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THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 27, 1939
Soviet Preparing Ground For Aggression In Finland
MURDER CHARGE
GAMBLING DEBT SEQUEL
Tang Chiu was this morn- ing arraigned before the Chief Justice, Sir Atholl Mac- Gregor, at the Criminal Ses- sions for the murder of Leung
Ki, in Chinese Street, on
September 28.
Mr. J. B. Prentis, Assistant Crown Counsel, conducted the case for the prosecution, while Mr. Percy Chen, instructed by Mr. A. S. K. Lau, was for the defence.
PRESS ATTACKS FINNISH AND A "FRONTIER SHIP SEIZED
INCIDENT"
London, To-day.
IT IS EVIDENT FROM developments in the Baltic
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Helsinki, To-day.
A German warship has seized the Finnish vessel Brittanic, which was carrying a cargo of wood and paper to Gothenburg.
The seizure was made in the Southern
-Havas.
“SUSSEX” MINED
that fresh pressures are to be brought upon Fin-Baltic, near Swedish territorial waters. land by the Soviet in order to force the Finns into the territorial concessions demanded in Moscow. Most startling event was Germany's support of Rus- sia, in giving "friendly advice" to Finland to settle with Moscow.
According to a Stockholm report, it from Leningrad, several people were is thought in the Swedish capital killed or wounded on Soviet territory that the Soviet is likely to adopt during artillery practice on the Fin-
nish side of the frontier.-Reuter. MOLOTOV PROTEST
The following jurors were empanel-diplomatic measures this week aimed led:-Messrs. J. J. Cameron (fore- as securing a definite result of the man), H. Turner, H. L. Moors, T..A. questions at issue. Kuesher, S. M. Cruz, H. W. Pomeroy and Tien Tat-ming.
Mr. Prentis said the victim died as the result of injuries received from a chopper.
There was no doubt that accused committed the attack, but it was the duty of the prosecution to prove, without any possible doubt, that ac- cused was guilty of murder. One of two verdicts could be returned murder or manslaughter.
The dead man, who was only 21, lived at No. 8, Chinese Street, and was employed in the Naval yard until a month before his death.
was દી
Accused, 24, was unemployed, and of no fixed abode, but used to hang about Chinese Street. The street was narrow and not open to vehicular traffic, and had a gutter running through the middle of it.
TRIVIAL BEGINNINGS
the Leading to
murder trivial matter. A boy, Chan Kam- on, won 85 cents from accused at pai kau in September and was paid only 35 cents, leaving a balance cents which accused said he would pay later. The money was not ask- ed for some time, as the boy was warned by his father not to gamble any more.
of 50
On September 24, the boy met accused and asked for the money. Accused said he did not have it then but would pay later when he did. There was no quarrel or hard words. In the afternoon, the boy met de- ceased and had a conversation with him in the course of which the dead man asked for 20 cents to redeem his watch from pawn. Chan said that if he was able to collect from accused, he would let him have it. That evening, the three met in Chinese Street. Chan asked for
The spirit of Moscow is shown in commentary in the newspapers.
Under the heading: "A Buffon Is Holding the Prime Minister's Post," the leading journal, "Pravda" criti- cises Dr. Cajander, Finland's Premter, declaring that he belongs to the school of Moscicki and Beck.
It adds: "Let him find out how those Polish buffoons, who have lost their position for ever, feel now."
"Pravda" further declares: Finland is being drawn by provocateurs into a foul and dangerous game. It is hoped that the Finnish people will not allow puppets like Cajander to continue steering Finland along the fatal course of Becks and Moscickis.
Reuter.
GERMANY'S "ADVICE"
Helsinki, To-day. The German Government is re- ported to have forwarded advice to Finland urging her to reach a friend- ly settlement with Russia in view of the "possible serious consequences."
Reuter." ALLEGED
FRONTIER
INCIDENT
Moscow, To-day.
An official Soviet communique ac- with cuses Finland of having fired artillery seven shells at Red
Army troops on the Soviet-Finnish fron- tier, killing four and wounding nine.
Soviet Colonel Tikhomirov has been sent from Leningrad to investi- gate the matter on the spot.
The communique adds:-
"This act of provocation has caus- ed tremendous indignation among the Red Army troops stationed in the arca of the Finnish artillery attack." -Reuter. the money
and told by accused that he did not have it, suggested payment of 20 cents first. Accused said that he had no money. There was no quarrel and no hard words.
Next day between 10 and 11 p.m., Chan met accused leaving a gambling house. He had a dollar odd in his hand. Chan asked him to pay his debt but accused said he needed the money as the following day was. the Moon Cake Festival.
On September 28, Chan met de- ceased, who said he had borrowed the 20 cents from another friend and ask- ed Chan if he could let him have the money to repay.
