Apr. 2.7 Tue following article was sent us on the 3ist ult, when we were writing in advocacy of two Chinese members on the Council. Its author is one who knows the Chinese well, who sympathizes with their aspirations and certainly does not underrate the new currents now moving amongst them. What he says will, we fear, be disagreeable to our Chinese readers. But, out receding from. the posi jon we took yesterday, we publish partly on the accepted ground of giving "the other side" in a matter of great controversy, partly because we think it only right that the Chinese should understand clearly on what the main force of opposition to their desire for representation on the Council will rest, About thirty years ago a series of articles appeared in the North China Daily News'' on the characteristic of the Chinese. As sincerity is regarded by them as one of their ''Five Constant Virtues,"' there was one article nlitled '"The Absence of Sincer-
"in the course of which the thor remarked that "an interesting volume remains to be written by someone who has the requisite knowledge, on the theory and practice of Chinese squeezes, a practice which extends from the emperor on his throne to the lowest beggar in the empire. With that practical sagacity for which they are so deservedly noted, the Chinese have reduced this business to a perfect system which can no more be escaped than' one can escape the pressure of the atmosphere. Vicious and demoralizing as the system is, it is not easy to see how it can be done away with, except by a complete reorganization of the empire."
Since the words were written a generation has passed away, there has been a complete reorganization of the government of the country, but the system of squeeze ing remains unchanged.
Why is it that the Chinese seem incapable of riding the body politic of this corroding evil? Its root appears to lie in the belief or conviction of the Chinese that, despite all the virtuous maxims of their sages, squeezing is not morally wrong in the practical affairs of every-day life. What is squeeze ing? Is it stealing, peculation, or embezzlement? The Chinese do not so regard it. Is it unearned income or increment? No; for to squeeze skilfully and judiciously, so that the victim will not be goaded to desperation, often requires diligent and careful planning and the squeezer thinks himself fully entitled to all his gains. h-1 (Ve have not seen a definition of the word that would be quite acceptable to the Chinese. For our own part, we define it as a form of taxation without representation, which the taxer or squeezer imposes to satisfy his own conception of the requirements of his position. It is sanctioned by ancient and unbroken custom, which in itself is almost sufficient to make it a virtue in the eyes of the Chinese, and it is in accordance with the ancient and reasonable injunction not to muzzle an ox when it treadeth out the corn. It is only when the ox eats all the corn and then turns and tramples on its owners that the Chinese are inclined to think the animal is going a little too far in the enforcement of its rights and privileges.
Herein is one of the great differences between Western lands and China. In the former there is still, no doubt, much politico! and municipal corruption; but there is, and always has been, a strong force of public opinion that con-dernns squeezing and" similar offences, and in the long run it is usually able to bring the offenders to justice.
The annual meeting of ratepayers will take place on the 7th and the important question of Chinese representation on the Municipal Council will be raised. There is a large number of ratepayers who recognize that the municipality-is a living, growing organism, which it would be a' mistake to hold down too closely to the provisions of the original grants and treaties and not being animated by racial prejudices they sympathize with all legitimate and expedient aspirations of the Chinese in the Settlement for self-government in municipal affairs. But what these ratepayers most desire in this connexion is that Shanghai shall be honestly and capably governed, and they are ready to oppose-anyone of any nationality on the Council or connected with it, who is incompetent or not above suspicion. Hence they do not regard the proposed change with favour. The previous record of a Chinese nominee may be unobjectionable and he may not have the power as a councillor to confer favours or even the inclination to receive gifts; but nearly all his countrymen in the Settlement will think he has this power and inclination and will act according-He will be a most remarkable man if he is able to withstand the tremendous pressure of the system so as to avoid even the appearance of evil. Whether he is strong or weak the whole morale of the municipal service will be weakened by the appointment. When the Chinese generally have learned that public office is a public trust and_can point to some well governed cities under their own officials, it will be time enough to make the change.
The volume on squeezing has not yet been written, probably be-" cause there is such a superabundance of material, and no one wishes to see a chapter in it on the decline and fall of the model Settlement. Eloquent speeches will doubtless be made at the meeting by the champions of the Chinese; but if the fears: and doubts here expressed are not squarely met and overcome, the eloquence will be wasted on the ratepayers we have mentioned and if they vote against the change, let it be clearly under~ stood that race has nothing to do with it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.