Page
THE WEST RIVER COLLISION CASE.
JUDGMENT AGAINST THE STANDARD OIL IN REGARD TO LIGHTS.
MISSING FLOUR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 26TH, 1916.
PEKING NOTES.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]
PEKING, May Teth
THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
expected had they waited and formed a larger confederacy. Then it is interest- ing to note that the Cabinet, feeling its own strength, has defed the Southern Government, and, in a very scathing and Like a bolt from the blue came the the Southern leaders for presuming to critical telegram, Tuna Chi Jui scores
of China and the Bank of Communica should dictate to the established Govern- announcement last Friday that the Bankingine that a minority such as they are ion had been ordered by the Governmentment of Chine and for regarding them not to issue silver against their respet selves as in a position to speak for the tatouran, made it very effective réply tive ures. It was known that the Gov
people of China Tuan, though not a
The case was concluded at the Criminal Sessions yesterday in which four Chinese were charged with receiving 130 bags of flour, the property of the Kowloon Whart FAIRWAY QUESTION TO BE FURTHER ARVED them to have been stolen.
and Godown Company, well knowing The Chief Justice gave his decision
Much more evidence was called, yesterday, in regard to the question of
after lengthy lights only, in the Admiralty action injury, who retired and were absent
ddresses by counsel, the which the Shui On Steamship Company half-an-hour, returned a verdict of guilty daimed $100,000 damages from the against the first and second prisoner Standard Oil Company in consequence who were shopkeeper and accountant of a collision between their steamship respectively, and not guilty against the money, and frenzied finance was the Declaration of the South, Interest
the Shur On and the Standard Oil light er Ruth in the West River on the night in January 15th Jast. The Standard Oil Company
counter-claimed damages to be assessed.
for
In the course of his judgment the Chief Justice, said:"Two questions priss for the decision of the Court-(1) Was the lighter lying in the fairway ? (2) Was
she
bghted is required by the regulations? As to the first question, Tairway, there was a great deal of evi- Vence taken, and it was agreed, at a
other two, who were shop coolies. His lordship considered the serious one
second
and sentenced the first prisoner to three years hard labour. The the probability that he was acting under prisoner, in view of bis youth, and
influence, was sentenced to three months hærde inbour.
SHIPPING NOTES. THE N.V.K'S RECORD, Inte stage in the care, that the point her to a beans, its roses hind During the 30 the NYK. has
Of
is added to his message by the fact that it was written by his own hand.
There seema
Peace Conference at Shanghai will not have the results anticipated. The Gov- to be a feeling that the
the uncomprising attitude of the ernment is becoming restive. It dislikes Southerners, and apparently concludes that if there is to be a resumption of fighting it may as well be commenced at once. But perhaps this is only bluff.
MINISTERIAL.
ernment suffered from a scarcity of ready perhaps to be expected, but no one dreamed that the particular measure taken would be adopted Consequently the greatest anxiety was felt throughout the capital and further afield. No one uncertainty added to the gravity of the knew exactly how matters stood, and this situation. Most people regarded the Government action as a huge mistake The Cabinet's declaration bad riot, the virtue of a moratorium, and when it was learned that the foreign banks were un- willing to assist the two national banks national credit was foreseen, but what Chi, who took the portfelic of the Minie the worst was feared. The effect on the nounced unofficially this week Sun Pao Certain ministerial changes are an
made most people apprehensive was the try of Finance in the new, Cabinet, has thought as to how the troops would re-resigned and shows that he means it by ceive the announcement.
leaving the capital for Tientsin. It is suggested that he feels aggrieved in that au minister of Finance he was not consulted regarding the declaration of succeeded by Chow Taz Chi, It is suggestive of Chinese methods to point the so-called moratorium.
