The Washington herald., 1908-02-23
speelaI 70 Lac washington Hold.


ing at the services in connection with
the thirty-second commemoration day AT
Johns Hopkins University.
In his address, the judge said in no
mistaking terms. that he does not pro
pose to relincuish his present position,
and that he will not permit hair-spItting
lawyers to bother the proceedISgs of his
court.
His address was on Americas op-
portunity in China" Judge Wiley is the
man whose energetic warfare against
shyster lawyers in Shanghai has caused
charges against him to be preferred at
Washington, but Attorney General Bona
parte was present this morning and
smiled benignantly upon the speaker.
The audience also pronounced judgment
in favor Of the judge, giving its largest
measure Of applause to his statement that
he had not allowed hair-spliting lawyers
10 delay the work of the court In China.
This caused the speaker to deviate from
his manuscript long enough TO say en-
phatically:
The greatest shame of The admins
tration OF the law in this country is that
the courts permit the lawyers to waste
time and confuse the issue and finally 10
defeat the ends Of justice. by the endless
discussion Of their fine-spun theories
Thc Opening Up of China.
Judge Wiley said. in part
THAT China is resolved TO take on
Western life is manifested to the most
casual observer. This awakening is e
fact Of world importance and Of profound
significance. To raise the standards Of
living in China to the average standard
Of the United States would be equiva-
lent. SO far as our markets are concerned.
10 the creation of five Americas. There
are four facts which furnish convincing
proof Of this awakening
"First-The abolition Of the old classical exami.
nations.
"second-The growth Of the spirit Of nationality.
'Thrd-rhe existence Of desire for Western
leaning on the rar Of the Young which Is uni
yersal.
'Fourth-The adoption Of modern methods Of
transportation and communication.
BY far the most radical and far-reach-
ing Of all reforms which China has yet
accomplished is the abolition OF the old
classical examination as condition prec-
edent to entrance into and promotion in
the public service
Public Opinion in China.
The growth Of the spirit OF nationality
is only less significant This is a result
Of the development OF public opinion in
China. Twenty years ago there was no
such thing as Chinese public opinion. and.
while 1t does not there exist as well de-
fined and clearly articulated as in Amer
lea. yet there is what may be termed a
public feeling in China. which is distinct
and powerful. and is co-extensive with the
empire. Japan's phenomenal progress dur
ing the last fifty years. and especially her
victory over Russia. has created a pro-
found impression upon the Chinese people
The spirit Of Japan is abroad in Asia.
Japan for the Japanese. China for the
Chinese. the Philippines for the Filipinos.
India for the Indians, are the present slo-
gans OF the Orient.
On account OF Chfnas proximity 10 Ma
Mia we furnished our full quota of un-
desirable characters. This riffraff element
was made up of gamblers sharks. disrep-
utable women. and 4 number OF adven-
turous spirits Of the legal profession. The
disregard Of this element for law and de-
cency was so marked that in some places
our flag came TO be a symbol Of immo-
rality and shame.
Legal Sharks Ruled OuI.
The first rule the court adopted re-
lated 10 the admission of attorneys to the
bar. and required that all American at
torneys take an examination prescribed
by she court and furnish a satisfactory
certificate of moral character The an
nouncement Of this rule had the effect Of
deterring a number Of the worst lawyers
in China from making application for ad-
mission. Out of fifteen applicants. nine
have qualified The district attorney
thereupon proceeded in prompt and Wig
orous manner TO prosecute all violators
Of the law
one of the worst enibarrassments that
has confronted the court is the lack Of an
adequate body Of laws to be applied and
administered by II.
Return of Boxer Indemnity.
IF Congress, as is now proposed. re-
turns large portion Of the Boxer indem-
nifty. the influence exerted will be of ines
timable value. In this connection II is
the earnest hope of all Americans In
China who are interested in the welfare
If their country and in the future of the
Flowery Kingdom that the money thus
returned will be expended in the endow
ment Of an educational fund TO be en-
ployed in sending clever young Chinese
students 20 America to be educated in
our schools and colleges.
Among the many changes that have
AIKEN place in China in recent years.
zone is more marked than the improve
nent in the methods adopted by the mis-
siOparies Time formerly spent in pros
iyting is now devoted almost exclusively
the work of education and the con-
;ruction of hospitals and eleemosynary
1sututions. Den0minational lines are
apidly vanishing
International StatexmnnShip.
In my opinion. one of the great needs
the present situation in the United
states is the development among our puh-
'ic men Of what might, for lack of a bet
Ter term. be designated as statesmanship
IN international affairs. We are now
touching the world in more points than
ever before in our history and are playing
an important role in international af-
fairs
In the field Of diplomacy there is i'm
portant work to be done. and I do not
hesitate TO express the opinion that In
the whole world there is not now a diplo
matte pos. so important 10 the United
Statss as our legation in Pekin. It is one
of the few posts where there is stiu MAY
for constructive diplomacy While China
at the present time is undertaking TO re
form her administration and develop her
resources aloEe. yet it is highly probable
that the time will come when she will be
in need of a friendly hand and will inevi
1ably turn To her traditional vouu1 FrIa,d