1924-03-15 — Page 6

SATURDAY' MARCH 15, 1924

AMONG THE BANDITS.

Work.

How Kidnappers

“KWONG SHUN GANG'S

RETREAT.

Some Interesting. Details.

(By Gai Ming for the China Mall.)

With kidnapping a topic of the day, following the "Kwong Shan" launch piracy, it is topical to recall some of the lesser known aspects

of this evil.

༥

THE CHINA MAIL.

KAI'S TROUBADOURS.

HAWAIIAN ARTISTES AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

· A RECORD YEAR.

A. S. WATSON & CO. MAKE $373,863, PROFIT.

were

A two hour's programme, of

The management and staff of Hawaiian music, either in song or Messrs. A. S. Watson and Co., dance, would pall, and despite its obvious seduction, the average Lt. foreign audience would yawn and express its boredom. Ernest Kaai knows his audience well and

congratulated this morning on the record working of the company last year. At the thirty ninth annual meeting held has wisely selected his program at the Hongkong Hotel, Mr. C. B. to his credit and at the same Brooke, who seconded the adop to his credit and at the same time tion of the report and accounts holds the enthusiasm and attention said that the year 1923 had eclipsed of the audience to the end.

Probably theatre patrons were a liule dubious tast night after their recent disappointment with Hawaaila music for there were several vacant seats in the Theatre Royal.

SERIOUS BLAZE AVERTED.

MOTOR BUS WORKS THREATENED.

CRACKER SHOP FIRE.

BRIGADE'S SMART WORK.

The prompt arrival of the Kow loon Fire Brigade and the speedy work of of the Motor Bus Company saved a firs which broke out at a cricker shop

the company's 1922 record for at 166 Portland Street, Mongkok last night from developing into a excellent result..!

Mr. Henry Humphreys, presid.serious blaze which would have ing said that they appreciated the enveloped and probably gutted the

Gamage.

Three minutes after the call was kind words of Mr. Brooke's and he Motor Bus Company's Works and was sure the staff would greatly. appreciate them.

Besides Mr. Humphreys at the received at 11.10 p.m., the Fire Director's table were Sir Paul Brigade arrived at the burning Chater, Messrs H. P. White, J. factory. The fire had only just

(Secretary.)

There are two large bandit soil is, comparatively, poor and a large percentage of the men strongholds in the Canton delta. One is not far from Kongmoon and emigrate, mostly to Amerien, is known as "Fu Dau San," or They remit their savings to be The invested in the country and with Tiger Crescent Mountains. other is "fai Lung Tung," which the male population reduced, the thear the Shuntak silk district. villages can offer little resistance Judging from the reports by the Protection from the authorities ed very well indeed. The music Scott Harston and J. H. Tarrant started on the ground floor but coolies whom the "Kwong Shun" is less than nominal, hence the

But the new Troubadours dispelled all misgivings and the continual encores that were called showed that they had been receive

instrumental and the inevitable of Hawaii, in vocal solos, trios,

threatened to involve the whole In presenting the annual report: three storeys, the two upper being

bandits released, it appears as if people make an easy mark for the hufa dance filled the first half of The Chairman said: Ipropose lenements. It took scarecly longer the gang must belong to one of outlaws. Those who have made the programme and brought forth with your permission to take the than five minutes for the firemen

these retreats.

Furthermore, if the distances given by the coolies are at all correct, the "Kwong Shun" victims must be near "Fu Dau San," which is marked out bour Office as running through two or three of the Sze Yap dis- tricts and into Heungshan.

Efforts to storm these fast-

When The Manchus Ruled. Since the 1911 Hevolution, the kidnapping evil has been on the increase.

