:
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, OCTOBER 15тя, 1891.
TRE TRIAL OF MASON.
The trial of Charles Henry Allen Welch Mason on a charge that he did on or about the 13th September have in his possession or under his control five pounds weight or thereabouts of an explosive subst nce under such circum- stauoss as to give reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object," was continued at the British Police Court at Shanghai on the 10th inst.
The first witness called was William Oswald, who deposed.—I am a British subject, and a sea- mau. My last ship was the steamship Nam Yang. I left her without being discharged through having lost my passage at Hongkong. In the beginning of last month I was in Hongkong. 1 know the last witness Toussiant. I met him accidentally in the street in Hongkong. We had a general conversation for several minutes, and 1 told him of my circumstances about having lost my ship. He said he could offer me a job. £ asked him what it was and he s id it was a jub in the Customs. I was to get nothing less than $100. I think that would be the first Friday of the mouth. I think I have seen accused be- fore in Queen's Road, Hongkong, where Tous- siant introduced me to him. It was in a gonsmith's shop, I think, in Queen's Road. There wero arms banging all round the shop. I was simply introduced to accused and I wAS in his company for about ten minutes. No names were mentioned, neither mine nor accused's, so it scarcely amounted to an introduction. If I met Toussiant on Friday, it would be Sunday the 6th that I was introduced to aocused. I came up from Hongkong in the Amoy with Toussiant. I was not in the gunsmith's the day the ship left.
Accused declined to question witness.
The next witness called was Karl Hermann August Kacker, who deposed-i am a German subject and a second-class tidewaiter in the I M. U. at Shanghai. Iremember Saturday, Sept. 12th Just. I was on board the Chiquen that day, having been instructed to search the vessel. I was in a Customs steam-launch, met the vessel in the river, followed her up and went on board as soon as she dropped suchor. I told something to the mustor. It was about 3 g'olook in the moraing when I began to search. I had four additional men searching, and I was in charge of the party. Anyone interested could he that it was a special srl, for there were ore than the ordinary number of ma on loard. I saw accused that day, the first time was in the 'tween deck of the Chiyuen. This was about 9 o'clock in the morning. I had at that time, I think, detained Boven packages. Mr. Mason asked me who was in charge of the party and I told him that I Was. He told me that he had come up in the vessel from Hongkong and gavo me to under- stand that he was a member of the Cus- toms. I had not known him bafore and hel did not tell me who he was. He told me to be cautious and riot raise any suspicion. T took this as a command, and I told him that there were some cases stopped, and told him the marks, and accused told me these were the cases. I told Mr. Mason it was an unusual thing for so many men to come aboard at one time and that the Chinese must know there was something going on. I said I would do what was in my power, but I could not help notice being taken of what was going on. I mentionel the mark "G & Co. in a triangle," and be said those wore the cases. I am not quite sure that Mr. Mason
told me whether there were 35 cases or not. but I think he did. I took it that Mr. Masou was assisting me and that he bad come up for that purpose. He mentioned to me that he had an interview with Mr. MeLeary Brown in Hongkong, but I did not understand him very clearly, because he did not tell me whe- thor he was an indoor man or outdoor. I was called again in about three-quarters of an hour. The chief officer came and told me Mr. Mason Wanted to see me.
I went and saw him. He told me that he intended to go on shore after
breakfast
Breakfast, at least shortly, and see Mr. Bredon About these cases, as it was most likely they would go on to Chinkiang, as they were not for hore, or words to that affect. That was the lust I saw of Mr. Mason. I stopped 35 cases alto. gother, all marked " G. & Co.”in a triangle, and numbered from 1 to 35. I saw some of the cases opened in the Customs Godown at Kin- les-ynen. I think I saw about three or four of different sizes opened, containing car- tridges. Bayonets, revolvera. rifles, and leather pouches with bolts. I did not assist in counting them, but I saw they wore the same casos I de. tained on board the Chiyuon.
Theodore Moorhead-I am an American citizen and chief tidosurveyor of the I. M. C. at Shanghai. I remember Saturday, 12th Septem- ber last. I was on board the Chiyuon that day on several occasi ns. I first went on board af nine o'clock in the morning when the ship wAN alongside the Kiu-loo-yuen wharf. Mr. Kacker showed me several packages he had detained. They were marked G. & Co., and matted and rattaned after the natal manner of Can- too cargo. There were no Chinese marks on them. Altogether we seized 35 packages. I was present when they were examined This took place in the godown which is used for an examination place on Kin-lee-yuen whart. The examination took place about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the same day. When the ontside matting rattans were off, wooden cases were disclosed, marked with the contents, with the exception of three cases, safety cart- ridge, explosive ammonition, metallic cartridges, aud Winchester carbines. I took the outer covering off every case except four. After the eovers were taken off there were forty cases. that is there were five double cases wrapped up in the same matting. The summary of the arms is-100 Winchester rifles, 20 Martini- Beari rifles, 128 revolvers, 206 hayonets, 123 revolver cases, 130 belts, 130 pouches, 12 hat- chets, 62,850 cartridges. When I first openel them I found some of these muaitions in each of the cases.
fle
John Lloyd McDowall-I am a British sub- ject in the employ of the I.M.C. at Chinkiang. I have had charge of the postal department for upwards of a year. I know the accused. asked me once to keep a letter marked "X" fo him and forward it to him so that no one would know about it. On three or four occasiona be enquired for such a letter but it never arrived. He came shortly aftor and told me that owing to the death of a resident, Mr. Jerdein, the letter was not expected. I think it was in August that Mr. Jerdein died, and it was before that event that Mr. Mason spoke to me about the letter.
James Stewart O'Neil-I am a British sub- jest employed by the I.M.C. and have been stationed at Chiukiang for about 12 months. I am a tidewaiter. I know the accused Mr. Mason and have known him since I have been in Chin- kiang. I never had any conversation with Mr. Mason about his plans nor did anybody else ever bring a message to me from Mr. Mason, I only knew by ramour that Mr. Mason was going on sick-leave, but I did not know where he was going. With reference to what Mason wrote in the plau, I had not arrange with him to go ou board any ship, and I do not know what he wrote referred to. There is another O'Neal in the Customs, but he is at Hankow, I never did anything to justify Mr. Mason in giving that orde about me.
William Henry Schultz-1 am a naturalized American citizen, and a salt-searober at Chin- kinng in the Taotai's service. I ba o been stationed in Chinking about a year and a half. and no other one of the name that I ku w has i been stationed there. I have a knowledge of accused ever since I have been in Chinkiang, but I never had any conversation with him about his plans. He never asked me to join his plans nor did anybody else do so, acting in his name. I had made no arrangements to go on board any ship, and I have neither done nor said anything to make Mason believe I would go on board.
Charles Henry Morris-I am a British sub- ject and a tide waiter in the I. M. C. at Chin- kiang. I have known the accused nearly two years and seven months. I have been on good terms with him. He ones broached the subject of some schemes he had to me, but I took little notice of what he said. He asked me if I thought a few resolute men could take the forts at Silver Island. He asked it casually as if
merely
36