1929-12-09 — Page 1

The

ASAHI China Mail

BEER

Just the very brawl ...

MITSUI BUSSAN KAISHA, LTD.

BSTABLISHED

1845

No. 27,357 HONG KONG. MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1929.

THRILLING STORY OF BIAS BAY

WHO IS BEHIND THE "HAICHING" PIRACY?

SPECIAL "MAIL” INTERVIEW REVEALS SECRET ORGANISATION

A VISIT TO THE SHIP

FULL AND EXCLUSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE OUTRAGE

[By The "Mail" Special Staff Writer]

"Th a deep-laid organization behind the affair," a high official cor to me this morning, when I interviewed him con- cerning the pcy of the Douglas Company's steamer "Haiching." "We have evidence to show that an unusually clever brain has planned this and previous outrages in Bias Bay. That brain has spies and agents in Hong Kong, all along the coast, and even in the shipping companies. It knows exactly the amount of money car- ried on board and also the importance of each passenger, as well as his business.

"Can you lay your hand on this mysterious individual?" I asked. My informant smiled deprecatingly. "Of course, we have our suspicions," he replied. "But of what value are they? He may be an individual occupying an important position. On the other hand, he may be anybody. But I think we are on the right track.”

The official led me to the door. "Mind you, he said, this is not for publication."

TO-DAY'S DOLLAR.

The

Iclosing rate of the dollar on

demand, to-day was 1/8 9/16.

C.A.

PRICE $3.00 Per Month.

PIRACY

The Il-fated Steamer "Hatching.”

which was done before the ship he got through a number of other fore continued her voyage to Hong salled,

messages.

When the first shot was heard, the ship's siren W14 repeatedly sounded, and thus gave a general drew hia revolver and rushed up to alarm. It is said that Mr. Parry

the bridge with a view to assisting in the defence, but on the way met the pirate who had shot Mr. Before he had an opportunity to fire Mr. Parry shot him through the stomach..

After the first few exchanges of

ON BOARD THE BLACKENED HULK Woodward.

Preas representatives were not allowed on board the "Halching" this morning, by strict orders of the Police, who have been extreme- ly reticent about the whole affair -not to say silent. Nevertheless, . "China Mail" representative went out to her in a motor launch at 11.40 this morning and suc- ceeded in getting aboard without any difficulty,

A Sorry Spectacle

A sorry spectacle met my eyes (he writes). Amidships as well as forward the deck was a blacken- ed mass of charred woodwork, twisted metal and remnants of the passengers' belongings. In one corner was a half-burnt suit case, showing a sponge, tooth- brush and some Chinese visiting ,cards. The remnants of packages containing biscuits and other food littered the scuppers and patches of blood were still visible.

No attempt had been made to clear up the wreckage, until the Police had made a through exam- ination,

A detachment of Chinese police paraded the deck, whilst Indian constables, armad with rifles, guarded the entrance to the saloon, in which an unusual scene was be- ing enacted.

Crew Examined The saloon, was turned into a court-room. At one table the Chief Officer and Second Officer were consulting, writing report for the Company. They looked tired out, and each wore a worried expression. At another table, a member of the crew was being closely examined by a de tective, and his answers careful ly taken down. Everything was In disorder. `.

!

The "Haiching" had a slight list to port." Her funnel, black and charred, was inclined at a minor angle toward the one-time bridge, with a few ventilators FULL HONOURS AT GALLANT showing up prominently amongst OFFICER'S FUNERAL the debrie on the deck-destroyed by fire.

were

A few sampans collected around her sides, at the gangway at which

several

police launches.

The hulk presented a dreadful sight.

THE FIRST NEWS

Graphic Message from the Captain

The Douglas Steamship Com- pany, agenta of the "Haiching,” received at six o'clock yesterday morning the first intimation by wireless from the ship that it bad been pirated off Chilang Point.

Half an hour afterwards. two more messages were received, one to the effect that the ship was being pirated, was on fire, and might eink at any time, while the second, from the ship's master, read:

"Attempted piracy repulsed with loss; ship on fire amid- ships; first and third ofcer wounded and two Indian guards missing,"

The naval authorities were com- municated with, and two warships sent to the "Hatching's" assist- ance. Later a message was re- ceived to the effect that one of the warships had attempted to take the steamer into tow, but had to abandon the attempt, as the fire was gaining, owing to the strong wind. This was. at about 10 am.

following aro the

!

