Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-07
PLAN TO CONTROL CHINESE
TrRnsvanI Legislative Council Has
Problem TO solve ReEardinR
Crime by Coolies.

JOHANNEsBUR Jan 6-,Special ca
blegram to The BeeD-It is only a few
weeks ago that the legislative council
passed the ordinance containing supple
mentary regulations regarding the employ
ment OF Chinese. This ordinance consu-
tutes the outward visible sign OF the new
egime inaugurated by the present super
intendent Of Chinese. Mr.. J. W. Jameson.
Finding a condition OF affairs rapidly APP
preaching chaos. Mr. Jameson has set him
self to reorganiZe the whole system OF the
control OF the Chinese on the Rand. II has
been established definitely. Mr.. Jameson
argues, that a knowledge or the Chinese,
their character and customs, is essential
for their adequate control Accordingly II
Is only natural that every one connected
with the mines should be anxious TO CO.
operate as far as possible with the new
superintendent and his stan Of inspectors.
The first step taken by Mr.. jameson is to
try TO bring the Chinese back TO proper
respect for the law and the government ~
the country. In the place Of badly drawn
notices on chance sheets Of paper imposing
proclamations, carefully worded in the
language appreciated by the Cinnamon, are
being issued. These proclamatons set forth
the duties and obligations Of the Cinnamon.
together with the pains and penalties i'm
posed for breaches Of the law. In the words
OF one OF these proclamatlons 1t is no
longer a valid excuse for a Chinaman 70
plead ignorance of the law, for it isshis FIRST
duty on entering a country to acquaint him
self with its laws and customs, and now
these laws and customs are being brought
to his notice in the plainest manner pos
sihle. The basis Of the new system Of con-
troll is that every mine must be visited once
IN twenty-four hours by a government in
spector, who will hear complaints from the
coolies and from the mine officials, Will
settle difficulties and IL need be pass sum
mary sentence on wrong-doers. At present
It is only possible to provide for such a
visit once in forty-eight hours. but with the
increase in the number of inspectors from
seven to eleven the system OF supervision
will be complete. Immunity for the Rand
from Chinese crime and disturbances, how
.vcr. will not have been secured until the
criminal element that has come over with
the bonafde laborcrs has been eliminated.
Their numbers relatively are not great, but
an organization known as the Red Door So
ciety has been formed and constitutes a
menace 10 the public peace. In most con-
signments there would seem to be two or
three bad characters who before a very
long sojourn on the Rand discover others Of
their kidney. and the society is thus able to
extend its ramhcations. a considerable
proportion OF the members have already
been arrested and are awaiting repatriation.
II will he difficult, however, to insure the
elimination Of every one unless further
powers are conferred upon the authorities.
\ time -honored principle of Chinese jus
ticc is community Of responsibility, and IL
| is said that it would facilitate the detection
| Of crime II this were introduced on the
Rand. on the preparation of any breach
Of the law where the actual wrong-doers
| are not discovered the imposition of a gen.
| eral fine on the whole compound would not
| only be understood by the Chinese, bui
would act as a deterrent TO an compounds
| at present harDoring criminal elements. II
| is to be feared however. that i'm Difference
| 10 English public sentiments which holds
| the individual rather than tho community
responsible for criminal actions such pro
| ceeding will not be sanctioned