1923-06-26 — Page 9

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 1928

SHIPPING PROFITS.

COLONIAL SECRÉTARY'S.

STATEMENT.

MR. ERIC MOLLER'S REPLY.

fiteered.

We were requested to consider our vessels as bound down under the terms of such charter-party, but no signature was ever forth coming or attached to such charter party, to show with whom we ware dealing; and so it remains even so to this day, leaving it a binding document.cr me, but with no one named on the other side to shoulder the responsibility of the comman doering of our vessels, to which we

earnestly protested,...

cast.

THE CHINA MAIL.

1

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division of the Control-Scheme Profits, upon a basis of 50 per cent. to the Government of Hongkong, and 50 per cent, to the ship owners. This scheme was condemned concerned.

THE MAD MULLAH.

NEVER SEEN BY AN. ENGLISHMAN.

NOTICE TO SHIPPEY

PASSENGERS,

(Continued from Paga 7")

BOSTON

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NY.K. Graca Mare

Hamburg Hart. Westli Stuart Döllar- Bob at Dollar: Telemachte

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$7.-D. L- Virginis Dollar.

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BOUTH AFRICAN PORTS. DURBAN AND CAPETOWN,

Roattle Marai

BARCELONA & VALENCIA.

1-HAL

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alike similar to vessels of the Indo-ships, the resulting loss would, at kong to make use of them as they Mr. Fletcher's absence, it, Home,I will call it not "British," not tured nor killed in battle, but died July &-LT

Government.

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Colony, such as providing hotel and cannot forget the interview, that housing accommodation for the both Mr. Wilkinson and myself Colony and also extending facili-attended up at his office in the ties for education among various Colonial Secretariat Building. The classes of the community. They meeting, at which the inadvisabili

no reason why the ty of both parties carry and thrown out, by the unofficial

In "The Mad Mullah of Somali- saw

should be devoted on with the legal proceedings,

us, members of the Legislative Council and (Herbert Jonking, 106.) Mr. Jena 15.-P. L- money' to those, purposes, but thought that already instituted by

come was brought up where it of Hongkong, all Citizens of the Douglas Jarding, who was Booro July, should- money the

tary to the Administration, Somali Everyone here" in "Shanghai la The following 'correspondence

back into their own, pockets. I was pointed out to us, the fatility Colony of Hongkong. must leave the community of this of incurring huge mutual legal was published in the N. C. Daily

Colony to judge which is the better obligations! and where it was sug aware that one of my parents was land, 1916-21; has written a valu- News of the 22nd inst.:-

way of disposing of profits, which gested, that in view of the early not of British nationality. But my able and entertaining account of a Sir, Some time has now passed

I would remind Mr. A. G. M. would have gone at Home into the departure for Home of Mr. A. G. M, mother taught me to love the coun- "little war" which lasted on and off Since the publication of my speech Fletcher of the following three Imperial Exchequer. The Govern Fletcher, we should leave all pro-try of her birth; taught me to stand for 21 years, from 1899, and eventu surrounding the enforced liquida-

Soyyid Mohammed's vendetta Aug. tion of my Shanghai office, and statements made by the "Attorney-ment in view of the action taken ceedings in abeyance until his by it in its distress and to give ally, in 1920, was brought to s naturally as anticipated it caused General in September, 1921, in in- which may in time come before the return, and that in the interim an what help I could when need victorious finish in 21 days.

that unshakable pillar, known as with the British Empire was partly considerable comment both here troducing the Bill at its first reading courts, do not feel in a position to adjustment might possibly take ed; taught me to lock, up to

before the Legislative Council: spend any of those profits on the place.

There is no object for me to British Justice": taught me to political, partly religious, Claim and at the port of Hongkong.

A-I would also like to remind proposals until the courts have final- Recent publications have ap the shipowners concerned that the ly dealt with the matter. Therefore make any untrue statements, as no know of that great British prideing suzerainty over all Somali tribes, peared in the local press of extracts Government, in carrying out this the Colony has been deprived of possible good would ever result, "Fair-play and a fair deal:" taught lie resented certain tribes placing (VIA MIRGATORY, Buards ATERS, BA, from Hongkong papers, and I have also before me several cuttings at shipping-scheme, accepted the what it urgently needshotel ac therefrom, nor do I desire to as me to know thaf "Might is not thomselves under British protection. JanɣIRG, SANTOS AND MAURITIUMY my disposal, from which I find that war-risks on these ships. That risk, commodation and money which socisto myself with any such right;" taught me not to be afraid Aud bu persuaded himself that alsZIRA SA the Colonial Secretary, the Hon. it happened, was not serious, but may have been advanced for the means to attain my ends. And, I when a great Injustice has been allegiance to a non-Mohamedan the possibility of a raider finding purpose of building houses when will again state that the result of done to me and therefore those Power, was a definite barrier to the Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, has seen fit its way into these waters was not the scheme of building flats was this interview was the means of the who are responsible for the in-religious progress of his fellow-July 7.-H. L

legal proceedings being held up justice perpetrated upon me, for the countrymen." to remark to the Press that many of an imposible one. There was also given up.

