March 19, 1906.)
BIG JEWEL ROBBERY AT
SHANGHAI.
The NC. Daily News of the 6th inst. says: An astonishing jewel robbery, the details of which have been kept a close secret, took place in January last. A jewel case containing draft for $12,000 (gold) and diamonds valued at 88,000 (Mexican) disappeared from a room in the Astor House. The police were notified, and Inspector McDowell was assigned to the case. ons -It appears that Mrs. J. Gerteds, the wife of a wealthy Russian engineer, was a guest at the sit Astor House for some days in January last, preparing for a trip to America. She made but few friends during her stay in the Settlements but one was a woman, who was received several 67 times in Room 40, Mrs. Gertedz's room. This sg friend was obliging enough to assist the Russian ---i lady in purchasing such articles as were necos- sary for the voyage. In a burst of confidence Mrs. Gerleds disclosed to her friend the fact that furs the jewel case, which she invariably carried in ziber shopping bag, contained a Hongkong and Changbai Bank draft on San Francisco for of $12,000 (gold), also some $4,000 worth of jewels. od On the 31st of January the friend called as usual at Room 40. In the evening Mrs. Gertedz had occasion to use a portion of her jewellery. Upon opening the bag she was surprised to find that the jewel case and its contents had disappeared. Inspector MeDowell at once suspected the lady friend. bat Mrs. Gertedz repudiated the idea, and his investigations failed to bring to light the slightest evidence to connect the friend with the disappearance of the jewel ease. The local pawnshops were searched, a description of the jewels was telegraphed to all adjacent cities, and several suspects were carefully shadowed, all without result. Mrs. Gertedz was very anxions to proceed to America and when no trace of her missing property had ben found by the 10th of February, ten days after the theft, she gave up all hope of recovering it and sailed for San Francisco.
Some days passed when a ricsha coalie brought to the Police Station the missing draft, which he had picked up in the street. The draft was returned to the Bank and eventually forwarded
to Mrs. Gerdetz at San Francisco.
Last Friday it was reported that a foreigner had offered a quantity of jewels for sale and, following up this clue, Inspector McDowell effected the arrest yesterday morning of au Australian named Handley. $1,000 in caslı Klaudia part of the missing jewellery wers found under the pillow of Handley's bed. Late in the day information thus obtained led 10 the a rest of an Americau named Morris Wart, and of Mrs. Childress, formerly of the Jessfield Inn and now living at 2, North oochow Road. In consideration of the fact that Mrs. Childress has three little children she has been allowed to remain in custody in her va own house until provision can be made for the children. A careful search of the house revealed no trace of the missing jewel case or other stolen articles. Last night two detective left * *for Ningpo armed with a warrant for the arrest *** of Mrs. Childress' husband, who is supposed to to have disposed of some of the property.
DEATHS AT SHANGHAL.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
1
of
207
machines.
ced funds dvanced it
had a considerable practice at Shanghai, but | refining houses, adopted the who had been in failing health for some months. Formerly the Bank of Formoss Mr. Bidoulac was not one of the most successful to sugar merchants, who in of men, but he had a kindliness of manner which | to producers, but since the promotion all the buffettings of life could not overcome. His colleagues at the local bar have undertaken the adoption of new machinery – ad many sugar-refining companies the responsibility for the funeral to-day as a made direct to producers had much inere tribute to his memory.
The working of three gold mines in Keelung was being steadily extended. The valus gold bullion purchased by the bank during last year from the mines in the island amounted to over 12,000,000, an increase of about Y300,000 on the figures for the preceding year. Advances the island such as tea, sugar, rice, and camphor made by the bank on the principal produce of
daring last year amounted to Y19,000,000 show- ing an increase of Y7,000,000 on the figures for the preceding year, the increase in advances on rice and sugar amounting to Y6,200,000.
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE FOR CHINA.
1)
hai is cited as evidence that the Chinese are also
After referring to the smooth circulation of the bank's convertible notes, Mr. Shimosaka stated that towards the end of the first half of last year a branch office was established in Foochow, which opened business on July 1st.
AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY.
The 18th ann 1 report of the Christian Literature Society (China), for 1904-5, has reached us. It contains excellent portraits of Archdeacon Moule, C.M.S., of the late Dr. Edkins, the late Miss M-lvin, and some pictures of the Society's productions. The report states that Japan's victory over Russia has diminished European prestige in China, and referring to the boycott, takes the view that foreign powers ought to apply the golden rule in their relations with China. "The Chinese (it is also said) 'begin to realise that China needs to have a constitutional government on western lines." The election of thirty town councillors at Shang. REGISTRATION OF PARTNERSHIPS, turning their attention to municipal government. The writer of the report believes that the Chinese authorities are in earnest with regard to inang- urating reforms, showing "that powerful leaven is doing its work." But "the warlike spirit seems to be largely in the ascendant." The boycott proved that China has b gu to unite on national questions," and "We have thus before as the rise of public opinion in China, which may be a great power for good if directed into the proper chann la" ducation is advancing with leaps and bounds. The Missions also greatly advanced towards union, or complets co-operation, especially the Presbyterian bodies, Sales of the Socity's literature had fallen off this year, owing to various causes; but the financial stringency, never heless, was passing away. Since 1838, $173,414 worth of literature has been sold, the quantity for 1905 being $24,028. We have given the salient features of the report; some of the opinions quote in the beginning do not have dar eudorsement.
