanction Of the Government for the estab-
lishment Of a law school at Pekin (the site
has already been purchased), and the high
schools and colleges Of the various provinces
ave been instructed to add law to the
curriculum Of their studies.
RAILROAD BUILDING.
Minister WI called attention to other
reforms that have been introduced into
China within the last few years, among
which may be mentioned the construction
Of railways, the establishment OF a Gov
eminent board OF commerce, the formation
Of a police force, municipal and provincial,
the PRONUNCIATION Of incorporation laws and
the esta blishment Of minis.
AT first the railroads were built by con-
c~essions issued to foreign companies, but
because Of the constant difficulties which
grew out Of such concessions there is a
growing sentiment In favor Of Government
railroads. IT was in pursuance Of this
policy that the Government acquired the
nFhts Of the American company which
was projecting a road from Hankow to
] Canton.
1 Some Of the Americans residing in China
have expressed regret that this road should
have passed out Of American hands, but
/ am satisfied that 1t is better for the United
States that China should own the road
thar that 1t should be In the hands OF for
eigners, or even in the hands OF Americans.
1t would be impossible to operate the road
without more or less friction, which would
involve the countries in diplomatio con-
troveHies. II China operates the road
herssii, we will have equal rights with
foreigners without the risks involved In
| pivAte Ownership. 90.