This is Dervishism, which bas my statements are untrue, to wit: the danger of explosions amongst

"The University has also to be and such facts are in written appropriation of funds that could

not otherwise have come rightly ruined Somaliland and its inhabit-{ That my vessels were not prothe cargoes, explosions engineer- j deprived of a quarter of a million existence in Hongkong torday.

At that interview there was no into their hands, must understand

ants. enemy agents in the dollars and education generally of

whisper, intention, or warning that I will bring this great injustice No misfortune ever brake his Aug. 17-E. 4. That the money was not or hased by

The Government took a sum of five lakhs of dollars."..

I would also remind Mr. A. G. M. placed before Mr. Williamson cr into the sunlight, when I have been not been used for the benefit of the

the risk of any damage 'due Colony of Hongkong.

extremely favourable terms of peaceoph 30-E. A fo any operations of war. If a Fletcher of his own personal state-myself that an Ordinance and the barred by all other lawful means of epirit, and he always scoffed at the

that were offered him. That the Hongkong Government raider had appeared in these ment to me, that the funds were in Eventual Indemnity Act of 1922, having a fair hearing.

And, who will blame me, when

Jo the end he was neitlier cap. BRINDISI, VENICE & TRIESTE was simply acting as agents.

That my steamers were treated waters and had sunk even half the the hands of the Colony of Hong-would be set into operation during

but such really was the case, and it Fairplay" nor "Justice" when the ignominiously of influenza Does the above, coupled with came into operation and full force profits (the results of years of my November 23, 1920, a fugitive in July x-G. I Chira B.6. Co. and the China Atime of very high value of shipp-liked.

Abyssinian territory. Navigation Co., and other Britishing, have been most crippling. It

was a risk contemplated with con Mr. Fletcher's present statement shortly after his return to the untiring work) accumulated under an unjustifiable control-scheme, requisitioned vessels.

The coincidence and the con- shall at the expense and distress An odd fact concerning the Mul- And, finally closes with the siderable anxiety at the time by the that the funds may be used for Colony. voluntary information that the Government, and if the loss had some shipping purpose, justify the amounts secured through the ran occurred it would have been a most rebuke that my assertions are un- nection were remarkable, and still of one single modest Shanghai lab is that although his biographer ing of our vessels, are considered severe one for the Colony, from true? It is quite possible that the even in face of this, I still belleve shipowner, and through means, lived for years in the Somali coun as a liability by the Hongkong which it would not have recovered position might have been different and contend that Mr. Fletcher was over which he has no control, gotry, he never saw him; "and, in

Are we then, to in the very first instance, but, at that meeting, acting in entire into the coffers of the Hongkong deed," Mr. Jardins declares, since, Joze 17-P. &0. for a long time.

siderably altered later on to permit the same the subsequent inaugura quirements, comforts, and other saw him." The "portrait" which July I am not desirous of exciting fur-get nothing in return for the risk surely this must have been con- good faith towards us, but that all Government, to satisfy the re- his rise in 1809 no Englishman ever tion of the Indemnity Act of 1922, improvements of the Colony of, Mr. Jardine supplies is apparently ther public sympathy, but I am de- the Culony as a whole took ?" termined that I shall not allow my known that we did, at one time,

B.-"It may not be generally of the remarks as related above.

My vessels taken under the same started almost inmediately after Hongkong, when no such appros of the composite order, since it is worldly possessions to be appro priated by an illegal and unjustifi-offer the Imperial Government the conditions as those of the China wards with a view to block our priation is made on the profits of, "based on various intelligence to Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, the The Mad Mullah is described as able scheme without disclosing the whole of the collections from this Navigation and Indo-China Com clalin and crump our legal proceed such gigantic concerns, as the ports.