out that Chow was selected for this position at least six months ago, but only after devious ways bas he been ap Minister for Foreign Affairs, who hand- led the negotiations with Japan very
should abide the decision of the Court
made (at September 30th, 1918) 83,228 on the question of the lights: the de fendants contending, in the alternative, a loss of 27 vessels wrecked and 376 lives voyages, totalling 80,991,602 miles, with that the Buth, not bring in or near a Inir-lost (254 passengers and 122 crew.) way at the time of the collision, was sidering the difficulties and dangers
Naturally, all business was brought to e) Con: It is true that the Chinese under no obligation to host lights, navigation on many parts of the Japanerchants carried on under instructions This is a question partly of law and const, with fogs, snowstorms, hurricanes cared to risk the dire penalties threaten partly of fact, and whilst reserving this and typhoons, the record of the NY Ked for refusing to accept the notes of from the police authorities. No one point for further argument if desired, is an excellent one, and the splendide two Barks concerned, but, still, they I may, however, observe that whilst the achievement in getting the ginsengers and made inquiries before completing tran Court fully accepts the defendant's
crew of the Yasaka Varu away from the suctions as to how payment was to be evidence that the Saui On had been con-
determined the price of the commodities. The Government services accepted notes
He will he
voyed over the water in jacstion by op doomed ship in about 10 minutes without made, and the answer to these inquiries pointed at last. Lu Cheung Hsing, the
the loss of a single life is one of which the company has every reason to be proud.
or more British torpedo-boats, and con- siders the plaintiff's evidence on that point halting and unsatisfactory, aud further believes that on these occasions the
Course have differed somewhat as lights and their
May from the course adopted on the night was concerned. The evidence given by presence on board in question, the assessor, after fully con- sidering the evidence of the expert witnesses as a whole, advises me that in bis opinion the S'kui On was justified in taking the course which brought her -into collision with the Ruth. He says, in reply to my question:~
as usual, but the difficulty was to obtain skilfully has also resigned, and it is silver.
reported that a successor will be found
and showed great readiness to cash their The two Banks kept their doors open the Captain of the Shui On, the Quarter-own notes for smaller denominations, but master, and the No. 2 pilot as to the the man who wanted silver found little collision was clear and emphatic, and antisfaction in being handed one-dollar taking into consideration the net That notes. the Shut On was on the most crit had piles of silver and copper coins on The money-changer, who usually part of her voyage, with both her watch view, removed these, and evinced a cer- keepers the Chief Officer and Pilot-tain hesitation to part with silver. How 1. have come to the conclusion that freshly come on watch, it was difficult the wreck was lying on the edge of to conceive how, if the Ruth's lights bad the southern bank situated 8.64 degrees W., and about seven cables been burning, the officers could have from the Swashway Light, and in missed seeing them, and in suficient about 8 feet of water at low tide. High
Water on the 15th of January worked time to avoid collision.
cut for Wong Moon, using Breat and As to the improbable story" put also London Bridge as standard ports forward by the Ruth's witnesses regard gives the time as midnight practically, spring tide. So that at 2.15 ming the lights, it became desirable, said
ths
ever, they are now giving five twenty-cent pieces for n dollar instead of six before, and 133 coppers for a dollar. The situation to-day is and there is a great feeling of hopefulness that
of a day or two. the crisis will be overcome in the course
I am told that both banks have in on January 16th, over the position his lordship to test the evidence of the hand something like 36 million dollars, of the wreck, there would be sorge Batter to 12 feet 8 inches of water. So I am
and that as uns, like 30 million dollars. ascertain how far it was strongly of opinion that had the Preliable, and whether there were ruuterial payment of lean obligations and railway not been there the Shui On, although discrepancies in the evidence of the two set down by the wind and tide from men alleged to be on board, which would credit with foreign nations, believing loan charges, thus maintaining China's the usual track, would have had. suficient water to take her over the justify the Court in holding that the that the internal situation can be ad hank and into the Southern Channel"
story, at once improbable, was in fact jusfed fairly easily. This reserve will “As to the evidence of lights, the incredible. defendant's case is that the Ruth was
also afford enough to pay the troops His lordship proceeded to examine Yesterday, however, I was told that the fully equipped with lights as required this evidence and remarked that ex- Foreign Ministers had approached the by the Hongkong regulations. It is not perience in those Courts showed that Government with a suggestion that a contested she was possessed of these Chinese vitnesses had rarely much idea scheme be devised whereby lights on the night in question that she of distance, but he could not agres with Proportion of the bank funds may be invariably hoists her own lights when the contention of the counsel that little released monthly in order that foreign the Comet is standing by; that it is a if any importance attached to these business may be continued. Immediately common practice of the crew to do so; particulars in the preliminary act, the the banks suspended payment on Friday and that there was no reason why they object of which was to obtain from the the foreign firms refused to accept the should depart from the usual practice parties statements of the facts at a times of the two banks, and on that night; that, in fact, the crew when they were fresh in their recollection, nothing could be done, as the Chinese consequently of the Comet saw her lights up when and before either party shaped his case;
profered the only money that they they left her about 2 am, and, further, and in this case discrepancies, in parti possessed, which was, of course, Chinese that after the collision two red lights ulars required, having regard to the and one white light, which are the lights story on which the defendant's rolled, which the Ruth grow swear to have been-
money.
