论日本法学家梅谦次郎1906年的访华及其影响

Japanese Jurist Ume Kenjiro's 1906 Visit to China and Its Influence

梅谦次郎是日本民法的奠基人,是明治日本成功修改不平等条约的功臣,也为中国留学生的法政教育做出很大贡献。他在1906年清政府宣布预备立宪之际访华,时间长达2个月,足迹遍及各地,会见京师王公大臣及地方督抚,围绕法典编纂、废除领事裁判权及预备立宪等重大问题进行了深入交流。他对晚清中国的观察及忠告不乏值得深入研究之处。

Ume Kenjiro is the founding father of the Japanese civil code. He was one of the chief contributors to Meiji Japan＇ s successful effort to change its unequal treaties with the Western Powers, and helped to promote legal-political education for Chinese overseas students in Japan. He visited China in 1906 when the Qing government declared its intent to start preparations for constitutionalism. During the two months of his visit he travelled across China to meet and discuss with some of the most powerful Chinese politicians, effectively sharing his expertise in such issues as enactment of codes, cancellation of consular jurisdiction as well as preparations for constitutionalism. At the same time, he made some sharp observations on contemporary China with sincere suggestions, which are still worth our attention and careful study.