Both Mr. Williamson and myself, Hongkong and Whampoa Dock being about Gft. tall, and be wa fact, nor am I prepared to permit requisition scheme, if they would panics and others. I cannot findings,

accept the risk and the Imperial myself able to at all agree on this anyone to call me down, publicly, cement refused to do so. We, point, My simple contention is, cur took the guidance of Mr. Fletcher Co., the Union Insurance Co., and, seated on the ground, not Tur- Aug. 1.-B.F.

kish-wise as might be expected, by stating that many of the facts therefore, had to carry it through vessels were taken away from us, at the interview-in entire good faith many other countless profitable

for the simple purpose of making and acted upon same by suspend- institutions, which are the pillars but, owing to his corpulence, in my speech were untrue,

Quite apart from the controversy

C."We made for this Colony money out of them, and this, I con- ing our legal proceedings forthwith. of, and situated in the very heart

Present Liability of the Colony of that Colony. now on, I have the greatest respect

of Hongkong for the $2,231,2014,--|

I am, ctc., for Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher. His fair during the War, certain contri-tend, was done in an illegal man- action in dealing with many, and butions to the Imperial Govern-ner, totally unsupported by any

under the local Hongkong Govern-

ERIC MOLLER: varied shipping problems, in which ment for the carrying on of the Regulation or Ordinance, and there The sum of $2,231,204 appropriated

Shanghai, June 20th, 1923. It does not concern me, nor do I ment Control scheme is now put we were brought together during War. We sent Home out of the the position with me, onds.

Sir, In your issue of the 21st which was generally beloved by the course ofthe War are not forget ordinary revenue over five mil- ten by me, nor am I forgetful of his lions; and out of special rates know upon what terms the vessels down as one of the Colony's

instant you quote from "The South the Somalis to have brought about, Can Mr. Fletcher satisfy me that China Morning Post" a letter written his insanity." Mr., Jardine's con- "cursed by a genuine sympathy extended to me imposed for War Purposes over of the China Navigation Co. and the liabilities. over my very unfortunate position, two millions. We also raised a Indo-China Co. were requisitioned, and his unbounded approval and loan of three millions and sent but I do know that these two gig this was the case, when Sir Claud by one of the shipowners who clusion is that he was sanction given to a proposal, so late that to the Imperial Government, antic concems, both with enor Severn made his speech in January, suffered and I would like to make madness akin to genius.

The cash payments have gone; mous reserves behind them, each 1920, above referred to, when he as June last year, whereby an at the loan remains and what it is had a representative on the Hong- went into the details of what they one point quite clear. tempt was made to settle the pre-

Can Mr. Fletcher satisfy me on sent claims and disputes, by a 50 proposed to do with the money kong Control Shipping Board were going to do with the money. collected by the Government (a privilege which the com- per cent division between the

"B" and Hongkong, and the under the requisitioning is to place bination of smaller shipowners was this, in face of the remarks" A," "C" quoted by the Colony of Sipowners concerned, of the ap it in a fund for the redemption of not allowed), and that each of the Attorney-General, when the first

companies were permitted to keep propriated profits now retained in that War Loan."

I would remind Mr. A. G. M. open, and run a certain amount of Reading of the Indemnity Act was the hands of the Colony. I now

The most amusing feature of this a certain notice of Requisition and again repeat and stand by the M. Fletcher of that memorable their vessels on their standard introduced in September, 1921,

And lastly, can Mr. Fletcher is that while the Hongkong Gov- Control dated March 13th, 1918, whole of the contents of my speech; speech of Sir Claud Severn, before coastlines right through the whole (also above referred to)? and I further set out definite, the Legislative Council in January, of the war and the height of the

boom in shipping freights. I quite satisfy me, that the was the case, ernment were apparently carrying and headed "Colonial Secretary's facts," as a reply to Mr. Fletcher's 1920, to wit:

With regard to the European recognize the reasonableness of as late as June, last year, when to such war risk, they kept the secret Office, Hongkong" he will see that Juip 1.-B. F. contention that some of my state Community. I will deal first with the this decision at the same time it me personally, he gave his un- so well that shipowners were not it was signed by the Honourable

proposal I laid down before the permitted the opportunity of at bounded sanction and approval to informed that war risk was covered Claude Severn and stated that the Aug. 1.-B. F.

Government Governor of Hongkong etc., etc.

Under this document, how does Profiteering again repeat, Council for building a hotel and least making good on a part of the scheme, which went eventually and I defy any "That my steamers were never flats in Kowloon. We had money their vessels, a fact I do not at all before the official members of the servant in Hongkong to produce

Hongkong Legislative Council, alt any document showing that the he make out that the actual requisi- used, nor intended to be used for for the work, or thought we had, regret.

