The following is an almost literal trai lation, made for the " North-China Daily Nows," of the leading article in the Hankow ' Chupao," of the Sth of October last, which led to the arrest of the Editor and the "temporary suspension of the paper When the five High Commissioners were leaving some desperado exploded a bomb on them resulting in the wounding of Duke Tsai Tséh and Shao Ying, Junior Secretary (of the Shangpu). This has been repeatedly reported in these columns by telegram as well as by letter. In spite of this no-one knows the details of the affair and conjectures thereanent are numerous and contradictory." Some swear oaths against the lawlessness of desperadoes while others again lay blame on the wickedness of foreigners. Some again declare it was the work of the followers of Kang Yi-wei, and others give the credit to Sun Wen (Dr. Sun Yat-sen). Although nothing definite has been arrived at, in my humble opinion it is the work of some desperado who loves the land of his ancestors, knows well the critical nature of the time,—in fact -a sagacious and a daring man. The writer is not unaware of the fact that there is no advantage in desperate actions like these, or that the desperado in question has been guilty of outrageous conduct. The writer desires to get at the true facts of the case and tell the result to those in authority.so that they may be on guard. For this reason he does not attempt to avoid unfavourable comment or suspicion, and would therefore say something on the subject.
Now why do I call the desperado in question one who loves the land of his ancestors; who knows well the critical natare of the times—that in fact, he is a sagacious and a daring man?' Representation in Parliament is verily an excellent and a good thing. Even in our dreams those like me cannot forget it. We stretch our necks standing eagerly forward longing for it to come. Nevertheless, that such a thing is one difficult to attain is also matter for sorrow and anxiety for those like me, even in our dreams, The idea of the five High Commissioners' journey abroad to study foreign government is certainly an excellent one and its object is also certainly good. But these five High Commissioners do not speak any foreign language; they do not understand even the elements of foreign government. Yet that they should be expected to grasp all the salient and important points of the governmental machinery of the various countries they visit within a few mo ths' time certainly an impossible task and needs no explanation. Moreover these five men, since they have been appointed to do the work, must naturally be men upon whom the throne deeply confides. Since they possess the deep confidence of the Throne, it follows that on their return they will naturally be given power in the Government, and the task of establishing a Parliament. That these men should, with the experlence and knowledge gained with be given the task of chang-ye been going on several ind so change the foundations of an Empire that has existed for tens of thousands of years, would be ridiculous and matter of shameful failure. There would be no benefit for owr ancestral country while the mission of the five Commissioners will be useless. They may gain promotion and enrich themselves and what of honour will there be for any one? This expedition will only cast a damper on the spirit of reform of the literati and common people. It will only disgrace us in the eyes of neighbouring countries. It would be better therefore that the Commissioners be destroyed ore they start on their journey and thus obviate the necessity of repentance on a future day. Thisis what the desperado in question thought and although he has made himself an object of hatred, there is room for lenietioy as regards his aims. Moreover that, this desperado should have been able in a spot strictly* guarded by police and a crowded place like a railway station to have escaped so cleanly from the hands although in' making his at the' time he himself. was inéertaim whether he would-escape with his life—all these showed thit he was a man of wisdom and sagacity and with enrage daring to do. His wisdom and sagacity cannot be said to be below Chang 'Tse-fang [i.e Chang' Liang, the Chief adviser of Liu Pang, the founder of the Great Han dynasty, nearly 2,000 years ago, and credited by tradition with ing the wisest and most sagacious man in the history of this country. Chang Liang is also the Ancestor of the Taoist Popes whose habitat is in Lunghushan (Dragon and Tiger Hill) in Kiangsi province, Translator], while daring courage is high above that of Ching Ko and Nich Cheng, [two historical assassins who existed: some 2,200. years ago—Translator}-""Phat our country should possess a man like the subject of this article and yet not. know enough to employ such and thus force him to. be an assassin—to quote the words of the Empress Wu [the celebrated Empress Wu Tseh-tien of the Mang dynasty—Translator)' "Alas! It is my foul With man possessed' of such qualities at hand and not to have the ability to use him (for the good of the country), but to force him to emulate the example of the Nihilists and then to turn around and ridicule and decry him—this again is the fault of the people of the country. Alas! When I write to this point my tears begin to spring forth; I can only hope that the five High Commissioners will not have their spirits damped by the occurrence (the bomb outrage), but will take it as a warning and an exhortation (to better deeds). "Let them take as many translators and interpreters as possible with them. Let them remain for months and years so as to gain detailed information and knowledge as to their quest. Let them not act in accordance with their own pleasure and private desires: but work for the prosperity of the massies, for the everlasting foundations of the Empire. Moreover, it is to be hoped that: they will not recklessly assume pomp and' outward show and so gain the dislike of the people then indeed they (the High Commis sioners) will be of use to their country.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.