a certain,
There is a tendency to blame the Cabinet for the suspension of
in his former Vice-Minister, Tsao Ju
Ling.
AUTOMOBILE ON THE CITY WALE
by a number of foreigners on Monday An interesting exhibition was witnessed
Dewette, of Fratar & Co., climbed the when an automobile, driven by Mr.
ramp behind the American Legation and was received with shouts of applause from the American soldiers, who waited on the top Then the car was driven along the wall to the Chienmen, and afterwards descended the same ramp. The trial was a great success for the automobile, which has the distinction of being the first to run along the Peking city wall. The three passengers in the
were Dr. Reinsch
car
Minister), Mr. C. Deny (the American
bile Co.), and Mr. W. H. Donald.
PERSONAL
Mr. David Fraser, the Times" "corre- spondent, will soon become a Benedict
The lady is coming out from Home,
thusiastic pedestrian, has now succumbed Sir Richard Dane, who was a most en-
to the motor fascination. He benght car in Shanghai.
Lady Jordan is preparing for her departure for Hane this month.
There have been a number of American Miss Seidmore, the well-kwown writer notabilities in Peking these last few days. on Japan, is here for a few days. Miss Carl, the distinguished artist who painted the famous portrait of the old will remain several months. Mr. and Dowager Empress, has arrived here and Mrs. Roy Chaplain Andrews, who are study mammals in the interior, spent a proceeding to Kweichow specially to
hoisted and alight at the time of the were most material. The discrepancies Mistaken the actionem Payment few days here before going south
collision, were missing.
were obvious. It was idle to contend that the discrepancies which had been
undoubtedly was, China contrives to emerge from ap and harmful its effects will prove, but s
be expected that the financial crisis will parently insuperable difficulties it way
be settled before long. One theory which the Chinese like to
to believe is that the
After analysing the evidence of the defendant's witnesses on the question of lights, and also the testimony
of the plaintiff's witnesses and of independent witnesses, his lordship said, with re ference to the latter, that if the evidence witnesses constituted the piece de Japanese were buying the notes of the
of the Chief Officer of the On Lee and
discovered were not material when he was testing the truth of the story The position of the sampan, the para, and the lifebuoys mentioned by defendant's
xistance of the tale.
In face of the facts he was cf the
two banks with the intention of present-
As their note issue is almost unlimited, ing these and causing the banks to fail the probabilities of such action naturally loom very seriously in the vision of those who know what can be done
POLITICAL
The event of the week is the formation
the evidence of the pilot of the Shun opinion that the story of the two men Lee was to be believed, the presumption in the sampan who said that they left was strong that there was no light the Ruth when the collision took place, visible on the Ruth when the On Lee was absolutely incredible, passed her about 10 p.m., or when the "I desire to add that this finding as Shan Lee passed after I am. I think on the witnesses who speak as to the to lights does not imply any reflection the comment of the defendant's counsel equipment of the Ruth's lights. It is
fair, that they are independent wit-hat her lights were hoisted, as state of the Government in the South by the
quite possible, and in fact probable, Jesses in the sense of not being in the in evidence, at an earlier period of four provinces which have repudiated --employment of either side." His lord the night, but owing to the fore of Peking - Such zotion may have seemed
ship then proceeded to examine at would not burn. There is, however, no
the wind, and heavy sea and spray, they logical and correct to those who are guid length the evidence of both sides in doubt whatever in the opinion of the ing the affairs of these provinces, but regard to the collision, and said that time of the collision. In so far as the the point of Peking but of
Court that they were not alight at the here it is regarded as a mistake, not from be regarded as of great importance the question of the lights is concerned my
Canton
evidence of Mr. Gillies, Chief Officer on
Mr. A Ramsay, formerly of the Hong the Peking Daily News for two years, is kong Daily Press, who has been editing
severing his connection with that journal,
SOLDIER SETTLERS FOR THE
EMPIRE
CIFER FROM VICTORIA.
