Because some women will sell their bodies and inhuman parents will sell their daughters for immoral purposes does not justify the State in becoming a partner to the transaction and making from 30 to 35 yen per year on each girl as at present. Neither can the writer understand how the general public is benefited by laws which compel helpless girls to abide by the terms of contracts made by others going so far as to fine and imprison those who attempt to escape from the brothels.
A case like the one cited, and there are thousands of such in Japan to-day, could not occur in either Gumma or Wakayama Ken, neither could anything very near it occur.
Trying to elevate the moral tone of society while leaving this question as it is means a great loss of effort, as every one who has much experience in reform work must know.
The State must withdraw its support and sanction and take the only logical and safe position a State can take, that of absolute prohibition of everything essentially evil, then we can have a much better chance at elevating the moral tone of society.
As to the evil stalking about the streets in many European and American cities, etc., the editor draws on his imagination or that of some one else’s if he means to convey the idea that such is carried on to any great extent. Hoping that the time is near at hand when the welfare of helpless, innocent girls will receive consideration as well as the safety and convenience of lustful men,
I am, yours for
Reform.
March 10th, 1809.
Japan Times Editorial, 14th March, 1899.