The

talent of the

Jazz Four"

motor

ΤΟ

a condition of space for the spread of the hose trading profit, with

affairs which I think you will agree pipe. Fortunately, the cracker explosive material and though it congratulation. with me is a matter for mutual shop was comparatively empty of was gutted, the flours above were hardly affected. There were no casauities. The Fire Brigade's smart work was commendable,

Kai's are a merry crowd. Every it were. Even if one cures not for member can do something else, as Hawaiian sentiment expressed chiefly at the beginning, the Troubadours' second half is fully worth the money.

measure next is situated

money abroad almost invariably the undoubted

flames from spreading to the and Auditors' Report us read. return home, representing valu- Troubadours. The second part of Report and Statement of Accounts to gain mastery, thus saving the able prizes for the kidnappers. the evening's entertainment wa

I have again the satisfaction of upper floors and across a very This is one reason why Chinese an eloquent proof of the company's presenting you with a record narrow alleyway which divided

the the house

from account and a record dividend.

The employees are gradually settling in America versatility.

(lango) Ed Kinley (traps) and Bob period u er review amounts to at the garage wasted on a chart in the Hongkong Har. while others have bought homes Jimmy Lakila (piano) David KailaThe iner ase of profit for the bus company.

in Hongkong or Macao.

Formidable as the obstacles are, Kaai (saxophone) produced jazz $129,200.34 more than the profit for time when they saw the blaze in there have been campaigns so infectious that the audience was

the previous twelve months. Of the cracker shop for they did not In recent insatiate in its demand for more. the above sum $61,834 has accrued know whether or not there were against "Fu Dau."

ber Instrumental ingles' per- nesses would be of little avail as years one budding general met Ernest Kazi, himself, with a num from the sale of our Shares and explosives on the premises. They the hiding places are impregnable with a measure of success until formed on a miniature tango Stanley Street properties, which quickly moved all the motor buses to all but trained hill-fighters the bandits induced the civil and Queenie Kaili, the heavy but you will observe no longer figure into the roadway out of danger, armed with the most modern population in the vicinity to happy "hula" girl' added further in the accounts. The balance viz.- which facilitated the work of the equipment. Generally, the heights obtain his removal by sending a to the laurels and at the end, the $7.366.34 represents increased firemen and allowed them free

was". shaking of the whole system are somewhat petition to Canton alleging that audience

had committed laughter and reluctant to depart. oval with inter-crossing rangès his troops and spurs running off at tangents excesses, whereas they were the Laylay Haywood's interpretation

You will note that a new pro- The whole encloses an area which exception to the rule and were the of the "Hula" Persuasion, was includes valleys and dales only best-behaved of any that had been graceful and a tonic for the prudes.

Daved Kaili scored his success perty features for the first time in narrow stationed there:

with vocal items.

our accounts, what we call the approachable through

ROAD ABLAZE. passes which can always be

Island site. This, when we have

Another fire at 8.15 this adjacent guarded from the

land we are lin, treaty for, will

morning proved not so serious. some 31 mow. It heights. Secondly, the contour of

acquired the additional piece of

A boiling cauldron of tar on the the whole system is so intricate

to. Messrs.

at Mongkok Shantung Street Butterfield and Swire's pro- that even. if each pass were stormed in turn, the sequel would

perly and has a "considerable had overflowed and set fire to only be skirmishing or guerrilla

water frontage, the depth of water the road surface. For five minutes at low tide being sufficient to Boat or so, it was a strange sight to see warfare from one height to

coasting steamers. The intention the road burning, Chemicals used another with the attacking force's flanks exposed and possibly the

Liverpool, March 14.-In the is to remove our existing Aerated by the Kowloon Fire Brigade Attempts at rear threatened. conquest by a grand siege would

Waterloo Cup Final, Cushey Job Water Factory on the Shameen to extinguished the are. "be futile as dotted here and there

beat Whitechapel. The betting this site. We originally intended Shameen and with that end in inside the hills are villages, the

was 3 to 1 against the winner.to build a new factory on the view, we purchased Shameen Lot inhabitants of which are semi-

Reuter.

