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SETTLEMENT EXTENSION AT
:
SHANGHAI.
·
[March 25, 1899.
as well as the other things, and he th nght they would be of opinion that he did. They would hear that second prisoner entered Mrs. Stevens's employ on the 16th February and left on the 19th. When she came to look at him Mrs. Stevens had reason to suppose that he had been in her employ on a former occasion and she was satisfied that he was not a desir. able man to have about the house, and so she discharged him. On the 23rd Feb. first prisoner left the house, and subsequently several pieces of jewellery and a silk handkerchief were found missing. Most of the articles were found in possession of prisoners the following day in a house in Centre Street.
A MEMBER OF THE HONGKONG REGIMENT
CHARGED WITH INDECENT ASSAULT. Kham Zamen, a member of the Hongkong Regiment, was charged with indecent assault.
He pleaded not guilty.
The following composed the Jury :-Messrs. P. 1. Spiedel, Carlos Augusto Montalto de Jesus, W. G. A. Klose, A. V. Apcar, J. A.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND cession, their position and their needs It is unnecessary to detail the reasons which render the enlargement of the former abso lutely necessary. The place is so congested that for years foreigners have been com- pelled to live considerable distauces beyond the boundary of the Settlements, devoid of Municipal protection and control. But the French and Russian Consuls have attempted to institute such comparison. We see by the Shanghai Mercury that the young gen- tleman who, in the absence of the Con- sul-General, has charge of Russian affairs at that port, has lodged a strong protest Evidence having been given the jury found against the extension of the Foreign Set-prisoners guilty. First prisoner was sentenced tlements. We do not presume for one mo- to fifteen months' imprisonment and second ment that the three Consuls-General, whose prisoner to nine months. nationals represent almost the whole of the foreign commerce with China, will heed the protest seriously, especially when this gentleman remarks quixotically that he cannot assent to such ́extensions until the claims of the French for their Concession are satisfied. The French and Russian Ministers at Peking are also reported to have lodged similar protests with the Chi- nese Government. In the N. C. Daily News the Russian Consul at Shanghai is stated as having since denied his reported protest, which denial has been forwarded to the Chinese Authorities. But we learn froin our correspondent at Shanghai that the original statement admit of no denial. Apparently, then, the hands of the French and Russian Consuls have been played somewhat too prematurely to have the desired effect. Considering that the claims for the extension of the Foreign Settle- ments are purely in the interests of inter- national commerce and civilisation, these reported objections are singularly narrow and objectionable. China can well afford to dispense with the combined sympathy of France and Russia, but she cannot continue to exist without the assistance of the three commercial powers of the World. As it has pleased the French and Russians to make this Settlement Extension an international dispute it is not unreasonable to suppose that Great Britain, the United States, and Germany will see to its conclusion as their subjects in China desire.
Fredericks, James Loohead, and H. Rut-
tonjes,
Prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to 12 mouths' imprisonment.
20th March.
IN APPELLATE Jurisdiction,
BEFORE SIR JOHN CARRINGTON (CHIEF JUSTICE) AND MR. JUSTICE Wise (PUISNE JUDGE).
THE HARDOON-BELILIO8 CASE, The Hardoou-Belilios cash was again brought before the court, notice having been given ot an application for leave to appeal to the Privy Council against the decison of the full court on February 28th, when an appeal brought by E. A. Hardoon was dismissed with costs. It was on the 19th May last that judgment was given against Mr. Hardoon, who brought an action against the Hon. E. R. Belilios, contend- ing that the latter was the true owner of cortuia shares and was liable by agreement or otherwise to indemuify him in respect of all calls on the shares.
