1946-10-24 — Page 4

Rice Shop Manager Charged

The manager of the Chung Wah rice Shop, Tsang Cheong-kuen, was

before charged

Mr. George She at the Cen- tral Magistracy yester- day, with possession of a platform weighing ma- chine which was false) and unjust.

Mr. M. A, da Silva appeared for the defence.

Sub-Inspector W. Gorans, in evidence, stated, that he visited defendant's shop at No. 63,

Queen's Road East at about p.m. on September 9. amined

He ex-

a compound platform weighing machine and found the

failed to

to one and a half catties before the beam would balance.

Not Right-

A shep assistant made a state Jent that with the piece of iron on the cap and the container on the platform, it would balance the ben e told the that it could not, be accepted as the right method, le tested the scale with the piece of iron me the confiner on the platform, and found the scale still read 12 eatly against the purchaser.

On the morning of September 10, and in the presence of the defendant, the scales were again tested with the same results.

WAR CRIMES TRIAL

*

THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1946.

Responsibility Of Master At Issue

"One of the most cold-blooded mass murders in

history" was the description of prosecuting officer, Major P. A. L. Vine, R.M., of the ac- tions of the Japanese during the sinking of the Lisbon Maru, with the loss of 846 British and Canadian POWs from Hongkong, when open- ing the case against Kyoda Shigeru, captain of the vessel, yesterday."

The prosecution alleged that Kyoda, responsible for the safety of POWs, was concerned in bat- tening them in the holds after the vessel had been torpedoed on October 1, 1942.

other

Fundamental Responsibility

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

'AL. to-day's meeting of the

Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr. R. D. Gillespie will ask the

following question:-

Is Government aware that the delay in recommencing the disposition of Crown Land by auction or by private treaty i sericusly retarding building de- velopment in the Colony; and will Government state ita future to Crown policy with regard Lands suitable for building sites?

the

Readers' Letters

Nickel Coins

taken with a dessert spoon, or, if utterly shameless, through a Sir, You mentioned something straw. Could any of your Non- that was of considerable import-Commissioned Gourmets confirm ance to Hongkong a few days back-nickel coms-but far this please. there has been no response from the public.

Sure, we want our nickel coins back! Now that a long year has gone by, it is high time-that something be done about it.

FAIR PLAY.

*

Answer To Correspondent..

H. S. Kwok: The status of Sir

These filthy bits of rubbish Thomas Jackson was restored on that pass for money, 1, 3, 10 | Monday night. A news item to cents, besides being clusive this effect appeared on Page 1, Cable to be gone with the gusts Col. 2, of Tuesday's "China Mail." when buying ticket in a truck- bua) and illusive. (short change due to hard to count), contribute a great deal to the cheapening of money. I have seen many people

getting rid of them as if they were so

much trash, which in fact they are. Our old nickel coins were decidedly better. Coins similar to that are more worthy

CROWN

WITNESS

be tokens of money. REBUKED

Here is a suggestion. Since the Hongkong dollar is only 1/3, why not coin nickel dellars a trifle

One of the Grown witnesses bigger than the proposed British

Wong shillings? The old heavy plates testifying in the trial of

with col- will never do! The look and feel Fuk-chau, charged

severely repri- of these nickel dollar coins willlaboration, was greatly enhance the value andmanded for telling lies and told Tacilitate the handling of Hong- to leave the witness box without kong currency. In fast, the pre-completing his cvidence by Mr. sent incarnation of silver dollar Justler E. H. Willams, Puisne Judge, at the Criminal Sessions As it appears that we can no yesterday.

coins is literally rotten enough.

not

longer have gold and silver, we Opening the case for the Crown, want our coins in nickel: Mr. Lonsdale said that after the paper or cardboard. as mentioned fall of Hong Kong, accused was by some funny man, but nickel-appointed by the Japanese to be-

Cupra-nickel.