Na 82 for $45,000, but the

"What do you mean? A man bandits who sell their crops to

Canton of our The following appointments are expansion

of-over eighty, you send me to has- been the outlaws. It is estimated that

such

prison" shouted defendant the place can be self-supporting if not torture, beconies the rule.announced in the current issue of business for a year and there is no secret Exposure in the mountain dens the Government Gazette Dr. J. B that we are convinced that the about the stocks of-ammunition has so weakened men used to Addison M.B.E to be Principal Shameen Lot will be too small for before Mr. E. W. Hamilton this hoarded there. Gossip says that luxury that they have died as Civil Medical Officer; Mr. R. E. our requirements. No harm has been morning, when the interpreter ex- Defendant had been arrested on the possibilities of an attack by the result of their privations even Lindeell to act as Police Magis done however as property on the plained the sentence. air have presented themselves to when released after a short term rate; Mr..J. M. Breen to be Post- Shameen has appreciated since we the Praya with a Tittle illicit opium in his possession and His the bandits as one well-known of captivity. Those of the poorer master General; Lance Sergt. H. B. bought and in the meantime chief is supposed to have been in classes are treated in the most Phillips to be a Sanitary Inspector pending the construction of a new Worship ordered a fine of $42 or

for Stanley.

factory on Honam Island-our Shameen lot more than pays for itself. saving

it does much momey in godown and fire insurance. of the passengers taken on the rent

commence building Kwong Shun." Hongkong has We shall no communes to fall back upon operations on the new factory as

Macao a few years ago trying to open up avenues for the purchase of aeroplanes and the training of pilots.

Not Robin Hoods.

When the Manchus ruled, women were never taken away as the bandits anticipated their relatives would not pay ransom for them. That is entirely of changed

now. Stories inxurious treatment of wealthy captives have been found to be exaggerated. When there is a chance of a big sum, the victim might get a few delicacies. and also better treatment, but if pay- ment is not forthcoming quickly, rations are reduced, and beating."

brutal manner. No matter how ready the victim's people be to pay up, a certain time must elapse before he is liberated. The bar gaining and the preliminaries Including irregulars-those who before payment must be made and party a third make trips away from the hills to with

takes considerable don, the soldier's uniform as occa invariably

The methods of extor- sion warrants and others who are time.

as

WHAT HE MEANT.

a month in jail. When defendant shopted out, the Magistrate re- plied "Yes, an old man of eighty should know better than to break the law,"

The Wah Tsa Yat Po, men-

and the earlier methods would be soon as we have acquired the considered "harsh to-day. How- piece of extra land already alluded agriculturists by profession but tion from a captive's people, ever, an organised attack by to, and plans and tenders are tions a Chinese steamship company are ready to join the outlaws are as old as the hills. Lurid Southern braves with machine. approved. They will entail the is about to erect several wharves guns, mountain artillery and expenditure of not less than three and build a number of steamers when opportunity occurs the descriptions of terrorism illus bombs instead of Northernery lakhs, possibly more, and we there to be put on the Hongkong, Canton

fore propose as from 1st November Macro and Wuchow trade. bandits in Tu Dau" are said to trate the unlucky victim's letters, with swords, might have the next to increase the Capital of the Company from $900,000 to number about three thousand. written at the bandits' behest, desired effect.

Bandit Slang.

$1,200,000 by the issuo of There is no big chief like Sun and if these are not convincing,

in the Mei-yao, of Lincheng; but there an ear or a finger will find its way

Special slang terms are used 30,000 shares at, par

proportion of one new share covers a period, from start to are seven or eight main divisions to his home. Some of the third each ruled by an autocrat. Each parties' who receive payments on among the Cantonese bandits, the for three old. In view of the high finish, of several months. chief must have sufficient capital behalf of the bandits, protest best-known of which is "Sum." price at which our shares now I have no further remarks to to finance his enterprises, tide their innocence. They state that This word is usually written as stand (a price which in my opinion make, Gentlemen, and now pro- over dull times and purchase proximity to the dens renders it the character for ginseng, a very is quite justified), this issue of new pose that the Report artd Statement munitions for his underlings. imperative that they should obey valuable plant (or root) which shares at par may be regarded in of Accounts as presented be. More important than shrewdness, and there is no alternative because grows wild and is appreciated by the light of a special bonus. passed. When the motion is duly the Chinese for supposedly Notice will be given in due course seconded, I shall be pleased to personal bravery, ability to lead of lack of protection.

Effective, if harsh, were the restorative purposes, but has of an Extraordinary General Meet-answer any questions shareholders and quickness with firearms are

noing to pass the necessary resolu-) may have to ask.