(Daily Press, 18th March.) Some time ago our readers will remember that we drew attention to the question of the extension of the Foreign Settlements at Shanghai. We expressed ourselves as being unfavourable to the French claims for ex- tension, our contention being that the increase of an isolated national concession was not only undesirable in the interests of all foreigners alike at the northern port, but that the reasons advanced for that extension were flagrantly unjust. Our article did not, as our French friends might select to term it, arise from national jealousy at any advancement of French commerce at Shanghai. The enthusiastic ambitions of a Consul-general to advance the interests of France at Shanghai may be commendable, as France seems happier in her colonising experiments at Shanghai than in any other of her possessions or concessions, but justice, we take it, is infinitely greiter. The success of her experiment may probably be traced to the fact, as we previously pointed out, that foreign business in the French Con- cession is to the largest extent in the hands of British and Germans, French interests being confined to three gigantic missionary establishments and a few provision dealers. The French residents, and there are but few of them, for the most part prefer to reside in the Foreign Settlements, where also are situated the few French commercial houses of any importance; the remainder of the French Concession is inhabited solely by Chinese of the poorest type. Looking at the question simply from the view that the French desire enlargement of their Concession for purely commercial and san- itary reasone, it is difficult to accept such as their motives. The Concession is amply large enough for their business and its possible expansion for many years to come. And even when French com- merce shall increase with such proportions as to make that locality too narrow for its dimensions a sphere of operation may be found by whoever desires to enter-be he Gaul or be he Russian-in the neighbouring International Settlements at Shanghai. There the admirable principle prevails that whosoever will may enter and commence business freely and unrestrictedly. Re cognising this, it is astonishing to learn that the French and Russian Consuls at Shanghai have strongly protested against the application for extension of the Foreign Settlements. When some weeks ago Taotai TSAI was ordered from Pek- ing to vacate office in consequence of cornering the local native market in some commodity or other, the Consuls-Gen- eral for Great Britain, United States, and Germany petitioned the Viceroy that he be permitted to remain in office till the Settle- ment Extension question was decided.
The Chief Justice-The matter was not This was granted and negotiations appeared
argued really at the last sitting of the court. to proceed satisfactorily, albeit slowly, as is
The Hon. W. M. Goodman (Attorney Gen-The Court's mind was that we should be very customary in China, until some days ago, eral), instructed by Mr. H. L. Dennys (Crown sorry to stand in the way of appeal if there is when the Consula, wearied at length by de- Solicitor), appeared for the prosecution. He any reasonable ground for our granting it. lays, suggested a settlement. Te replied said prisoners were formerly house coolies in Mr. Robinsou said it was purely a question as by granting to the applicants about half of the service of Mrs. Stevens, wife of G. R. to whether the amount was appealable or not, what they wanted, and that half was ham. Stevens, who lived at Edenhall, in Lower and the cont ution of appellant was that he was Richmond Road. First prisoner, who had entitled to charge interest on the calls at the pered by conditions. The Consuls com-
pleaded guilty to certain facts, entered the rate of 10 per cent. They on the other hand mendably gave T8A1 his congé from office by employ of Mrs. Stevens on the 23rd Feb. said that the debt with the interest fixed by telegraphing to the Viceroy at Nanking to somewhere about half-past ten in the morning. contract in the Articles of Association merged hasten the coming of the new Taotai Lt, to He did not remain long in her service, however, in the judgment, and that only the legal amouut settle at once this question of years. This because about three hours afterwards he cleared of interest for the judgment debt could be re- the Viceroy has expressed himself as being out without giving notice to anybody, and he covered as from June 21, 1896, that was fixed by pleased to do. To anyone acquainted with thought the jury would be of opinion that he took Order 2, rale 16, of the High Court of England. Shanghai it is obviously absurd to attempt away with him the rings, and so on, which he was at 4 per cent. per annum. Therefore they said to draw any comparison between the Inter-Charged with stealing. The question the jury that they might take their judgment debt of, would have to try as far as he was concerned £402 odd and charge interest on that amonut national Settlements and the French Con- I was as to whether he stole a silk handkerchief at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum and no more.
SUPREME COURT.
18th March.
CRIMINAL SESSIONS.
BEFORE SIR JOHN CarringtON (CHIEF JUSTICE.)
Chan Wah and Ching Fu were charged with larceny from a dwelling-bonuse. First prisoner pleaded guilty on three counts and not guilty on the fourth-as to the theft of a handkerchief, Second prisoner pleaded not guilty on all counts He also pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen goods well knowing the same to have been stolen.
The following were the jurors :-Messrs. A. S. Anton, E. H. Joseph, J. Klinok, D. F. Petigars, B. M. Nieera, J. T. Aquino, and L.
M. J. Alvares.
|
The Hon. H. E. Pollock (instructed by Messrs. Monnsey and Brutton) appeared for Mr. Hardoon, aud Mr. E. Robinson (instructed by Messrs. Deacon and Hastings) for Mr. Be- lilios.
Mr. Pollock said the affidavit filed by the other side was only delivered that morning. It might possibly be necessary to file something in answer. He had not had time to fully sider the point.
The Chief Justice-'l'hen you will have leave to file it.
cou-
Mr. Robinson said the contention of the appellant was that he was entitled-notwith. standing judgment in the High Court of England on the 22nd June, 1898-to charge interest upon the amount of the calls £387 10%., payable by plaintiff to the liquidator of the Bank of China, Japan, and the Straits at the rate of 10 per cent, which was the rate named in Article 21 of the Articlen of Association.
1-