The casualties:- KILLED:-

Mr. K. A. Woodward (third

officer).

A Malay Quartermaster

(name unknown),

A Chinese girl (name un-

known).

WOUNDED:-

Crew

Mr. IL Perry (Chief Officer). Cheung Ngau (29), stoker. Chiu Sheung-chuer (32),

captain's boy.

Omar (40), Malay quarter.

master, Ching Chuen (30), cook. Tang Chik-seng (52), second steward

LI Lit-kwoon (19), cabin

boy.

Surtar Singh, Indian guari.

Passengers

* Li Ślu-fan (17). ......... Chan Chiu-king (38). Cheung Yau-shing (15). Ng Chuen-fat (26). Hong Shan-chlu (35). Lund Lun-fai (28). Lo Ki (48)... Lal Wal-yuen (14).

Suspects

La Sul-fan (36). Siu Kan-yn (24). Chin King-kwan (29). Chan Mok (50), Lo Shun-fan (36). Chan Kan-wai: (37). Lan Löt (53)

A Pirate's Faie The pirates did not neglect the engine-room, for at ope stage three and asked the engineers If the lat- of them went down with revolvers

ter knew of a "hack" way which led from therengine-room to the bridge. They were told to follow the engineers, but apparently did not want to do so.

...

A conference followed and two of the three piratae décided they were I nat so vigy anxious, after all, to get

up to the bridge.

The third man followed one of the

engineers who, realising that he was alone with a solitary pirate, took a chance and attacked his armed op- ponent, knocking him unconscious with a heavy blow. This pirate's fate, In view of the subsequent fire, is not known.

Kong.

Official Police Report

midnight reads as follows:-

A Police report issued at about

The s.8. "Halching," British, steamer, 2,080 tons registered, in Hong Kong, left Swatow at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 7, with 800 passengers, includ ing one British passenger, and three American lady pas- sengers. About 2 a.m. ón De cember 8 a gang of pirates,

CASUALITY LIST

It has been definitely decid- ed that the funeral of Mr. Woodward, third officer of the "Halching," who lost his life after putting up a brave fight, will take place at 5 pm. to

Full Naval honours will be accorded.

Pistol Battle When the first shots

day. were ex- changed, it was still dark, and the officers had to use their electric torches frequently In the course of the pistol battle with the pirates. Knowing that the pirates would fire at any torch because there must be a man behind the light, the off-

1929 rainfall .69.40 inches

Average

Declfit

.82.28 inches

.12.88 inches

cers held their electric lamps at arm's length, about a yard from the body. In this way, they were able to see their opponents with comparatively small risk of their opponents seeing them.

Another Version

The pirates made an attack on the bridge of the "Haiching" at about 1-a.. on Sunday. Finding their efforts folled by the stout re sistance of the guards, they then set fire to the officers' cabins, situ- ated underneath the bridge,

A desperate battle ensued, for possession of the grille, but the marauders were again. beaten off.. One Indian guard, who, together with his companions, fought with the utmost gallantry, was killed. Two others were wounded,

also severely wounded, and died Third Officer, Mr. Woodward, was after his arrival in Hong Kong.

The

At last someone observed my presence, and I was politely ask An hour later. a. message.came. ed to leave the ship. As I des through to the effect that the Are cended the gangway, an RA.F. had been got under control, and launch came alongside, and a that HMS. "Seraphis" had gotte Naval officer, accompanied by the "Haichiar in tow and was shot, the parties checkmated each four R.A.F. officers, came aboard, f proceeding to Hong Kong. The other, for whereas the officers wore made a thorough examination of "Henry Keswick was also accom on one side of the grille, the pirates the vessel, and took notes.panying the steamer, having been were on the other. The latter made

Americans on Board

rushed out to the scene on re all sorts of demands, but there were This morning I was informed ceiving news of the incident. Mr left unheeded, as were their threats, by the American Vice-Consul that T. Williamson, Marine Superin. Not knowing what the next move three American passengers were tendent of the Douglas Steamship would be, the pirates then resorted aboard the "Haicking" at the time Company, was on board the to desperate measures, and proceed of the piracy, but none was in Henry Keswick "** Jured. Their names up to the Another message from the ship with the double purpose of scaring his crew, and especially his guards.,

Mto set fire to the ship near the grille, moment of publication are not was received which stated that the officers end of smoking them out intown.

inately, the

the Compradore and his staff were of their defence

all safe, and that the pirates were wind was in favour of the officere, atill on board, and were belag and the brought into

The following signal was made by H.M.S. "Ken!" (flag. ship) last night.