0. YEH.

Democracy

and

the

The Court comprises Lt-Col. ¡ ticularly in the case of troop R. C. Laming (President), Maj. transports, certain inroads J. T. Loranger and Lt. Cmdr.were made in the usual rules beam read in pounds had been de G. Lamotte, R.N. Maj. prevailing. Thus it came about P.A.L. Vine, RM. is prosecu- that the Commandant of Troops conwrted to weigh in entties by

on a Japanese transport cama changing the bush poise and plac-ting and the accused is defend-

ed by Taishashi Mikio with to regard himself as in absolute ing a heavier ore on the beam.

because Capt. P. B. Kostiloff as adviser. control of the military person *The counter peise

closer examination ;

Major Vine, in his opening nel under his command, and to in the holds of a sinking ship, lighter, and showed a piece of iron bar on the address said: The verdict which consider himself the sole chat half suffocated by lack of air, comer-poise. When he removed you excir-will be closely studiedrel for issue of any orders to

many already drowned-many the bar and tested the beam at at only here in Hong Kong hat these personnel. If the Master without life jackets and with in Singapore and Tokyo. The tried to interfere with the dis- no boats to use if an escape was er the machine

Admiralty is deeply concerned,cipline or administration of the made. Maintaining an utterly balance.

fie placed o one-catty ulicial since the issues are concerned troops carried. the Ships' Com-callous disregard for their fate,

ceme the Head of Tam Kwei Village in New Territories. Ac- weight on the platform and found with the fundamental respon- mandant would register a com- the Master did not signal the that necessary to move the poisesinility ci a Master of a vessel plaint with the Army Shipping captain of the rescue party for

cused did not stop there, adried instructions regarding for the lives and safety of all Authorities,

Mr. Lonsdale, but went "further aboard. This responsibility is

evacuation of the prisoners. He Sir-The more we read of to help the Japanese voluntarily must have been well aware that your impartial not essential to the prosecution,

unbiased in the search of escaped 'British the ship was doomed, and it be paper, the more we come, but it will affect very consider

to soldiers; in investigations against came more and-more-apparent knowledge in respect of China's guerilla activities; and in ably the relative guilt of the

But whilst the immediate that the battening down was part democracy. These are chiefly due forination of "Defence Corps" argused compared with

of political know- among the villagers, persons who are not, before you. control of army personnel pass- of a larger plot to send every to advances

of the one of the prisoners-of-War to a ledge embedded in the people's Lau Hing-yau, a second hand Out of usage has grown the ed out of the hands assistant

even the most watery grave. It was evident to mind after the past 35 years of goods dealer in Tam Kwei/yil- position of the Master Mariner Master, not

argue those Prisoners-of-War whose hard test, not because absolute command of his ardent militarist could

of the lage, told the Court that gh/onc I ship. From the days of the that the Master had lost his senses were not numbed that the "Tutelage" as alleged by Hsieh occasion he saw accused beating have up a prisoner arrested By the sariy Phoenician traders until fundamental responsibility for ship would sink and when the Chih-Chuong who might

same shoes as Japanese Gendarmerie. On an- now the role of Master Mariner the lives and safety of all enlist reached 15 deg. some of those stepped into the

managed to those disillusioned officials in other occasion, he saw him in the has grown in responsibility and board. The Army Commandant in the 2nd Hold become clearer. The dangers could not dabble in matters of break through the hatch covers. China, who have earned for them- company of a group of Japanese

fired upon by the selves a worldly treasure.

engaged in, a search for escaped of the sea require that there navigation, nor could he order They were

The lengthy and clear-cut British soldiers. should be one person to make the Master, an expert at his guard and forced to retire. It

8.45 am." on letter by. Kai-shin Kwei, de- Li Sheung, a member of the was then about ultimate decisions about his job, to take any course, of

