Japan formally has adopted the system of trial by jury, which will 0 into effect in October this year. The judicial authorities already have started a nation-wide propaganda with regard to the jury system, chiefly through lectures and pictures, the pictures having been taken' at a sham trial sponsored by officials. The adoption of this form of trial will not, quite complete, since only certain criminal ease may be 20 tried, the defendant having the option, whic! he or she must exercise within ton days of receiving the summons, of trial by jury or before three judge: fs is the ease at present, Criminal eases which may be tried under the new aystem are offences punishable by death or by penal servitude for a period of over three veal Offences against the State or society, such as acts against the Imperial Family or contravention of military regulations, do not come within the category of crimes triable under the jury system.
The judicial authorities have announced that-the reason the jury system was adopted was to enhance public confidence in the courts of Taw, especially amongst the lower classes. None the less, a large namber of Japanese judges and Inwyers express doubt a8 to whether its adoption in a country like Japan is a forward or a retrograde step, especially 0 since the system i under fire in Oncidental lands today. A more serious doubt as to whether it will be a success lies in the national temperament of the Japanese people, who easily are dyed by sentimental influences. It is for this reason that special panels of juryman are to be trained for the task they are required to discharge. other relics appertaining to Towns-hend Harris's stay in Japan, including a faded. picture of Commodore Perry, whose famous "black ships" formed such a potent argu inducing Japan to end liber policy of isolation.
In the Spring Jade Palace temple also there is a picture of Harris, and a portrait of the late Mr, Edgar Allen Bancroft, the American Ambassador to Japan who country, and a gold $20. he presented to the temple, To Teach Economy With the object of further infusing economic principles into the people, a society has just beer inaugurated for' the purpose of encouraging brides to" marry. in cotton kimonos, instead of silk garments, It is said that the average "Japanese bride spends more than' Y.100 on a auk wedding dress, which, once the ceremony 18 over, rarely' is worn again, Te is suggested. that cotton kimonos. be substituted, these garments eostinet only YAS each, and that tha married couple utilise the resultant savings for furnishing their homes. The Tokyo prefectural authorities have offered 'a ¥.15 economy prize to every bride who foregoes. sil. kimonos for cotton ones, and social organizations are furthering' the movement.
Other proposed reforms, especially in the rural districts, are the reduction of the size of kitchens by eliminating chicken-roosts and bath. tubs therefrom, and abolishing the construction of kitchens with stables Ketehen refuse through holes made adjoining, the cattle feeding on
in the wall sopayating stable and kitchen,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.