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THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JUNE 21st, 1924
ASSASSINATION AT CANTON.
"
DASTARDLY OUTRAGE AT THE
VICTORIA HOTEL.
FIVE FRENCH RESIDENTS KILLED
SEVEN INJURED.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDÖ-CHINA ÉSCAPES INJURY.
Andastardly attempt on the life of M. Merlin, the Governor-General of lado-China, was made at the Victoria Ilotèl on Shurven, the Foreign Settlement of Canten, on Thursday night. M. Merlin himself was. fortunately, not, injured, hat we, regret to announce that two well-known French residents were killed instantly, three others are reported to have Savenailed to the injuries they received, and seven French residents are andre treatmint in hospital.
The affair caused the deepest possible sensation among the survivors." Ladies subbed out hysterical lamentations, and: more than one man broke down,
PORTUGUESE FLIERS IN
HONGKONG.
FORCED LANDING JUST, OVER THE BORDER.
It was some time, before the majority recovered mufficiently self-control to con- The Portuguese aviators, who left cern themselves with the capture of the Hanoi atam. yesterday were com assassin wtu, according to R beliefpelled to make a landing at Shum Chun strongly prevalent among the Freuch fut 2.30 yesterday afternoon. Their in- community, is the paid agent of a secret teption "was to proceed to Macne, the society,
terminal point of their fight. The upper Dr. Vadom, of the French Hospital at winds," yesterday, however, were that Hongkong, left the Colony last night for ferre, that it was found inpossible to Canton, to assist in the care of the land there Two attempts were muele, wounded victims of the tragedy,
the aviators trying to plane out off velocities of 200 miles per hour. An
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE.
border.
1
The following was received from Goe-empt was then made to strike Canton, ernment House, Hongkong, list-night: the fiery following the railway line. Governor-General Merlin, accompanied Eheir petrol gave out, however, and a by M.M. Chatel and St. Felix and one forced tamling had to be made at Shum other French ufficial arrived in Hongkong Chun, which is just over the Chinese in the French gunhout 'Ifalicieuse it a pm yesterday: The party was met by Capt. Neville, A.D.C. to E. the toter A legata reefard by the Anagkong || Within a few moments of the occurrence nor, and conducted ashore at the flag the whole of Shameen had turned out stat steps. Naval Yard. Here they were and the horel was invaded by anxigus met by de. Merlin, and a number of enquirers. Arrangements were made for the French cumanity in Hongkong the reuoval of the wounded to the Paul Commodore Grace and a Guard of sa Douner.(Frejich) Hospital,- "Thany willing
Dolly Hole pesterdag said:
At the coronerament of a sinner River by the French community in the out of the Victoria Hotel in honour of the Governin-General of Indo-China last pight at 9 pan, a bonds was throw through the, window.
3. Rodgau (a sub-discountant of the Bauque "Tudo-China) and M. Demaretz (manager of the General Silk Import- ing Co. Inc. of New York) were killed instantly Madame Bemaretz has since dind of the wounds she received,
|
Marines."
The Governer-General aul Mde." Mer
::
hands assisting in their retoval, whilst others joined in the chase of the assassinio proceeded to Government House where. Asked if it was known from what point they are staying as guests of H.E. the. of the roots the bowl was thrown, our Governor of Hongkong, and the other informant, said it came through one of the
members of 31. Merlin's staff went to the Hongkong Hotel, end windows. The dining table, was ar seriously wounded and seven other ranged lengthwise and he estimated there French residents are in hospital.
must bare been close at 50 guests pre- The murderer, who W.23:3 nemed, l'ent, sonie, of whom had only„arrivod escaped to the river where a vaayaan was waiting. He bred several shots at his parsers.
Messieurs. Pelletier and Gerin, ware
One message received in the Colony mentioned that M. (erin and M. Pelletier were mortally wounded and later news was received in the effref that both had
succumbed. M. H. Gerin
WILN a well- known member of the French community of Canton where he was Director of the silk fria of Messrs. Getin, Drevard & Co. M. Pelletier wice ales, understand, connected with the wilk trade.
We
p.
the บ.ม. S.K.
The party leave pa Cally on Sunday.
GOVERNOJUS - MESSAGE TO M
MERLIN...
From this point the aviators took the train,"to Koloon. They had to leave. the machine unguardesh. Arriving me the Water Police Station. they were taken care of by Inspector Angus, and wors afterwanis accompanied to the Club - Raergio, where, of "course, they met, a number of compatriots. The fliers werk very wet and dirty, and had had no süstfaence sine their departure from Hanoi.
