Evening star., 1927-05-15
SENSATIONAL LEGAL
TRIALS ARE FLAYED
IN CONVENTION TALK

Continued from First Page)
this concept of criminal administra-
ton we cannot hope that reform and
Improvement SO urgently required will
be brought about"
MFR. Roberts observation, delivered
with much feeling and outside OF
prepared speech. created a profound
impression upon the distinguished
company of chief justices. Federal
judges, State law officers and practic-
ing lawyers from all parts of the
country assembled at the Law Insti-
tute dinner. His speech was the out.
standing utterance of the night.
The United States and other .Occl-
dental nations would be warranted in
relinauishing their respective rights
TO extraterritoriality in China only
when that nation, now torn with
internecine strife, has accomplished
a reasonably staple. modern and
uniform system of justice and ad-
ministration of law, 1t was asserted
by Silas H. Strawn, noted lawyer,
before the banquet gathering.
Cites Report on China.
Citing the recommendation to this
effect included in the report OF the
Information conference on China. on
which he served as the American
representative, Mr.. Strawn said the
commission found it to be well within
the range of moderation to state that
in China at the present time there
is no effective security against ar
bitrarv action by the military authorl-
ties with respect to life. liberty or
property in SO far as such security
can be afforded by an effective func-
fioning of the Chinese civil and judi
ciai authorities
Mr.. Strawn pointed out that this
commission, which formally com
pleted it's findings last September.
recommended that extraterritoriallty
right in China he abandoned only
after the following specifications be
''rea sonably" complied with:
THAT the Administered ton of justice
with respect 10 the civilian popula.
ton in China must be entrusted to
judiciary effectively protected against
unwarranted interference by other
branches of the government; that
there should be Improvement in the
existing legal. judicial and prison
systems; the establishment and main
1enance Of a uniform system for
enactment, promulgation and resets
ton houses, and adequate financial
provision for the maintenance of the
courts, detention houses and prisons
ana their personnel and other
charges
Defines Privileges.
Mr.. StraWn opened his address with
definition OF the system of extra
territorial privileges and a compre-
hensivc outline of its development,
which he traced back as early as the
sixth century. This practice, he
pointed out. eXempts the foreigner in
China-at least those from certain
nations, including the United States
from the laws and systems Of justice
in China and permits the extension OF
the jurisdiction Of other nations over
the territory Of the Far Eastern coun-
try TO govern their subjects there.
In citing reasons in support of the
exercise Of such territoriality in China,
Mr.. Strawn pointed out that there is
no code of laws recognized as author
itv throughout that colossal nation
end few modern courts; that lmprls
oument and torture of witnesses and
cruel punshments are inflicted by the
chinese: that imprisonment Of per
sons for debt is practiced: that there
is lack OF ueHhite JndlCldl ptocedule
and that there is a lack of govern
mental authority TO maintain law and
enforce order.
Hear Oxford Professor.
The members also were addressed
by Prof. W. :. Holdsworth, Vineriaf
professor Of English law at Oxford
University. who gave comprehensive
outline of the developments of the
study of legal practice. Asserting that
modern universities must retain the
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