{
THE TRADE OF FORYOS).
REVIEW OF THE YEAR.
In bis review of the trade of Formosa, Mr. Shimosaka, one of the directors of the Bank of Formosa, said the economic situation in Formosa during the first half of last year was but little affected by the war. In the second half business gradually revived as the peace negotiations progressed. The weather w 8 very favourable throughout the year, and the result of all agricultural work was satisfactory, the yield of sugar and tea being above that of a normal year. The sugar-refining industry, and the reclaiming of waste land, etc, had made good progress. The exports from the island monoted tɔ Y24,300,000 and imports to Y24.400,0 0, showing
an
increase of Y1,500,000, in exports and of Y1,400,000 in imports. The value of foreign trade showed a decrease of Y3,50,000, but the trade with Japan showed an increase of Y6,500,000. This change was brought about by the increase in the production of tea, rice, sugar, and other commodities and also by the fact that trade with the Chinese coast on the other side of the channel was being gradually last year two banks were established by the absorbed by transactions with Japan. During
utilisation of bonds in payment for the accountant, and afterwards he was associated purchase of a great lease of land, as it is termed, and their bink advanced the successively with Bell's Asbestos Company: capital on security of the bonds. Five
Many ciroles in Shanghai, says the N.-C. Daily News, will feel the gap onsed by the death yesterday morning (5th inst.,) of Mr. W. Wa Clifford, who came to Suangbai as long ago as 1875. For sixteen years Mr. Clifford was assisconnected with Messrs. Hall & Holis as
the Central Stores, Lit, -the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Co., and the Shanghai Electric and Asbestos Co. He took a lively in. terest in public affairs, though chiefly from the uotis point of view of critio, and was a frequent cor- entrespondent of the newspapers, Socially he was a sit prominent Freemason, one of the founders of në Lodge Saltoun, and the originator of the No Wilaley Clubin Range Road. Mr. Clifford was 8 301 57 years of age and much sympathy is felt with
ozshis widow who survives.
The death was also announced on the same -goroday, though it took place the previous Friday, of Mr. A. Bidoulao, a barrister who at one time
credit leagues were also formed, the bank flɔano- ing these also on the security of the bonds. The sugar-refining industry was steadily developing by the special sistance rendered by the Island Government, and the quality was gradually improving. During the advance of the sugar market in 1904 the area under cultivation was greatly increased, and two new refineries were established by the natives in addition to the formation of two sagar-refining companies. In June last year (fovernment regulations for the control of sugar mills were wed, by which the adoption of machinery of a new class was encouraged, and as a result 44
We [Singapore Free Press] have to thank the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce for a copy of the 1905 report which has reached us, The book contains besides accounts, etc., reports of the special general meeting, the annual and half yearly meetings. The report, however, is mainly interesting from certain correspondence published in regard to the Registration of Partnerships proposal. These letters were written in 1905 and must have ben in the knowledge of the Chamber or at least the Chairman and Secretary when the famous meeting was held at which the Chamber by 19 votes to seven, opposed the principle of the bill, A.B we painted out then the Penang Chamber was decidedly in favour of the scheme. It now appears, though we were not told so at the time, that both the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and the Hongkong Chamber recognised that legislation on the subject was inevitable and as far as Bengal is concerned was so desired that the re the Chamber had actually framed a bill and it was Govern- ment which was hanging back. Despite this it was said in effect that no influential body in the East desired registration, and yet all the time both Bengal and Hongkong recognized that the desire was so strong that practical legislation was imminent if not pending. These letters in appendix K should give memb rs of the Chamber considerable food for reflection, but they would doubtless have had far greater effect had they been printed and laid on the table of the now famous meeting of the "ma- jority of twelve" who claimed to represent the real weight of opinion in the Settlement.
THE LATE KING OF DENMARK.
It will be remembered that the Legislative Council passed a vote of condolence on the occasion of the death of King Christian of Denmark. That resolution which was worded as follows, was forwarded on January 31st:-
The Colony of Hongkong through ita Legislative Council desires humbly to express the sorrow with which the intelligence of the death of the Queen's father has been received and its deep sympathy with Their Majesties the King and Queen in their bereavement.
NATHAN.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies London.
The following reply has been received:
Downing Street, 6th February, 1906. Sir, I have laid before the · King - your telegram of the 81st of January, expressing the Colony's sympathy with His Majesty and with Her Majesty the Queen on the death of the King of Denmark.
His Majesty commande me to expres behalf of the Queen and himself; his appreciation of this kind and loyal ** sympathy from His people in Hongkong
I have, de.
Governor Sir
Nathan, K.0.MG