Urgent Telegram of Inquiry Sent to Kwangtung Nanking, Apr. 21 'The public here has been' shocked bby the press reports that the Kwangtung military authorities, in order safeguard public health, have decided to put to death 140 lepers who have been adjudged incurable.
A telegraphic inquiry has been despatched by Mr. Yeh Hsia-shens, member of the Legislative Yuan, to General Vu Han-mou, Pacification Commissioner for Kwangtung, General Wu Te-chen, new Chairman of the Kwanglung Provincial Government, and Mr. Tseng Yang-fu, Mayor of Canton.
The telegram states: "According to press reports, the Kwangtung Provineial authorities have decided to China and Belgium to Raise Legations Nanking, Apr. 21.
Both China and Belgium have decided to elevate their respective legations to the status of Embasies shortly.
"In view of the close, friendly and intimate economic' relations between China and Belgium, declares a Foreign Office announcement to-day, "the two governments have completed pre~ parations {0 elevate their respec tive legations to the status of embassies, which step will be taken simultaneously."
Mr. Chien Tai, "Minister to Spain, is understood to be slated a8 first Chinese Ambassador in put to death by shooting a large umber of lepers. The news has been received with great horror, According to law, no act not expressly stipulated in law can be considered as crime. "What crime have the lepers committed? Punishment for illness is unheard of in history. It your own father or mother should contract the disease, what would you do? "It is hoped' that examine carefully the methods adopted by civilized countries in dealing with "lepers, so that you may not relapse into savagery and the innocent saved from murder. Is there really any truth in the reports? A Drompt telegraphic reply is awaited."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.