1927-07-21 — Page 1

Cont considered ESSEX gives the atmost in trans- pertation value. By all means learn the facts. Ask ESSEX owners. Take a ride, Nota its smooth How performance, not surpassed by any car. simply it handles. How luxurious Its riding ease, Then think of its price. And consider that two of every three buyers of ESSEX cars come to it from those who formerly owned cars whose only appeal. is low cost. Surely you cannot be satisfied with less than ESSEX offers,

Touring.......G$1,150

Conch......G$1,150

Sedan (4 Door) ..G$1,250

Including complete special equipment.

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

39. Wong Nei Chung Rand, Happy Valley.

The

China Mail

· SENSATIONAL PIRACY.

No. 25,618

Norwegian Ship Taken To Bias Bay.

CAPTAIN & SECOND OFFICER SHOT.

Gold Bars and Loot Valued at $23,000.

COMPRADORE AND PASSENGERS HELD.

Chief Officer's Account of Outrage.

ESTABLISHAD

1845

HONG KONG, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1927.

BIG EXPLOSIONS.

Fierce Fire Caused Near Nanking.

AMMUNITION ABLAZE.

Anti-Borodia Posters in Hankow.

Nanking, July 19. An explosion, probably caused by oil or benzine, occurred at 8 p.m. in the vicinity of the rail- way pontoon on the Nanking side of the river,

A fierce fire followed, and there were four subsequent explosions

munition.

FERDINAND'S END.

Royal Family At Bedside.

PAINLESS PASSING.

King Michael I. Proclaimed And Ovated.

Bucharest, July 20. * The death is announced of King Ferdinand,

The Council of Regency has entered upon its functions. Reuter,

Loss Fully Expected.

Bucharest, July 20.- Ever since Queen Marie cur- talled her American tour in res

to A summons from Bucharest on account of the

The fire is still burning-ponse British Naval Wireless.

Blus Bay was the scene of another piracy outrage yesterday when, 120 miles south of Hong Kong the Norwegian steamer "Solvi-these being apparently am- ken" was attacked by Chinese and taken to the famous rendezvous.

Both the master. Capt. R. Gentoft, and the second officer, D. Johnsen, were shot by the pirates. They are now in the French Hospital. The captain is in a serious condition, suffering from two wounds in the lower part of the body, hielow the heart. He has lost a lot of blood but can speak. Mr. Johnsen was shot twice in the arm, and when seen in hospital this morning, despite having been on duty 24 hours after the outrage, was cheerful,

Loot captured. from the ship totals about $23,000, and includes two cases of gold bars, silks, threads, etc., as well as passengers belongings. The only thing taken from the officers' quarters was the captain's gramophone. The pirates left the records.

Eight Chinese, including the compradore, were taken prisoners and kept at Bias Bay,

This is the first time for a number of years that an ocean-going steamer has carried pirates aboard who must have embarked at Hong Kong. The "Solviken" was on her way from the Colony to Saigon and had called at no port in the time between leaving here and the

attack.

The gold specie was no doubt meant as payment for a cargo of rice which was to have been brought back to Hong Kong.

LEFT HONG KONG ON TUESDAY..

The first news of the piracy to reach Hong Kong was a wireless despatched from the pirated ship when she was released at Bias Bay this morning. The message stated that the ship had been pir- ated 130 miles S.W. by S. of Gap Rock at 5 am. on Wednesday after having left Hong Kong at 8 am. on Tuesday. The Captain and Chief Officer were badly wounded, stated the message, and would be required to proceed to hospital at once. The vessel had been diverted from her course to Saigon, brought back past Gap Rock and taken to Bias Bay where the loot had been removed, pas-· sengers and the chief compradore taken as hostages, the pirates had left and the ship allowed to pro- ceed to Hong Kong at 5 am.

The "Solviken," which is a 2,398 tons (gross) ship and the agents for which in Hong Kong are the Fau Yuen Hong firm of 21. Bon; ham Strand, West, (owners, Wallen and Co., of Bergen, Nor- way), arrived in Hong Kong this morning and anchored off Stone- cutters.

.

|

apparently covering the approach of the other. Mr. Johnsen was then overpowered.

Continuing with his story, the Chief Officer said that the Captain and the 2nd Engineer were taken to the Captain's cabin, where the pirates allowed the other officers to dress their wounds after which the Chief Officer was taken back to the bridge and told to steer a course for Bias Bay. directions were given through the medium of the leader of the gang who had a good command of Eng- lish.