Gendarmerie at Un In Cross-examination by Mr. ship, one person whe can be action in the event of a mari-October 2. At about this time a plores the attention of our people Japanese Silva, wilaces said there was anheld responsible for ensuring time emergency. It would be few of the prisoners, risking the and our Allied friends who might Long, said that he knew accused fire. managed to have been embedded with one-was a general. 'assistant to the other set of balance scales (Chin-the safety of passengers and ludicrous to suggest that cir- small arms ese style) in the shop, which he crew. All nations sending their cumstances could ever arise in escape. The Commander of the sided opinion or information, al- Japanese Gendarmerie and that understood was bought from the ship up the ocean highways which the professional would be rescue party sent a small slip bert the eyes of the World will he was the man who gave him Government. It was available to are bound by the usages of the justified in taking orders from alongside to take off guards and never be closed by works of tern-orders to investigate into guerilla

crew. There was a quite natural porary propaganda.

activities. One day, accused and anyone who queries the weight on

503. Many usages have lost the amateur in matters concern-

What China is today confront-he arrested two Chinese guerillas. the shop's weighing machine. their capacity for further ed with the safely of those in confusion in the events which (Continued at foot of next Col.) growth and have become his slip. Apart from this fun- ccurred around 9 am Suffice ing, was exactly what the Ger-In August, 1944, witness said he dismissed by accused, who. hardened into Statute law by damental responsibility for all it to say that the ship was in immans were expecting; everything was International Convention. Some aboard, the Master did, in fact, mediate peril of sinking, and to be good by following Hitlerism said that he was useless.

the senior Prisoner-of-War in the early year of 1941! Will Pun Kwel-chol, who said he was of the more elemental matters remain in absolute" and im-

officer passed the order "every China's fate be that of Germany, a former guerilla band testified never having. been in dispute mediate control of his own

mun for himself. It was too depending wholly on what guld-to the arrest of his elder brother have not reached the statute crew. The accused will argue late to save the sick men, many ance the massive population takes and a clansman by the accused book. Amongst these matters that at the time of the sinking of whom had already been to the good turn of his country, and a group of Japanese. When is the role of a Master Mariner. of the Lisbon Maru he was

drowned in the rising water. and this, we hope, will be made ending food to his elder brother, The rapid rise of military neither the Captain of his fate There were few survivors from known before long, after the witness added, he heard accused might increased the power of nor the Master of his soul. I No. 8 Hold. It is difficult to convention of the People's Coun- say to his brother: "If you are the Army to the detriment of am sure you will discard this determine how each hatch cover cil in November next.

really a guerilla, you better ad- all classes of civilians, and par- ingenious explanation for his came to be opened. The decks

mit it. I can let you go." part in one of the most cold-were nearly awash and the

"Communist” blooded mass murders in his prisoners stepped into the water. tory.

Just Arrived!

"VELOX"

PHOTO PAPER-

for

SNAPS

For Sale CAMERAS

VICTOR STUDIO

7, Des Voeux Road, C.....

(Opp. Cale Wiseman)

There was no complaint against this shop as regards to shortage of weight.

After hearing submissions by offence. Mr. She cautioned the defendant.

The facts will emerge quite clearly in the evidence, and I

NON-KUOMINTANG.

Soup

Sir, I have been informed

The Master allowed his own crew to evacuate the ship at a time when the Prisoners-of-War that if one is sadly depraved.

Asked by His Lordship as to munist at the why he used the word, "Com- committal pro- ceedings and

now he used the

Silva, that it was only a technical / shall touch but lightly.. on them were either still battened down soup tastes infinitely better if word "guerilla," witness said that

here.

1

or held back by fear of further amall arms fire. At no time did

The prisoners were imprisoned he display the slightest evidence 44

THE 'RIGHT' SPIRIT FOR ANY CELEBRATION

ASK 'EM

BELLET

BRANDY

OBTAINABLE EVERYWHERE SPECIAL PRICE

PER BOTTLE

$1250

DISTRIBUTORS:—

H. RUTTONJEE & SON LTD.

DINA HOUSE

that he disapproved or dissocia- ted himself with the policy adopted.

