North-China Daily News,"
Peking, Feb. 24.
(1) With reference to a memorial of the Ministry of Justice, reporting that most of the provinces have not actually carried out the order for the prohibition of corporal punishment in the trial of casco, and requesting the issue of a severe decree of censure, commanding them to obey and regard this ord Bince the promulgation of " Decree during the former reign for the probibition of corporal punishment in the trial of oases, this order has been reiterated on' many occasions. Now, that Courts of Justice of all grades for the Treaty ports and la the capitals ofall the provinces have been daly appointed, it is necessary to repeat Our injunctions, In fatare in all places irrespective of whether the ssid Coarts have been established or not, the Viceroys and Governors concerned shall impress apon the Commissioners of Justice their responsibility in the exercise of their dation to superintend and seo vigilaatly that on offenders who are panisbable by a lighter sentence than that of banisbment or deportation, 0 corporal banishment shall be again inflicted during their trial by the Judges. With regard to criminals who are liable to a death sentence, and in oases where the application of corporal punishment is deemed necessary the Penal Codes at present in fore mast be strictly ud absolutely adhered to in ordering such an infliction. All the former cruel tortures and unauthorized devices of punishment shall be, for ever, abrogated. If still obedient in appearance while refractory in secret, aa toon as their laches are discovered. the judges, or officials sitting as lodges, concerned shall be proportionately denounced to Us for punishment.
Let the Yamens administering justice, within or without Pekiog, reverentially copy the Imperial Decree of the 21st day of the 3rd moon of the 3ist year of Kuang Hea, (April 25, 1905,) and respectfully hang it up in every "Court of Justice, in order to show bow compassionate and considerate We are for the troubles of Our subjects; love and kindness being the ideal of the Throne.
(2) Referring to a memorial of the' Ministry of Justice =n its tru of an im-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.