HAVAS REPORT
Paris, To-day. According to unconfirmed reports reaching Havas' Zurich correspondent picked up a bread chopper. The small boy ran away. Deceased also ran up the street with accused chasing him, and he was struck several times.
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London, To-day. Moscow Radio announces that M. Molotov has protested to the Finnish Government regarding the frontier in- cident and has demanded the with- drawal of Finnish troops on the Kare- lian Isthmus to a point 12 miles from the frontier.
The protest, however, adds that the Soviet does not wish to exaggerate the importance of the incident.-Reuter.
NO KNOWLEDGE
Stockholm, To-day. According to a telegram from Hel- sinki, the Finnish military authorities state that they have no knowledge of the incident.-Reuter,
RUSSIAN RAGE
London, To-day. Slightly damaged forward, the P. and O. s.s. Sussex, of 11,000 tons, has arrived at a British port escorted by tugs. She struck German mine.-Reuter.
TAILS UP
a
A novel idea for the safety of dogs in the black-out was seen at Seaburn, Sunderland, when a young woman walked her black retriever,, whose tail was ablaze with a luminous light.
Inquiries revealed that the dog's tail was encased in a rubber sheath, which had been given a coat of lumi- nous paint. It certainly was effecTM tive!
Mr. Wheeler, of the Gospel Mission, Un Long, has reported a robbery of $219 from his residence at about 3 a.m. yesterday.
is reflected in the abusive articles now appearing in all the Soviet newspapers.
"Pravda," the official Communist organ, declares that Finland is being supported in her attitude by a Third Power. The paper makes an abusive attack on the Finnish Premier, call- foon, a jackanapes and the ing him, among other things, a buf- "leader stand for her independence of a political circus-Reuter.
Moscow, To-day. Russian rage at Finland's
NEUTRALS DECLINE TO BE BULLIED INTO SURRENDER
London, To-day.
THE NEW TURN given to Germany's war on shipping in last week is the subject of much public discussion. It recognised that a surprise factor can always be intro- duced by an enemy which does not scruple to violate international law, and, as to be expected, the surprise factor has brought immediate gains to Germany. Indiscriminate sowing of mines in the North Sea has re- sulted in the sinking of several ships, many belonging to neutral countries.
The reflection is frequently heard,, in wartime of her export trade--and however, that as the experience of that part upon which she chiefly de- the past has shown the advantage is pended for free exchange. likely to be merely transitory. That, At the hospital, it was found that it is pointed out, was so in the case he was cut on the neck, on the cheek of Germany's "sink at sight" policy and left arm. He was in a weaken- in the last war which not only fail ed condition owing to loss of blooded in the end, but recoiled with dead- and an operation could not be per-ly force upon herself. formed.
Accused was arrested with two others in Wanchai two days later. On the way to the station, accused said the two others had nothing to do with the wounding..
THE ATTACK Shortly after 7 p.m., Leung Ki, de- ceased, settled down at the entrance of the street to play chess. · ·Accusod
DYING DEPOSITION arrived and he, too, seated himself to
Leung Ki died on October 2 and a play. The small boy came later. dying deposition was taken. The state- Everything was quiet and peaceful.ment would be produced, but they Chan asked accused for his 50 cents were many discrepencies, Deceased and obtained the usual reply. De-
was running a high temperature and ceased then sald: "Why don't you was at times delirious. In the state pay the small boy."? Leung Ki ac-
ment, the scene of the assault was cused him of imposing on the small mentioned as Lee Yuen Street, but boy and said that if he did not pay up there were four eye-witnesses to the he might be driven from Chinese incident. Street. - Accused stepped - back-and-
The case is proceeding.
Although, by using aeroplanes as minecarriers, Germany can
Sow mines in waters which
are closed to her warships, thus far she has not succeeded in compelling the clos- ing of any French or British port. It is not doubted that methods to
NORTH SEA "FAIRWAY” deal with the menace of the so-called
Western In any case, all British magnetic mine have been considered ports are totally unaffected. Con- by naval experts in anticipation ofsiderable interest has also been arous.... their use and there is, in fact, reasoned by announcement that the Danish to believe that these methods are Board of Trade has proclaimed the being urgently developed.
existence of a "Fairway" to the Bri- tish coast.
SHORT LIFE Apart from what may well prove This is taken as a significant indica- the short life of the technical ad- tion of what was to be expected" vantage Germany appears to
have that neither Denmark nor other nèu- secured, she has now to reckon with trals will be prepared to submit to the effects of the reprisal she has German intimidation of neutrum mip brought down upon herself in
the German Intimidation of form of the Allied decision to seize to maintain h her exports in neutral vessels,
This confronts her wit
a considerabl