The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-02
CONTINUED from Page one.)


committee Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association, who has Just returned
TO Shanghai, China. where he has re-
sided for ten years as foreign secretary
OF that body. This letter is in line with
the quotations contained in your re-
port. and the statements therein made
IN reference to the character ana con-
duct of Judge Wiley and his accusers
are borne out by the statements Of
every reputable man, whether business
man. missionary, government agent, or
representative OF a philanthropic or re-
ligious body, who has written to me.
II is clear that Judge Wiley has been
attacked not because he has done evil,
but because he has done good.
Impeachment of Decency.
''rhe assault on him is simply ar inn
parchment or decency and zeal 70. the
public good. and II successful would
tend to COW and discourage every hon
est public ssrvant who dares TO with
stand the 5orces banded together for
evil, and would do grave damage 20
the honor and interest Of our country
In the Orient. II the attack were to
succeed, the benehCiaries would be
every keeper of a house Of prostitution.
every swindling lawyer. every man who
lives by bIackmail and corruption, In
the cities of the Far East. These are
the people whose hopes have been re-
YiVed by the effort TO overthrow this
upright and fearless judge, who has
already done 80 much for the good
fame o. America in China. 1t Is not
too much TO say that this assault on
Judge Wiley IN the interest Of the
vicious ana criminal classes, is a pub
lie scandal.
81 cordially approve your conclusions. ]
sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Roots Comment.
After taking up one by one the seven |
charges prepared against Judge VIII !
fey. and dismissing each as baselsss. !
Secretary Root makes the following 1
comment on the case:
There is a broader view to be taken !
Of this petition as a whole. and or the /
OF the United States Court |
for China, from which tho petitioner |
has picked out certain details for criti- |
ciSm.
There was a reason for the creation !
or the court, and an urgent reason, in 4
the existence or conditions in Shanghai 1
and, 70 loss degree, IN other treaty /
ports OF China, discreditable 70 the /
United States, and humiliating TO Amer /
lea self-respeCt- The foreign settlement I
OF Shanghai is itself a considerable city. |
With many thousands Of inhabitants /
nom all the western nations. In IL |
there is no single tribunal which has /
TO- the administra ton OF
Justice over all its Inhabitants. The
cluzens OF each nation are subject Ia
the jurisdiction only Of ne judicial Of
lcers OF their own natica. and are ex-
empt from Interference from the judicial
officers OF any other nation.
Vice Seeks Shelter.
"As result OF this peculiar arrange
nent the vice which seems TO thrive
n the atmosphere Of the Orient has
ong tended TO seek shelter under the
Tag OF the country whose administra-
Son IS the most lax and ineffective
American administration IA Shanghai
lad long been VIGOROUSLY lax and Incl
ective. and the offenders Of SHANGHAI
generally flourish under tho claim OF
American citizenship and the protection
4 American indifference. To such an
.Xtent had this gone that disreputabla
generally in Shanghai, ana. 10
considerable extent Ia the other cities. !
whether American or not, were g,aTad II
girls, and the two expressions
we're practically synouEruOys Ono of
he principal causes urging to the for
nation OF the new court was the neces-
ity OF doing away with this iisgraceful
Ondttion Of AFFAIRS. /
The evidence is overwhelming Tat
udge Wiley has accomplished this
YORK effectively ana thorougbiI- and
.as cleared tho American name from
ne disgrace that rested upon A. HI
vas not an easy task, and il could |
-ot be done except by the stern and ,
ctive administration of Justice sUcS |
n administration necessarily creates |
esentment and enmity. The LAWYERS
ghosG most liberal clients have been
ne gamblers and disreputable women
shanghai. never complained OF the
Id order OF things, but tbexr are po1, !
uH OF bitterness against the fudge J
mo has driven their clients out OF Z