The re-election of Sir Paut. tion, a genial disposition and readi-measures taken by one Manchu been found to have little or

I trust the appropriations to Chater, Mr. J. Scott Harston and Bess to advance a few dollars viceroy when the kidnapping evil medicinal value. Captives are to a comrade, and ability to in Kwangtung was in its infancy, described as "Sum" and the tak-Reserve Fund, Staff Provident Mr. H. P. White as Directors was retain the goodwill of neigh- He posted notices that ransom ing of them for ransom is Fund and Chinese Stad Superan carried by a resolution proposed bouring

chiefs and villagers. should not be paid under any described as "Lai Sum," the first nuation Fund meet with your by the Chairman and seconded by

Gin-approval. As regards the Staff Mr. J. M. Alves: Claims to Robin Hood glamour in circumstances and, threatened all word conveying "arrest."

Messrs. C. Bernard Brown and "robbing the rich to relieve the the elders and men of scholarly seng is imported into China from Provident Fund, only those who poor"a popular epithet in titles in the victim's commune or America, Korea and other places, have been subscribers one year or H. Greenwood were re-elected Chinese outlawry-are generally village, with confiscation of all the a moderate quality, costing as more prior to October 31, 1923, will auditors for the ensuing year at a fee of $750. Mr. D. E. Clark pro- resolution and Mr. fictitious, as has been demons-ancestral and personal posses- much as $80 or $40 a pound. participate in the allocation.

This When talking of the means of The Auditors Lave, subject to posed the trated in wholesale captures from sions if they disobeyed.

The Chairman announced that trains, villages and junks when involved the sacrifice of the lives various victims, bandits generally your confirmation, been granted. G. A. Lawrence seconded.

28 "native" an increased remuneration of $300. even the poorest prize has had to of the first few batches of those describe them find $20 or so to effect his release. kidnapped but as no ransoms were "Korean," or "American" accord-per annum between them. Our dividend warrants would be ready

forthcoming, there were no more ing to the amount, likely to be Audit is a very long affair, and on Monday. kidnapping crimes for some time. forthcoming in ransom.

Esprit de Corps. Esprit de corps. does exist to the extent of Joining hands in big ventures when each gang takes a chance by dividing the captives

Braves From The North, Another provincial ruler devis ed the plan of calling upon a clan

When a raid, is planned upon a house or village, the most-experi- enced undertake the duties of look-outs and scouts and these are reached and before inquiries have belonged to their particular com called "Bah Fung" which means been instituted as to their victims' mune. In those days it was im-watch the wind."-- wealth. Each person taken is perative for a bandit to return Pardon, followed by enlistment. usually assessed by his clothing, to his native village at one time into service, of bandite, is not the amount of money and jewel or another and this home-sickness uncommon. Viceroys in the Man- lery and the toughness of his usually led to capture. A certain chu regime have been known to hands or feet. Batches are period was allowed with dire give a pardon and rank to bandit! separated into classes and the penalties for non-capture once it leaders, and then to decapitate gangs take an equal number of was established that a notorious them when they have been enticed. each. Sentries are provided by bandit came from a certain clan. from the hills. There were a the different bands to guard the This had the effect of restraining number who, however, rendered approaches to their territory but most of the bad characters for good service after reforming. in the event of an attack on a fear of involving their innocent Lau Yea, or "Black Lau," re- A morenowned for his resistance against large scale, they defend the place brethren and kinsfolk.

as soon as the stronghold is to deliver up bandit leaders who

as a whole and assist one another, practical method was started by the French on the Indo-China Nevertheless, more than one a Manchu military officer who border and the Japanese in For bandit has met his fate through imported a regiment of braves mosa, was a typical example. the jealousy of a member of from the North to fight the Some of the most widely known another gang

bandita. They went out with long military commanders in recent swords in the shape of Bythes Kwangtung and Kwangsi history and, did very well till the advent are also alleged to have been of firearms bandit leaders before they entered

It is not every Cantonese who appreciates why the four districts near Kongmoon, known as the See Yaps should form the happy Unfortunately none of these politics in the early days of the busting ground of bandits. The measures can be copied in respect (Revolutión, con

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