Threat to Kill.

All the

[A Hankow message dated yes- terday reports that the explosion occurred at Haiakwan.]

Gallen Holding Meetings,

Hankow, July 20. Anti-Borodin posters have ap peared in Hankow.

The Russian General, Gallen, is still in Hankow and is holding meetings.

OUR $50 PRIZE.

Cross-Word Puzzle Competition Result.

PRICE, $3.00 Per Month.

FOR CANADA.

Two Princess & Premier Leaving.

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME.

Series Of Official Ceremonies Arranged.

Rugby, July 20. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince

of. Wales and Prince Mr. Stanley Bald- George,

Prime Minister,' and win, Mrs Baldwin leave London on Saturday to attend the Canadian Diamond Jubilee celebration.

The programme of the visit to Canada is issued. The party will sail from Southampton aboard the C.P.R. liner "Empress of Australia" and will arrive at Quebec on Friday, July 29. They will stay in Quebec until Sunday, being officially welcomed and en- tertained.

N. LAZARUS.

Hong Kong's Only European Optician- Established Over Forty Years Manager-Ralph A. Cooper. M.A.0.A.

Realstored Optometrist (Canada).

RESIST TAXATION DEMANDS!

Soquel To Boycott Against Hong Kong.

SIR HENRY POLLOCK'S VIEWS.

Tenders Advice to British Government.

Sir Henry Follock, of Hong Kong, interviewed by Reuter in Lon- don, says that it is imperative that the British Government should resist the taxation demands of the Nanking Government.

These demands, he asserts, are the natural sequel to the pro- longed and unresisted boycott of Hong Kong.

If Nanking's demands are not resisted, other local Chinese authorities will make similar disastrous exactions on foreign trade and devote the funds to more intensive civil warfare.

BREACH OF TREATIES.

London, July 20.

Sir Henry Pollock, the senior unofficial member of the Legisla. tive Council in Hong Kong, who returns to Hong Kong in Novem- ber, has been interviewed by

After attending a service in Reuter in London. Quebec Cathedral on the Sunday Sir Henry expressed the opin- the Princes and the Prime Minis-ion that it was imperative that The result of the

ter will leave by steamer for the British Government should "China Mail's cleventh $50 Cross-WordMontreal, Monday, August 1, resist the taxation demands of the Puzzle (Second Series) will be will be spent in Montreal, the Nanking Government, which are The "Christian General," Feng found on page 6 of this issue. party attending various official a breach of the Treatles.

This week there are six winners and social functions in their. He said that these recent de- Yu-hsiang, has sent troops to

with two errors each.

honour.

mands were the natural sequel Pukow to act as an escort for the

On August 2 a journey will be of the prolonged and unresisted delegates who are conferring with General Chiang Kai-shek re-

made to Ottawa, where three days Canton-Hong Kong anti-Treaty garding negotiations for a truce King's illness, the health of will be spent. The official cere- boycott, which enriched its pro- between the North and the South Ferdinand has threatened to be monies will include a dinner given moters yet, by lying propaganda, for the purpose of combining a disturbing element in Balkan by the Dominion Government at was represented all over the

politics.

SHANGHAI'S INCREASED

RATES.

Police Patrols Accompany Collectors.

Shanghai, July 21. The Settlement authorities are determined to enforce the increase in rates,

Yesterday Police patrols ne. companied the collectors and picketed those shops refusing

to pay.

The authorities notifled the owner of a well-known ham shop that, failing payment with. in 24 hours, they will shut up the shop under the conditions of the licence, whilst hotels not paying are liable to similar treatment, the guests being turned out.-Reuter.

The pirates told the Chief Off- cer that if he refused to obey their instructions all the white officers would be killed. On the Chief Officer indicating that he had no alternative but to obey and against the Hankow Reds he would follow their instruc- British Naval Wireless. tions, the pirates gave a guar-

A Friendly Sign. antee that none would be hurt and

Kiukiang, July 19. One of His Majesty's gunboats that neither the possessions of the officers nor of the crew would has arrived at Hukow, and has be touched.

exhanged friendly visits with the military authorities.-British Naval Wireless.