The Hiers dined at the Cick Lusitano. where they met with a warm welcome from the officials of the Club, including Mr. Silva Netto, and a large assembly of members
Luckily, the machine is not damaged. tight leader, however, sustained a sprained wrist in effecting a landing..
when the bomb (contrüned in a handbag) was thrown and Madame Demaretz
His Excellency the Governor received
AIRMAN INTERY LEWED. had just taken their seats, The time of early news by a radiogram from Canton
When representative of the Daily to the effect that an attempt was made Press called at the house of the Consul the occurrence was approximately 8.40
The Governor-fieneral ocupied a there, on Thursday night, upon the life General for Portugal late last night, be was met by Capt." Sarmento de Beires, seat at the centre of the table. The of HLE. Merlin. Governor-General Capt. Brit Pies being in bed, having assassin was apparently under the impres of lado-China, the message stating that sustained sight contusions in landing.
Capt. de Beires told our representa. sion, that 3. Merlin was sented at the bouch was thrown by an unknowa, per- tive that a start was made from Son-tay. end of the table with his back to the son during a dinner party, given by the about 45 kilometres from Hanoi, shortly The weather window through which the bout was French community of Canton at the Vic-after am, yesterday. throw for the handbag was thrown in toria Hotel, in honour of the Governor was fine at the start, but on approaching Macao, after four hours flight, it became this direction. His vile work completed, General's visit; that . Merlin nad his wretched. Among those who received lesser in- the assassin doubted through the British suite escaped injury, but three of the guests were killed and six others were Dr. Casbianca. (Acting Concession, a number of Chinese con-
wounded. Canton, Captain stables taking up the pursuit in response: Bernard, A.D.C. to the Governor-General, to the blowing of whistles. The assassin Messieurs J.-P. Luthier and C. L Four- fired severd shots in quick succession at sier Both of the two list named gentle. [air pursuers. Unfortunately, the Chinese men are connected with the Danger de constables on the Shamcen are not armed,
so that they could not return the 1 Indo-Chine. Captia Bernard was
Several Shanseen residents joined in the slightly wounded, in the right apper arm.
chase and the man was pursued into the The identity of the assassin, is not yet pudic gardons of the French Concession known, nor has it been ascertained who-where he lost his hat,
This was after ther any arrest has been made. One report states that the servant was an Amauite, who hurled the botal through "ap open window of the hotel, if then escaped by leaping into the creek for
juries ware French Consul
the French Bund.
at
"We tried to reach Carton," said the irman, but when over Shun Chun our motor began to miss and we were forcedl to descend. We intend to bring our machine to Hongkong tomorrow, from whence we shall make a start for Macao
*s soon as it is assembled and conditions are favourable."
Upon receipt of this information. His Exoellency sent the following wireless message to His Excellency M. Merlin :--
Horrified to bear of dastardly Contrary to report, the mechanic has attempt Congratulate Your Excellency not been with the fliers since, the crash Deanly symont Jodhpur. He is now on his way to pathise French community
STEES.!!
"CHINESE' OFFICIAL ENTERTAIN-
His Excellents had invited a number of people to dine, at Gorerament House (wards recovered.' After dodging amongst last night, to meet Madame Mertin who the main road between the Shameen too. Owing to the regrettable occurrence the bushes, the hunted man ent back for did not accompany her husband to Cun-
houses and the creek, which separates the in Canton the dinner party was can- Sharpeen from the Bund. There he dived celled. into the water and was lost eight of The DETAILS OF THE OUTRAGE. hunt was continued for some time after from, a well known British resident of words but no trace of him could be found. Hongkong, who returned from Canton Before leaving Canton yesterday morn yesterday afternoon by the ss. Homining our informant was told that M. Gerin we were able to obtain further details of had succumbed in, hospital, and that. Dr. the dastardly outrage..
Our informant was not actually present at the reception, but he was staying in The hotel and arrived on the scene a few Toments after the bomb had been thrown.
party.
Casalsaica's wound was more serious than at first thought. He will probably
lose the use of his left arm...
M. MERLIN'S RETURN. -".
WIFE AND CHILD GREET HIM AT THE JETTY. M. Merlin returned to Hongkong yes. terday afternoon.
(11)
The time of His Excellency's arrival and the place at which he was to come shore were not made public, so that only a spall gathering of people were present when he landed at the Dockyard,
-
These were Mine. Merlin and her little
MENTS CANCELLED. We learn that 3. Merlin was to have been entertained at tiffin yesterday by the Civil Governor of Canton, and that Dr. Sun Yat Sen had arranged to give a dinner in hohour of the distinguished visitor last night. These functions were necessarily cancelled as ML Merlin left Canton yesterday morning on a French gunboat to return to Hongkong
KOWLOON DOOK WORKER
MURDERED, · STABBED TO DEATH OUTSIDE HIS HOME
He was in the dining rooms of the hotel when be beard a terrife explosion which shook the hotel to its foundations. "That's, a bomb." he shouted and rushed at of the dining room to the main hall." 'le saw
A number of people asking towards the now buli-room (on the right and side of the hall as one leaves the
A sub-contractor, named Min Tso. lining roun} and joined the axious A horrible sight met his eyes.
employed at Kowloon Docks, was foully son, and a sprinkling of the tubre in done, to death outside his own home on Une end of the reception table was can- pletely wrecked and several dead and fluential French residents in the Colony.Thursday night. He was found lying wounded people were mixed up in the As the Governor-General of Indo-China unconscious on the doorstop of his house wreckage. Bented in his elair he saw stepped from the launch in which he had in "Chatham Degiaretz. He went across to his and heen escorted share by Cipt. Neville, wife. He had : found that he was quite dead, whilst ADC to 1. The Governor, he was Madame Demaretz was lying apparently rected by Commodore Grace, B.N.; and dead at his side. Two or three other sented atmis.
a guard of honour of Royal Marines pre- were unconscious. Consternatios reigned syireme; some little time elapsing before the uninjured guests could fully realise winit bad happened. In fear of another homh the uninjured "guests, including H.E the Governor General, had crept
under" the table.