"Flag to All Ships? "It has been decided to ac- cord full Naval honours at the farers) of Mr. Woodward, Third Officer of the ss. “Hai- ching," who lost his life on the occasion of the attempted piracy of that ship.

"Facilities are to be grant ed to officers and men willing to attend."

pung

who were among the passen- gers, made an attempt on the bridge. All officers and In- dfan guards turned out, and kept the pirates at bay from the bridge until about 5 am. Meanwhile the pirates had set fire to the ship amidships. Eventually the wireless opera- tor succeeded in transmitting a message when the ship was " off Chilang Point This mess← age was picked up by HMS. "Sterling," which was anchor. ed about 10 miles away.

HMS. Sterling proceeded at once to the scene. The ship was in flames amidships. People were jumping into the water. Some funks were in the vicinity HMS. "Sirdar" also came on the scene, and.

"Stormcloud"

shortly afterwards HMS.

Officials of the company speak in the highest terms of the assistance. The flames were extinguish rendered by the Naval authorities. overaly ships were sent out im- mediately the facts of the miracy became known

Captain Farrar has nothing but praise for the exemplary conduct of

of the

ed at about 9 m. and the

Hong Kong, arriving at 6.80 ahip was escorted back to

p.m. Passengers were brought in by H.M.S3. "Sirdar" and H.M.S. Sterling.

Suspects Examined

RIGID PROCEDURE HY CID

MEN:

nervous

PERHAPS ITS EYES!

Our careful and accurate eye examina. tion will quickly determine if it is due to eye strain. Make an appoint- ment now.

LAZARUS

Hong Kong's Only European Optician. 13. Queen's Road, Central Telephone Mr. Cooper C. 1203 for appointment.

FOREIGNERS REPAIR STORY

RAILWAY

STRENGTH OF THE REBEL FORCES

POSITION OF BRITONS

Shanghai, To-day.

OF STORM HAVOC

WIND VELOCITY RECORD FOR BRITAIN

SHIPS IN DISTRESS

Rugby, Yesterday.

The Shanghai-Nanking Railway, The exceptionally violent, gale, which was cut in three placea by which struck Southern England on the rebels, has been restored by Friday night and continued yester- railway gangs under the super-day, was rasawed with soverity vision of foreign engineera.

to-day, and the forecast indicates a

The rebels' forces, which are ex-continuation of stormy weather. timated variously from 2,000 to At its height the volocity of the 10,000 have left southward by a wind yesterday reached 108 miles line of trains running spasmodical-an hour, which is a record for ly to-day.

Britain. This figure was recorded

There were many casualties on

His Majesty's "Suffolk" left for at Scilly Islands. Nanking this morning but it is understood that it has not yat land and sea. been deemed necessary

to take

in Nanking

foreign residents

aboard. Reuter.

Line Cut Again

Shanghai, To-day.

Off Hartland Point on the rugged coast of North Devon, the Cardi steamer "Radyr" (2,000 tons) with a crew of 21 was lost,

She was The Shanghai-Nanking railway owing to mountainous seas, could scen appealing for help which, was again cut during the night be- not be given, and then disappeared. tween Anting and Hwangta. Reils Lifeboats from

are being pulled up from the bridge Clovelly attempted to put to sea but Appledore and 24 or 26 miles from Shanghai.

The foreign delegates attending After several unsuccessful attempts the vessels could not be launched. the Provisional Court Conference

in Nanking got through safely, but the Padstow lifeboat put to sea to a freight train from Nanking was search for survivors, but it is un- overturned at four o'clock this likely that any could have survived. morning-Reuter.

The last heard from the vessel be- fore she settled down was that the [Earlier cables appear on page 7.] crew were taking to the boats.

hand.