This promised was carried out, with the exception of the Cup- Chief Officer's Story. tain's gramophone, which evid- Interviewed on board. Mr. ently one of the pirates took a Eilert Konow, Chief Officer, said fancy to. The Captain had a wad that he was asleep in his bunk at of $600 in Hong Kong banknotes the time of the piracy. He was in his cabin. This was not touch- awakened by someone hitting him ed.

NICE LIGHT WINDS!

"Light, variable winds, on the head with something. The Chief Officer stated that freshening from north east" is When he awoke, he found three the pirates allowed him to leave the official weather report until men standing by his side with the bridge to have tiffin whilst the noon to-morrow. automatic pistols. One of the 2nd Officer, whose wounds had men spoke in English, which the been dressed, took duty for a Chief Officer understands fairly while. The same arrangement) well. The officer was asked if was allowed at dinner time. there were any arms on board,

The Loot.

are reported to have made as they were leaving was to the Chief

The Chief Officer told them The ship arrived at Bias Bay Officer. "You can tell them (pre-} that there were no arms on board late last night and two sampans sumably the Hong Kong author- and he was then taken to the mess immediately came alongside and ities) to send their aeroplanes room by the pirates.

took off the loot. This consisted over, but they won't find us!" He was only there a few min-of two boxes of gold bars (value, According to Mr. Luk Wing- utes when he was taken up to the $20,400) which was being taken cheung, there were fifteen or six- bridge by two armed men who down to Saigon and was in the teen pirates, all of whom boarded told him to turn the ship about Captain's cabin; the rest of the at Hong Kong (the pirated ship, and proceed in the direction of loot consisting of articles taken incidentally, is not subject to the Hong Kong. Knowing that re-from the 380 Chinese passengers, anti-Piracy regulations as an sistance was useless, the Chief arid plundered cargo-silk thread, ocean-going ship). Six of the pir- Officier complied.

cotton tassels, blackwood ware ates hired the room of the pantry and silk piece goods.

boy. The pirates directed that the

"Meant Business."

"I knew that the pirates meant business," said the Chief Officer

+

All Well Armed. "Solviken" should be taken three The 3rd Engineer, Mr. Schack, to a "China Mail" representative miles higher up into the Bay and was also awakened from sleep by. this morning, "for on my way to here two of the ship's boats were men whom he describes as being the bridge I had passed the skip- lowered and the pirates put off, variously armed with daggers, re- per ((Rickard Gentoft) lying on taking with them seven of the volvers and choppers." He was the deck badly wounded.

crew and the 2nd. Engineer (Mr. taken to the saloon and kept pri

In spite of periódical and re- assuring reports, there has been little doubt that there would be a fatal termination to the malignant malady from which the King was suffering.

In addition to the menace of trouble on the part of the sup- porters of Crown Prince Carol, who is an exile in Faris, it is reported that the ambition "of Premier Averescu to establish', a dictatorship in the event of the King's death led to a crisis last June, which Ferdinand himself dramatically solved from his sick- bed by sending an official intim- ate to the conference of the Party leaders under Averescu, that Prince Stirbey had been en- trusted with the formation of Cabinet.

COST OF THE FORCES.

Some Striking Figures Submitled.

London, July 20. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. C. P. Trevelyan. Mr. Worthington Evans sald that the extra cost of the Shanghai Defence Force Army. Funds, excluding the Marine battalion, was estimated to March 31, 1927, at £950,000 and subsequent to March 31 at ap- proximately £1,000,000 for cap. ital and transport charges, and approximately £250,000 monthly for extra maintenance charges, -Reuter.

world as an unselfish and patrio-

tic movement.

Sir Henry Pollock repudiated the apparently prevalent idea that British and Chinese in the Far East were mutually opposed. He declared that if Nanking's demands were not resisted, other local Chinese authorities would make similar disastrous exactions on foreign trade, devoting the funds thus obtained to a more intensive civil warfare-Reuter,

'CHINESE AUTONOMY.

Essence of the Problem Defined.

Honolulu, July 20. The Institute of Pacific Rela- tions at great length discussed the question of Chinese autonomy. four Committees being occupied,

ין

ALLEGED MUTINY.

inter alia, with the question of likin and the possibility of the Nationalists gaining control of the Government in China,

The British and American de- legates expressed confidence in their Governments to recognise tariff the Chinese right to autonomy when a National Gov- was established in ernment Peking and likin was abolished.

