SomE years ago there was a great public scandal in Japan in conn tion with some armament, contracts. The facts were widely published. There followed a very searching inquiry -into the matter and the culprits were severely punished. Some of the Chinese newspapers took the opportunity of lecturing the, neighbouring Power on the dishonesty of its citizens and incidentally patted themselves, on the back that such things not likely to take place in Had they stated that: such things were regularly' taking place in China, but were not likely to be heard of outside that country, they would have been nearer the tr Though the national merah of most countries may be said to be higher to-day than ever it was, nevertheless we are not} yet perfect, and there are still to be found those who are quite ready to line their pockets at! the expense of the taxpayers of their native land. The great! point, however, is that when breaches of law and do occur there should be a strict and impartial inquiry, into matter. But that is!
Jenough that scandals of these sort should occur, but it is that thi ey should be [passed over without searching inquiry nation which demands this may have brought before its notice many unsavoury, facts, and it may feel ashamed, that it harbours such criminals lor incompetents.
Other peoples may raise their hands in holy' horror and with a Pharasaical]. thankfulness that they are not jas this sinful nation, but in the! long run they will come to respect a cou ntry that Jdetermined at all costs to have!
clean administration.
China has many friends among the foreigners who live within her borders or who formerly resided there.
They are not the! people who turn a blind eye to China's faults and failings; nor} do they indulge in fulsome flattery, but they would like! above all things for the Government and the people frankly ito recognize the real position of ithe country.
Unfortunately that, is the very last thing that officialdom in China wishes to It is mainly concerned with window dressing, so that globe-trotters and commissions from abroad may be impressed by the apparent progress the country has made in all 1 those things that rank high in the estimation of Yet the Jappointment of a committee by the Government, if it were given full powers to probe deeply into some the many disabilities under: which the country laban: would Jat once bring about a measure] jof real respect for as has seldom been manifested for generations.
If the findings lof this body were given a wide publicity the world would at! last. be convinced that China iwas about to make a real attempt to set her hot use order. Of course the evidence brought before such a commission would be rath startling and many of ithe so-called leaders would find their reputation even blacker' than it is to-day But the air would be clearer, and an opportunity would be given for the country.
to make a fresh start Jon the path to reform. There would then be a far better chance for securing the abolition of extraterritorii than by giving well taged trials before! jan international commission, 9r by reforming the legal pro apes But will China ever resort to] such a course?
Judging by the present state of affairs one is rather doubtful.
There exists that terrible fear lof "loss of face" which for centuries has hindered the real progress of the country.
'The idea' that it is better to cover up the national failings rather than ex-facts that would be brought to light China would earn the respect and gratitude of the world, and she would in time be granted that position in the councils of] the nations for which she has }so long hankered, but which sh will never attain whilst she tries whitewash her offences, against humanity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.