A Daring Exploit Reports of many other ship other to Kowloon. All are being closely wrecks and disasters at sea during questioned by Criminal Investiga- yesterday's gale have come to tion Department men as to their place of residence in China, their business

The crew of the small French connections, etc., and the reason for their making the trip to Hong Kong steamer "Ornais," of "Trouville," on the "Halching."

which went ashore at Penzance, Those who were able to establish probably owe their lives to the their bons des were releasedt, whilst daring exploit of a young man athers were detained for further in-named Lafty, The high seas and vcetigation, and verification of their dangerous rocks prevented the life. clatma. As a Police officer put it this boat from approaching "Ornalo," morning, the work of "shroffing up"

this large number of Chinese, many and the hurricace rendered hopeless. of them very ignorant people who attempts to save the crew by rocket, usually come in large batches from apparatus. : · ·Lalty dashed into the Foochoy, Amoy, and Swalow for the sca and gained a rock, from which purpose of emigration to Singapore he was able to pass a rope to the. and elsewhere as labourers, is not an "Ornais:" While so engagédone easy task for the investigators, and of the crew was washed overboard will probably take a couple of days.

but Laity rescued him. All the experienced in

No difficulty was

catabllahing the identity of Chinese crew were saved. members of the crew of the "Halching"

or the better class Chinese passengers, most of whom have business and other

Blue Star Liner Temporary repairs to her rudder

connections here and have no difficuity having been effected the Blue in producing local residents to veuch as Star Uner "Andalucia," bound from to their character, etc. It is belleved London to South America with 122 that by the system of "weeding" em passengers, was able to dispense ployed by the C.ID. men it is impos-with the assistance of an Admiralty. eible for any pirates to pass through tug which was despatched from the slave by posing as Chinese busi Plymouth in answer to her earlier

near men.

Although they might have passage messages.

tickets in their possession-the pirates

The crew of the harge "Mystery,"

BWAY

resorting to the usual ruse of board of Harwich, which broke ing the vessel as passengers-it would from her moorings in Dover Har be very difficult for them to prove any bour and was driven ashore, were claim they might make to being law saved by the breeches buoy, abiding persons. They cannot hope

Lifeboats from Newhaven auc-

to bluff their way to release under the ceeded in taking off the crew of the clase scrutiny of the C.ID, who will fourmasted

not be content with anything but the most conclusive proof.

Norwegian barque "Mogen Koch," which

was driven

When dealing with the steerage pas- ashore near Eastbourne. sengers, the Investigators, of course, Crews of‚· Shoreham and have to be much more careful, as it is Selsey lifeboats bad a very hard realised that it would be easier for the time spending the whole of Friday pirates to pass off as hermiosa emi-night and part of Saturday at sea grants, and the chances are that they in efforts to assist the Hungarian will all try to free themselves in this vessel "Honved" which, however, way, However, in this part of the investigation the C.I.D. men will have the assistance of Emigration Ocera All shipping was stormbound of the Harbour Office, who are used to yesterday in the Mersey, River, the handling of emigrants and should. be able to "spot" pretendera.

was in the end able to proceed.

In Imminent Danger

Reports from Breat this evening stated that several vessels are in

At Police Headquarters imminent danger off the Brittany

CAPTAIN OF "HAICHING" MEETS OFFICIALS

coast. Singals asking for assistance were received late in the afternoon. by several wireless, stations on the South coast of Ireland and England from vessels which had become Palice Headquarters presented the several others reported themselves unmanageable in the storm, and usual qulot appearance this morning,

Antiquated Rifles

except for the fact that a large crowd in temporary difficultles.

Anxiety for Art Treasures

of curious Chinese had gathered, in The Cross-Channal services were Hollywood Road outside the izen gates suspended yesterday owing to the at the foot of the incline leading up to storm, but were resumed to-day the compound. These had evidently under great difficulties. learned of the piracy from vernacular papers and had collected in the hope of catching a glimpse of the pirates, The progress of the Italian who, Borueone had started the rumour, ateamer "Leonardo da Vinel" which would be produced before the Court is now believed to be in the Bay of Courts Thronged Biscay with her $14,000,000 cargo. The Cuarta were also thronged this of art treasures. being brought to - morning, but the curious might have Britain for next month's exhibition employed their time to better purpose, of Italian art in London, is being de it was reliably learned by a “China

"Mai" man that no one of the large watched with some anxiety owing? number of men undergoing examination to the heavy galca. have yet been singled out or identified as pirates, although it is certain, that soms are to Police hande ge

Capf, O, B-Farrar of the "Haschi was at Police Hondquarters this

ing, and wal in clóns

When she arrives in London she will be plioted to her berth, where Lady Chamberlain, Chairman of the Exhibition Committen with – Bir Austen Chamberlain and others, in-

probably Mr. Arthur Hen

eign Se