•Discussion centred around a monograph by Mr. Joshua Bau, who holds that the essence of the Chinese problem is the ability of the authorities of the country to abolish likin.

Britain Ready to Help. Sir Frederick Whyte said that Great Britain wanted to help China and co-operate on the tarif question. that when a Government was 95- All the delegates were agreed tablished representing all China it should be immediately re cognised by the other Powers.

The Chinese delegates express- ed their optimism in regard to the proceedings of the conference. Reuter's American Service.

were seriously injured while tock- ling the cargo hatches, so Mr, Nannik assumed the post of Chief Officer until yesterday. During all this time the crew still stood about. and refused to assist.

Officers Struck. When the ship reached Kong Kong she tied up at Taikop At Taikoo the crew still refused to. work, and yesterday morning they refused to come on deck when or dered to do so. The Officers at- tempted to handcuff the two accus ed who were the instigators of all the trouble, but they resisted.

At this stage Mr. Lindsell said that he thought that the case was hardly one for a Police Magistrate to deal with. He thought it should. go before the Marine Court, and in- structed Inspector Murphy to com- municate with the Water Police..

Prince Stirbey's Cabinet was short-lived and was replaced by a Parliament Buildings, at which Coalition under M. Bratianu. important speeches will be made; Both Prince Stirbey and M. the unveiling of a statue of Sir Bratianu are opposed to the re-Wilfred Laurier, late Premier of turn of ex-Crown Prince Carol. Canada, by the Prince of Wales; The Council of Regency now and the dedication of a Memorial formed is headed by Premier Chamber in the tower of Parlia- SEQUEL TO STORM AT

SEA

Later His Worship personally got Bratianu's Minister of War, Gen- ment Buildings. eral Angelesco.

The party will afterward pro-

into touch with the Harbour Master The troops are confined to bar-ceed to Toronto, and thence visit CHINESE BEFORE COURT. and was informed that as the ship racks as the Government is deter-Niagara Falls.

was foreign the case should be On a voyage from Balingtang in dealt with by the Police Magistrate. mined to prevent any attempt at

From this point the Prince of a coup d'état by the Carolista Wales has no further official en- the Dutch East Indies to Japan, the The case was then resumed.

Java-China-Japan Line 3.8. "T][- Continuing his gagements.

evidence, Mr. kandi" (Capt. Hillegaard) was Nannik said that the second ac- The Prime Minister, however, caught in a typhoon and severely cused struck the Chief Engineer in will visit various other cities in battered when about 150 miles east the cheat and called out to the the Dominion before. leaving of Balingtang Channel, and approxi- North Sydney on his return to mately 1,000 miles East-South-East other seamen to help him.

the run towards Britain on August 28.British of Hong Kong. To add to the 13 the starboard alleyway amidship. European officers difficulties in the They were led by the first accused Wireless Service.

teeth of the typhoon, the Chinese in the attack on the Officers. Some The King's Interest.

London, July 20.

seamen of the ship refused to work of the men succeeded in getting and the officers accomplished almost The Cabinet met to-day when the impossible when they brought through before the witness was the Ministers took formal fare the ship through. As it was impos- able to close the alleway door. The well of Mr. Baldwin prior to his sible for the ship to make her way other men rushed in through the departure for Canada,

back up Balingtang Channel in the port alleyway door. Five men at-

Reuter.

Last Moments.

Bucharest, July 20. The King's condition, which

He added that the circum- Sande). These were allowed to soner there for nineteen hours by stances under which the skipper return when the pirates had five pirates. He was joined later had been shot were not absolute-reached ashore, but it was after by other of the officers. At mid- ly clear. It was known that he wards found that two first class night he was made to go to the had been awakened in his cabin Chinese passengers and a boy had engine room and work the en- became more serious during the by armed men and the surmise been taken by the pirates for ran-gines until 4.80 a.m. this morn-

Princess Ileana.

of them came

Nine

His Majesty the King convers- typhoon, the vessel fought its way tacked the witness who stood with. ed at some length with Mr. Bald- towards Hong Kong as the nearest his back to the starboard alleyway win at Buckingham Palace in port from where the ship was at the door.

time the wind rose. She arrived in Firet accused hit the witness in regard to his trip to Canada-port on Tuesday evening and went the mouth and face. The Chief

Reuter.

Acting Prime Minister.