That my statement "That the Citizens of the Colony of Hong owners of the str. "Wollowra" were tion was carried out by the Naval June 9.-P. & 0. war purposes, or in aid and defen-when the owners of the vessels re-

I am, etc., ce of the colony of Hongkong, or quisitioned under the Local Scheme Colonial Secretary at Hongkong kong, whereby it was proposed by notified that the boat was covered Gommodore, in any connection therewith; and,bethought themselves that there obtain a stay of legal proceedings, him, with, I was told, the sanction for a specific sum under a Gov- who can vouch for this better than was no reason why the profits made and later the Government protect of the then Acting Governor,ernment war risk policy or any as the Honourable Mr. A. G. M. myself, when as Mr. Fletcher does by this scheme should be devoted ed itself by Ordinance," is untrue. that the protracted discussions. other war risk policy. Further know, every fixture of my vessels to improvements beneficial to the Surely Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher should be settled amicably by a during the whole period that my vessels were under the Hongkong Control Scheme, were entered into, signed for, and the freights collect- ed from the Chinese charterers and handed over the Colonial Govern ment by my own firm. We were brought into direct contact with the Chinese charterers and they were the ordinary Chinese merchants doing trade this coast, and the fixtures were the usual coastal charters that were fixed before the War, have again been fixed after the War, and will continue to be fixed for all time.

‚ments were untrue:

The whole of the profits earned by these fixtures were enormous, and in every instance the whole of the surplus of such freights were handed over and paid to the local Hongkong Control Scheme, but in each instance under a written protest from ourselves.

As stated in my speech, I do maintain that the appropriation of these funds was illegal and un- justifiable, as such act was not warranted by any Act of Parlia ment, Ordinance, Order-in- Council, Royal Perogative, or other lawful authority; and, that it did eventually necessitate the Hong- kong Government to call to their ald, the effective and sure step of the Indemnity Ordinance of 1922, to see them safely through. The Profiteering figures mentioned by me in my speech, were gathered through the medium of my, firm acting as collectore and agents for: the Hongkong Control Scheme, and are substantially, correct..

At no time were we brought into touch or connection with the Ad- miralty, the Commodore of Hong- kong, or anyone responsible for: the genuine requisition of British vessels necessary for war pur- poses, or for the defence and aid of the Colony of Hongkong. A Claim as acting as Agents for Home Government. I am not at all desirous of passing any com ment whatsoever on this point, I am not entitled to. But, the simple facts as they were repre=" sensed to us, were that we were requested to place oair ships at the disposal of the Hongkong Govern ment by communication direct from the focal authorities, and later on were guided by a certain forin of charter party, to wit T.gg form::

on our own."

* 53°

PROHIBITED

ANCHORAGE

WHARE

STONECUTTERS ISLAND

СФАЛАКЛИЕ

ANCHORAGE

BANGEROUS COODS

"ANCHORADZ

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CÓSMOPOLITAN

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DAY #

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SHELTER

HONGKONG HARBOUR SHOWING MOORING BUOY

Under Paragraphs "A" and "B," }

with his legs extended straight in front of him.

On the top of his head was the scar, į caused by an operation performed

1.-N.Y.E 7.-B. F. 8.-F. &0.

1.-E. A

#0-B..F.

38.-P. & U. $8.-P. & 0. 37EA

on him in the days of his youth, Sept. 1.-B.

the Attorney General laboured the Fletcher is still trailing the red point as to the risk the Hongkong herring re Imperial Government Goverment took and tried to get and the Naval Commodore, etc., the Imperial Government to take being responsible-may I remind over in accepting the war risk on him that this also was a Govern

Iment secret and if he will look up the steamers.

MAN

KAULUND

NUNGHOM)

4B, F. 7.-P. & 0. 21.-P. & 0. 31.-E. A

Oct. 8 P&O

10 E A

· 18-P & 17 Nov, 16.EANS

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Donabl Australien. Mantos. Afrika Karmala, Obilo

GIBRALTAR.

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22.-P. 40. Sept. 7-P&O. Oct. 8.-P. & 0. -19.-P.&O.

July 11.-P. 20. Aug. 8.&O.

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* HAVRE.

19.-B. F.

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LONDON.

Delta.

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City of Corinthi

C. R. BURKILL. SHANGHAI, June 12, 1923.

July-G. L

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*

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Aug. 1.N.Y.R.

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8-0. 13. B. F. 20-B, F. 26.-P. & 0. 17.-3. F. Sept.-H. F.

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July 3-E. A

Aug. 17-EA

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ANCHORAGE

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MAN OF WAN.

CAUSEWAY

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July

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July 1-B

Aug: 11-3.0.3,13

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