One of his staff, a French Officer, was slightly wounded. A number of the Chinese servants, serving at the end of the table on which the bomb alighted, were also wounded about the head, though only slightly,
Fortunately, the force of the explosion" of the infernal machine struck upwards in stead of downwards, which, our informant considered lessened its wrecking power, Nevertheless, the force, as it was, must have bees terrific for the cutlery was afterwards found to be embedded in the Jurniture and in one or two cases knives and forks were extracted from the bodies of guests either killed or wounded.
4
M. Merlin embraced his wife and little oy, and was almost immediately sur rounded by an eagerly sterested group of French people, who pled him with questions as to the tragic happenings of
the night before,
越
9.40 p.m., by his Saswad through the
SALONIKA DINNER.
7)
WAR COMRADES REUNION,
which is set apart fortre-union and com Yesterday was Salonika Thay, a day
memoration by those who served during the Great War with the British Forces on the Salonika front. At Home the day was to have been observed by a Salonika dinner. held in London over which General Milne of the Horse Guards was to have presided. In Hong- kong inst night a similar function was held, the place of reunion being the tendance was exceptionally small, seven. Hongkong Hotel Unfortunately, the at- serving officers and two ex-officers being present. Though small, the function was carried through with zest and the usual boasts were enthusiastically honoured, a special feature being the despatch of a cable to General Milné, ut London" us follows:-
"Nine officers dining here tonight send greetings old comrades. Those present at the Hongkong dinner were: Commodore Grace, R., Colonel Montague. Bates, C.B., D.S.O, Command, ing the 1st East Surrey Regti, Major RS--Paton, Capt. Meredith, Capt. Bensley, Capt. Lugard, Lies Fredericks, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Brown.
非
CINEMA NOTES.
QUEEN'S THEATRE
A daughter of a rich family is forced to marry her dissolute cousin. The son of her father's gardener becomes sepa
left side of 'chest. "He died a rated from her although they are in Few minutes after he had been carried fortune in the goldfelds and returns too love with each other. He seeks "hig inside. The pier are of the impression fattynical, he still retain the love that the nut has been murdered by an of his youth to buy the family house when assassin hired by a rival guild.
it is offered for sale as a result of the The murdered man is stated to have het Chgaged to the construction of the aristocrat's fortuns having been squan. dered. Enbittered towards life the new ferry boty for the Star Ferry Com daughter grows to see her own child pany-
united in marriage to the son of the man she was thwarted from marrying, An accident, brings to light proof of a debt owing by the deceased gardener to her father With the interest accrued the sum in more, than sufficient to repay the outlay on the house. How the young and old couples, decide to triumph over fate and share what has become their mutual
THE CANTON ARSENAL
PLANT.
According to His Excellency account,
With relerines to the Canton ursenal he was seated in the middle of a long plaat mentioned in our issue yesterday, table, when a small bag, or valise, hurtled Mr. Eugene Chen informs us that there through the window and landed amid a is no truth in the report that the vendors fortune is unfolded in a fitting climax crash of glasses and rockery at one end or their agent are asking as a condition to a well-blended drama. This is the of the table.
for not removing the machinery, for the story of "Maytime," the week-end at The bomb which the lag was after-surance of the Canton General Cham-traction at the Jucco's Theatre, which wards known to centara, did not explode merchants that the balance will be paid day inclusive.
her of Commerce or other responsible presented at all performances till Mon
Ethel Shannon, in the immediately, and someone, uuessing the for within a given time.” terrible nature of the missile, and the
portrayal of the first girl who becomes prosence of mind to shout Couchez-nd been removed from the godown and ter of the unconventional flapper, brings
In point of fact. parts of the plant which matured in years and also as the daugh yous ("Lis down!");
loaded into a Japanese steamor were on ren! pathos, light-hearted comedy and Thursday afternoon unloaded and again sympathetic acting to the characters, stored in the godown. The negotiations he will be remembered for her part mentioned in a previous statement issued in by Mr. Eugene Chen are still in progress although vivacious did not give her the "Daughters of the Rich," which between the Canton authorities and the scope to show the versatility she does in
At once a scramble was made by all the guests to get under, the table, where those, including Ifin Excellency, who had had time to take this precaution were im raedintely deafened by the shattering explosion of the fatal Lag
vendors.
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