Murderous Plan

MOSQUITO" NEWSPAPER SUMMONS

there were no difference in these. two words, since all the

Com- munists were guerillas.

The last witness for the Crown was Cheung Yuk, head of an- ather village in the same district as the accused. In Feb. 1945, accused summoned a meeting of the heads of 30 villages in the district for the purpose of form- ing a Defence Corps.

Acting as the Chairman of the

Tang Kwan-ngai, printer of the Chinese mosquito newspaper "Yu Lok," at No. 56, Lyndhurst meeting, witness added, accused Terrace, was summoned before told them to form the Corps by Mr. George. She yesterday, for conscripting two members from failing to furnish particulara cach family in the villages

Many hundreds of prisonera died as a result of this mur derous plan. He is charged specifically with those events in which he played a personal part. First the battening down of the prisoners, secondly his negligent failure to arrange for the ships boats to pick up the survivors. There were the acts or omissions with which the accused as Master had a direct Tang Chit, editor of the "Yu connection, and formed part of Lok" was summoned for the the more general conspiracy of same offence, murder. The accused standa Both defendants before you on trial for his part guilty.

to

to the Registrar of Chinese guard the roads against guerillas. newspapers, and failing to de-and to maintain peace and order liver a copy of the newspaper in the villages should the British to the Registrar daily.

land on Hong Kong,

in the suffocation and death by! First defendant drowning of hundreds of $200, while second prisoners, and the causing of was fined $250. grant suffering to many others. Sergt. Chin, who fell ill while giving evidence, van assisted from the witness box by Commando guards and sent to Hospital by ambulance.

:

Money Mart

. pleaded

Chinese National Currency was. less sure of itself yesterday and was fined rates eased off, though only slight defendantly, to 93 cents for futures and 81.13 for apot (for CN$1,000). Gold fluctuated between 3203 and $200 a tael, closing at the latter · figure. There was no change in

The "publisher and proprie tor," "Tang Chi-hoi, pleaded not guilty, and stated that he was not connected with the news

.paper.

His case was adjourned for Yokola Mirioru, Master of the

B week Kashima Mari, who was then called, said that, in the event of

an emergency on board a ship Witness replied that the master transporting troops, it was the would be responsible for saving duty of the Captain to inform the man's life, notwithstanding

U.S. dollars which had buyers at 34.34 Sterling weakened to $15.30, while Australian pounds unchanged at $12.55 buyers. S'hai Exchange

Shanghai, Cet. 23.

were

Plosing quotations today were:

Buying Selling

CNS CNS 223,000 224,000 .4,100 4,200

800

the O.C. troops of the condition any orders of the O.C. Troops to Gold per ounce of the ship. He did not know the contrary. Anything said by U.B. Dollars much about regulations. concem-the O.C. Troops to the master of Hong Kong Dollars 870 ing the transport of naval, and the ship would be regarded in the Associated Press. military personnel. If it was rature of advice only and it would

the Today is

Depavali be up to the master himself whe- found necessary to abandon ship ther to act on such advice or not. (Dewall) Festival, the Hindu responsibility for the passengers

those troops.

The

on board rested with the Captain, Under cross-examination, wit- New Year. Hindu stores and but in cases where Army person-ness sald that his answers cover- offices will be decorated. nel were transferred, the O.C.d the responsibilities of a ship's Hiridu Community's celebration Troops was specially in charge of Captain in peace and in war, In will continue until Saturday.

war-time, a civilian could not give orders to a military man Admiral Bir Denis. Boyd, is, to The Commander-in-Chief, Vico- The crew of a vessel requisitioned attend the wedding at St. John's by the rallitary would come un- Cathedral on Saturday morning der the control of the military and of Surgeon-Lt. Commander J. K. become attached to the Army, Salmon. R.N. and Miss. Esther Hearing was then adjourned Andersson, V.A.D. The ceremony til 10 am. today.

I is to take place at 11a.m.

Hypothetical Case The President then put the hypothetical case of a man fall- Ing overboard and the duty of th Captain in such an event.