London, July 20, It is.officially announced that Sir Austen Chamberlain will act as Prime Minister during Mr. Baldwin's visit to Canada.— Reuter.

PROMOTION.

COMDR. J. B. NEVILLE,

D.S.D., R.N....

to the Talkoo Dock. Yesterday Engineer went to the witness's as- morning more trouble broke out sistance and flung the first ac- among the crew, who demanded to eused down the deck. This man be paid off, and it eventually deve came back at the Chief Engineer loped into a fight between the OM- "like a tiger." The Europeans cers and the men.

eventually won the fight. The sequel was heard in Mr. R. E.

Mr. Lindscfl: Lindsell's Court at the Central them out? No, we drove them Did you knock Magistracy this morning when two back.

of the Chinese crew who were anid

Then the, witness put up the to be the ringleaders of the troublo police flag. Immediately, after thin were charged with assaulting Mr. all the crew with the exception of P. J. de Greeuw, Chief Engineer, thres went ashore and stood about and Mr. P. C. Nannik, Third Officer. the Dockyard until the arrival of.

The accused were respectively

seaman carpenter and a sailor. the police. The witness then went.

Refused to Work

ashore and pointed out the two de-,

.

In the witnoss box Mr. Nannik fendants to Inspector Murphy. Lt. Comdr. J. B. Neville, D.S.O., said that early on the morning of

By the Magistrate: Second ac- R.N., acting Harbour Master, July 16, they encountered high seas cused did not take part in the Hong Kong, has been promoted to with igns of an approaching general fight because the Officers the rank of Commander.

typhoon. The Officers decided to succeeded in handcuffing

The information is contained in make the ship as seafsat as

ble. The Chief and Fourth

rusk

hiru

was that he told them to get out, som, two from the 2nd class and ing when the ship arrived at/past two days, rapidly became an Admiralty, notice dated June accordingly called upon the simultaneously with the seamen's

whereupon, thinking that he two from the 3rd class. meant to resist, the pirates shot

Blas Bay, At the outset, he, to worse last night.

The last sacrament was admin- Compradore Taken. gether with the other officers, was him out of hand.

The compradore of the ship, Mr. told that if he kept quiet he would istered at midnight,

His Majesty was conscious Struggle on Bridge. Muk Shung-san, was also found come to no harm. '' The 2nd Officer (Mr. Johnsen), to have been kidnapped. A small. According to another report, throughout and suffered no pain who was also shot, was on watch boat was missed from the ship and one of the Chinese deck passen at the end.

Queen Marie, the Queen of

on the bridge at the time of the it was at one time thought that gers was wounded on resisting Jugo-Slavia, the ex-Kirig and ex- piracy. It appears that he saw a he had succeeded in escaping: but search man approach him, apparently his son, Mr. Luk Wing-chung, who The "Solviken" was moaned by Queen of Greece, the child heir- Mickael); alone. Suspecting his purpose, was also on board, says that he a crew of 68 Chinese and 6. Chin apparent (Prince

Prince Nicholas, and the 2nd Officer immediately clos was taken away in this boat under ese officers. The ship is engaged Ileana were all at the bedside. ed with him, but was immediately pirate escort.

in the rice trade between Hong abot at by another man who was One parting shot the pirates Kong and Saigon.

Princess

(Continued on Page 12.)

17 which reads:

Engineer's Story. Mr. Gresuw, the Chief Engineer. "I am directed by the Lords de crew to get to, but the men

refused work. Mr. Nannik said asid that after the ship's arrival in Commissioners of the Ad- that the men were led in this by Hong Kong on Tuesday, the en- miralty to acquaint you that second accused whom the witness gineroom men came to him and ask you have been promoted to the described no a Bolshevik who was ed to be paid off. He promised to rank of Commander on the always talking. Soon afterwards speak to the Captain about it. The Retired List as from June 17, the slip ran into the typhoon and men told him that the sailors would 1927"

all her hatches were blown away. fight if they were not paid-oft, Then came a temporary. lull and Yesterday morning the witness's the European Officers set about to men refused to work. It was quite make the ship seafast The Chief clear that they were instigated by and Second Officers tried to close the sallors who were loltering on the cargo hatches, while the. En-

TODAY'S DOLLAR The closing rate of the dollar on demand to-day was 1/11 15/16

gineors closed, the apare bankers, the hatches. Second accused, the Both the Chief and Second Officers (Continued on Page 12.)