To the Editor of the "Nonrru-Cuina Dairy News."
Sin,—From_ a perusal of the cables from Europe, and the news from various parts of China it appears that efforts for the abolition of extraterritoriality are in no wise abating, but whether they will result in progress of the movement, or lead to its "advancing backwards" (to use an Irishism), it is not easy to predict. There are so many wheels within wheels in Chinese politics, and one has been so often surprised at the Chinese getting their own way in matters in which it was thought that they could not possibly be successful, that it is almost impossible any longer to be surprised at anything.
Tt is generally the unexpected that happens, but will it be possible for' men of integrity. intelligence and judgment to recommend that proper protection should be withdrawn from foreigners, and that we should be left to the tender mercies of a people io whom torture is a pastime and bribery of judges is rife even in dealing with their own people. In a misleading telegram from the Asiatic News Agency, it is stated that "three Japanese jurists and lawyers of international fame" have been in Taiyuanfu inspecting all courts, prisons, police-stations, educational institutions and_industrial works, and that they "expressed full satisfaction with the judicial and educational system of Shansi, and are of opinion that it will not be difficult for China to obtain her object of doing away with the objectionable foreign Consular: jurisdiction."
These gentlemen, who seem to make a hobby of investigation, secing that they "are not envoys of the Government," are also alleged to have visited some Yangtze provinces, and further, stated that "as Japan suffered similar foreign humiliation previously, it is the sincere desire the Japanese people to render material assistance to their nearest neighbours, in getting rid of extra-territoriality."
It is noticeable, by the way, that the names of these "jurists and lawyers of international fame" are not mentioned! If indeed they exist, they are champion "Jeg-pullers," but their expression of sympathy with the Chinese ea account of foreign humiliation" is considerably discounted by the fact that the Japanese are exceptionally well represented in "objectionable consulates," and are taking no immediate steps to remove the horrible "humiliation."
Such paragraphs are excellent provender for the gobo-mouches who comprise the majority of the readers of the "yellow press," but really one wearies of the reitera-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.