luncheon given him by the Victorian Sir H Rider Haggard, speaking at a Melbourne Royal Colonial Institute, announced amid enthusiasm that the Premier, Sir Alexander Peacock, had written to him
United Kingdom ex-Servicemen and We are prepared to extend to all their families the sage advantages as we give to our returned Australian sol regards land settlement or otherwise a diers. The men will require to be fashion. selected in England in some approved
Sir H. Rider Haggard delivered a stir decision is in favour of the plaintiffs. By forming a government these provinces said he had been accused at home of ring Imperiel address, which greatly in the Shut On He was the offer on the plaintiffs, asked if any indication could might have joined them will care to play He was doing nothing of the hereft of Mr. Alabaster, who represented the have made it unlikely that others who washing to tempt men out of Britain pressed the representative gathering. – He bridge at the time of the collision, and be given as to when the question of if he was telling the truth it disposed fairway would be argued.net
of the sort. He second fiddle to Canton. In other words, the Empire those who flew overseas 11
simply wanted to catch * Mr. Potter, who, along with Mr.it is felt here that the Southern Con- a man was determined to go from Britain.
of the story of the two men alleged to Jenkin, appeared on behalf of the federacy will be limited to our provinces then he would say for God's sake let him
have been on board the Ruth in so far, Standard Oil Company, asked that this
might be decided in Chambers, and his and will not receive any accession of flordship agreed
numbers or strength as might have been
(Continued on next Column.)
go somewhere where his own fag fies The whole Empire was the home of the Empire's sors
INTIMATIONS
LANE
CRAWFORD &Co.
SUMMER FURNISHING
FABRICS.
JUST TO HAND
CASEMENT CLOTHS
WITH COLOURED BORDERS.
INEXPENSIVE, DAINTY, EFFECTIVE.
PLAIN CASEMENT
CLOTHS
IN A VARIETY OF SHADES.
FULL RANGE OF BORDERS TO MATCH.
CRETONNES LINENS
AND TAFETAS.
ALL ABOVE MATERIALS ARE
SUN FAST AND TUB FAST.
PATTERNS ON APPLICATION.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.-
BUY
EXCHEQUER
BONDS.
This is the most effective way in
which you can
HELP TO WIN THE WAR.
BUY SOME
NOW.
It will give you the feeling that
you are doing something really
worth while. There's an element
of chance in it, too, that makes
it sporting If the Huns Win,
bang goes your saxpence! They
won't win, though. Posterity
demands that they shan't, and
YOUR SILVER BULLETS
WILL STOP THEM.
SANATOGEN CO. (CHINA).
Inuir Company is exclusively BRITISH and is included in the WHITE LIST” EG to announce that their, preparations BANATOGEN, FORMAMINT LONDON WORKS of the DANATOGEN CO, LONDON AN issued by the CONSUL-GENERAL SHANGILALAG
HEAD OFFICE: 1, THE BUND, SHANGHAI
Belly the PENZANCE Cornwall, ENGLANDA
They have appointed Messrs. NOW FUNG & Co. to act as their Sole Wholesale Agents for Hongkong and South China, who will maintam stocks and si ply their YOU ROAD CENTRAL Goods at Prices which can be obtained on application to their Office, No. 10, Dm
$88