dom from infectious disease must be "satisfactory to both parties interested." The original proposal that such official proof should be "satisfactory to the interested party" was in committee objected to by certain delegates on the ground that this phrase might endanger the commerce of the weaker country by subjecting it to the discretion of the officials in another who might use their power in a hostile manner. The form ultimately adopted seemed to be free from the objection raised in the opinion of all the delegations, with the exception of that of Venezuela which entered its reservations upon this point.

The other resolutions adopted by the Conference deal either with matters of condolence or commemoration or take up commercial and intellectual interests, such as the construction of the Pan-American Railway, the establishment of more efficient steamship service between the American republics, the summoning of the Coffee Congress, the celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal, the interchange of university professors and students, and the appreciation of the Pan-American Scientific Congress. All these matters are full of interest and form an important part in the development of closer relations between the republics of America, but as they do not involve any specific points in international law or practice, we shall simply mention them here without dealing with them in detail. It may, however, be noted that the resolution concerning steamship communication contains the very interesting suggestion that an inquiry be instituted concerning the means by which there may be established between the American republics a reciprocal liberty with respect to the coasting trade. The resolutions referred to in this paragraph indicate the growing strength of the feeling of solidarity among the American nations, which was given an eloquent expression in the speeches delivered at the opening and at the closing of the Conference, as well as in the sessions when the centenaries of independence of different republics were commemorated.

Concerning the methods of work of the Conference it may be said that though the period during which it met was short and much of the time was occupied by various festivities and other social engagements, the delegates in the various committees devoted themselves

to their tasks with great interest and devotion.

There was a com

plete feeling of mutual confidence, and all the questions before the committees were discussed with great frankness and in the fullest detail. Every point of view was ably presented, and differences of opinion were insisted upon with energy. It is therefore the more gratifying to record that, with all such divergencies, and after all national points of view had been discussed without reserve, it was possible to arrive at a practically unanimous agreement upon every subject of the program. Nor were these agreements the result of superior insistence on the one part or the ready acceptance of alien points of view on the other, but they naturally grew and evolved out. of the discussion so that as it proceeded certain definite conclusions came more and more clearly, and always naturally out, of the chaos of uncertainty into the steady light of rational conviction.

The Fourth International Conference will be remembered for the practical spirit in which it undertook and completed its work. To those who took part in it, it will always be memorable and grateful on account of the feeling of mutual confidence and understanding of the companionable intercourse and of the true friendship which reigned among all the members. Through these personal relationships, the nations themselves are strongly drawn together, misunderstandings are avoided, and a sane and rational international policy is strengthened.

THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE CHINESE EMPIRE

The recent Imperial rescript of the Chinese Government abolishing slavery within the empire is a document of unusual interest,1 and adds one more to the many evidences that have been given lately of great changes going on among this ancient people. The farreaching effects of this reform can hardly be estimated at present, but the proclamation of emancipation which is to be posted far and wide throughout the empire will be a charter of liberty to myriads of the down-trodden and oppressed, and will mark for them the upward turning of the way toward freedom and enlightenment.

The rescript, which was issued on January 31, 1910, and published on February 19 last, was called out by a memorial of the late Chou Fu, Viceroy at Nanking, submitted to the Throne by him so long ago as March 25, 1906.

The tender-hearted old Viceroy did not live to see the fulfillment of his hopes, for he has been dead some two years, but the cause which he espoused found the support of one Wu Wei-ping, a Censor, who, on February 6, 1909, presented another memorial praying that the blessings of liberty might be bestowed without further delay upon those who had won the compassion of Chou Fu.

No Chinese memorial neglects an opportunity to hark back to antiquity and find in the virtuous practices of the ancients a precedent for that which is recommended. Therefore the aged Viceroy began his argument in favor of the abolition of slavery by declaring

that

in the prosperous times of the Three Ancient Dynasties (B. C. 2205 to B. C. 255) the buying and selling of human beings was unknown, though criminals were punished by being reduced to slavery. It was during the decline of the house of Chou that the first talk of selling men and women was heard, and during the succeeding dynasties of Ch'in and Han (B. C. 255 to A. D. 264) the practice became established.

1 Printed in SUPPLEMENT, p. 359.

He referred to the many edicts already issued by the present Manchu Dynasty in favor of the enslaved, some of which are quite noteworthy, and pointed to the abolition of slavery by European and American nations as an example to be imitated. Great Britain," he said, "spent some tens of millions (of taels) in freeing the slaves in that empire, and although the United States issued a proclamation emancipating the slaves in America, it was only after years of civil war that liberty was at last secured for them."

He reminded the Throne that foreign nations look upon those that tolerate slavery as barbarous peoples. Western nations, he said join in hunting men that buy and sell human beings and punish them, thereby exhibiting a love of humanity and bringing the whole earth to recognize as a binding international law the obligation to protect men in the enjoyment of liberty.

He pointed out, too, that slavery was inconsistent with the programme of reform now being carried on by the Government, and he prayed, therefore, for the prohibition of the traffic in human beings and the emancipation of those already held in slavery.

The recommendations of Chou Fu and those of the Censor Wu Wei-ping were referred to the joint consideration of the Commission on Constitutional Government and of that having charge of the revision of the Code, and the report of this joint commission has been approved by an Imperial rescript and has now become the law of the empire.

To understand the report upon which the rescript is based it is necessary to know that in the old Code now undergoing revision the status of every subject of the Emperor is carefully defined, and that all attempts of those belonging to the lower orders to improve their condition are, in theory at least, most emphatically discouraged. I say "in theory," because in reality the law has long been a dead letter, and thousands have raised themselves from menial positions to more honorable status.

Briefly, the inhabitants of the empire are divided into four great classes: banner-men, free Chinese subjects, out-castes, and slaves. To these may be added those belonging to the wild tribes of indigenes inhabiting the mountains of the south and west, who are governed through their chiefs, and who need not be considered here.

The law provides for the careful classification and enrollment of the population, and severe penalties are prescribed for those who by false enrollment endeavor to lighten the services required of them.

The banner-men include the families of those Manchus, Mongols, and Chinese who effected the conquest that placed the present Manchu Dynasty upon the Throne in 1644 A. D. These families are divided into twenty-four corps, or banners, there being eight of each of the three nationalities.

These banner-men enjoy special privileges. They are all pensioners, men, women, and children. The males are required to bear arms and forbidden to engage in trade. Until 1901 they were forbidden to intermarry with Chinese other than banner-men, and until 1905 were subject to the jurisdiction only of Manchu magistrates and Manchu law. Many efforts have been made since the "Boxer" troubles to remove all distinctions between banner-men and ordinary Chinese subjects. The marriage restrictions have been abolished and both races placed under one code, but thus far the opposition to the abolition of pensions has been too strong to be

overcome.

The free Chinese make up the great mass of the inhabitants; the farmers, artisans, and merchants, as well as the majority of the gentry and officials. The highest stations under the Throne are open to them, and many commoners, like the late Li Hung-chang, have advanced themselves by their services and abilities to high rank in the nobility and to great influence in the state.

But there are some classes of Chinese subjects whose degradation or menial occupations have made them out-castes and subjected them to certain disabilities. Among these are the actors, beggars, lictors, prostitutes, and those engaged in personal service, such as the barbers and chair-bearers. Efforts have been made by imperial edict at various times to improve the condition of some of these classes, particularly the actors, beggars, lictors, and prostitutes, by encouraging them to abandon evil callings and to engage in more honorable pursuits. Another group of out-castes are known as the to min, a degraded class in the Province of Chekiang, whose origin is hidden. in obscurity. They are generally believed to be descendants of men