March 25th, 1922]
2.-We are further of the opinion that Deputy Superintendent King did every- thing in his power to dissuade the crowd from the course upon which they had embarked by exhortation in the Chinese language; that he exercised all forbear- ance until such time as their riotous and threatening demeanour left him with no alternative but to give the military the order to fire and so ensure the bodily safety of himself and the military and police units at the moment at his immed- iate disposal. That this was seriously menaced was borne out by the evidence of Capt. Bloxham. There is no doubt in our minds that the success of the crowd in breaking through the police cordon at the Waterworks had rendered their attitude very defiant and any fur- ther concession to their will would have resulted later in bloodshed on
a far heavier scale if the law was to be event- ually upheld.
3. Not only do we exonerate Mr. King from all blame in the matter, but we con- sider commendation is due to him and to the police and military immediately con- cerned for their conduct and patience under most trying circumstances; and for their personal courage.
4. We consider that Mr. King's order to fire one round, and low, was the minimum amount of force that could be utilised to have the desired effect, and was actuated with the fullest regard to humanity. We deprecate any suggestion that Mr. King could have employed alternative methods to achieve the same result. It was most unfortunate that the motor 'buses, with the help of which Mr. King had planned to trans port sufficient troops to a point where they would effectually overcome the crowd, should have broken down at the time of need; otherwise this regrettable incident might not have occurred. Fur- ther, in view of the previous handling of
similar if smaller parties of Chinese it could not have been foreseen that such obstinacy would have been encountered.
5.-We would add that the testimony of the majority of the Chinese witnesses who have been before us has been, in the main part, unsatisfactory, as well as highly contradictory.
7.-The condition of affairs in the Colony at the time was abnormal in the extreme. A general strike of practically all labour was in progress and the police were working at the highest possible pres- sure; and as we feel that the criminal intimidation which brought about the strike was closely connected with the un- fortunate incident with which we have to deal, we trust that the Government will take such immediate steps as are neces- sary to prevent any repetition of such chaos, and that the Chinese residents for their part will do all that lies in their power to assist them to this, and with suggestions and advice.
The commercial status of Hongkong is delicately balanced and any frequent re- currence of the trouble that has recently affected us will speedily recoil in the shape of financial disaster on the heads of the whole community, both foreign and Chinese, and employers and employés alike.
In conclusion we wish to associate our- selves with your Worship in expressing our sympathy with the bereaved.
Mr. Shenton said Mr. King desired him to say that his action was dictated solely by the situation he had to deal with. No one regretted more keenly than he the sufferings caused.
In thanking the jury for the great care and attention they has given to the case, the Coroner said he thought the verdict of justifiable homicide was the proper and only possible one.
The members of the jury were:-Mr. W. L. Leask (foreman). Mr. A. H. Ferguson and Mr. F. C. Hall.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
EUROPEANS THREATENED.
ANONYMOUS LETTERS FROM
CANTON,
The following extraordinary letter, ad- dressed in Chinese characters but written in English, was received by many local European firms in Hongkong on March
23rd.
The post mark on the envelope shows that it emanates from Canton:-
C
Gentlemen,-It is reasonable that the general strike have been taken place in Hongkong by all labourers of every trade both for sympathizing with the seamen and for hastening the resolution of the seamen's strike. Hence all labourers have returned to their service immediately after the movement being settle; but those who serve to foreigners as boys, cookmen and coolies, are mostly refused by their employers. We look through this as an action of revenge and ungratifulness to our Chinese. We therefore premonish you that we will take on trial the horrible ways against you if you still do prevent them from restoring their employment. Remember that "few cannot resist many."
"GROUP OF WORKER FOR PUNISHING RASCLES.”
ECHOES OF THE STRIKE.
INCREASED SHIPPING CHARGES.
31
317
Telegrams have been sent by the autho- rities in question both to Swatow and Hongkong with a view to receiving official accounts of the conditions actually ob- taining in the ports. Meanwhile, how- ever, we learn that the crew of the Chungking succeeded in getting away un- beknown down river yesterday morning on board the steamer Woosung.
SEAMEN'S STRIK".
[TO THE EDITOR OF
THE HONGKONG
DAILY PRESS."]
SIE,-Now that the strike has been settled (and, as I hope, amicable rela- tions between the disputants have been restored) and one can calmly and dis passionately view in their due perspective the points at issue, some useful purpose may be served were I to seek publicity through the generous medium of your columns of the part I took. At the same time it appears incumbent on me to do so in order to dissipate rumours that were current during the strike that I was the person who had instigated it and was directly or indirectly responsible for its
continuance.
A few days before the 11th January, 1922, I was present at a meeting of the Chinese General Chambers of Commerce, when the Chairman informed the meeting that the Chinese Seamen's Union had re- quested the Chamber to intercede and act as Arbitrators in the matter of their demand for increase of wages.
I ex- pressed the view that the Chamber should The proprietors of the different Canton-assist in the settlement of the question Hongkong steamers have recently an- and that with such a capable and tactful nounced that the usual scale of passage secretary as Mr. Ip Lan-chuen the Cham- fare of their steamers will be hereafter ber should be successful in mediating and changed. An increase of 30 cents will be in terminating the trouble. added to the usual rate of 1st class passage fare; 20 cents increase wil he made to the 2nd class, and 10 cents to the third class. The usual rates of freight will also be increased 10 per cent.—Canton Times.
THE BOYS' GUILD.
The Boys Guild has issued a circular urging members to pay no attention to rumours that a strike of domestic ser vants is contemplated.
HANKOW SAILORS AFRAID TO TAKE A SHIP TO SWATOW.
We understand, says the Central China Post (Hankow) of March 8th, that a quite interesting side issue of the Hongkong seamen' strike is being enacted at the present moment locally with regard to the sailing of the Butterfield & Swire str. Chungking, which has been chartered to carry a cargo of beancake from here to Swatow.
Chairman of the Seamen's Union called On the 12th January (Thursday), the and informed me that the Union desired to retain me. He stated that another lawyer had drafted the "ultimatum " for them, stating that if the matter was not settled by 9 o'clock next morning (Friday) the strike would commence, and that all the letters embodying this ultimatum had been delivered two hours earlier. I pointed out that if the strike was to be on next morning there would be no time for me to endeavour to bring about a settlement and to avert a strike. Accordingly, I stated that, as a condition of my acting, he should authorise me to inform the shipowners that, if the ship- owners would formally notify me in the course of that day that they were willing to negotiate, the strike would be called off for a few days pending the result of negotiation. To this he agreed and there- upon I at once went round to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., and saw Mr. Bernard.
Mr. Bernard was good enough to inform When it became known to the crew of me that a meeting of the shipowners was the Chunking-who are, we believe, north at that moment being held at the City ern men that the vessel was to proceed Hall, and suggested that I should go with to Swatow, considerable agitation arose someone in his office and convey the offer amongst them and they finally expressed of supending the strike to Mr. Suther their refusal to sail to that port, declar-land. Accordingly, Mr. Grimstone and ing that they were afraid of being rough. I went to the City Hall and informed ly handled by the strikers on their arrival | Mr. Sutherland of this development. and possibly prevented from returning to Mr. Sutherland told me that the matter their homes. As the strike has been would be discussed at the meeting and declared off, it would seem to be a little he would give me a definite reply in the doubtful as to how much the sailors'
course of the afternoon. objections were really duc to fear of I waited anxiously for the reply during being man-handled and how much of it the whole of that afternoon, but I did was put on with a view to extorting not receive it until nearly 7 o'clock that higher wages for the voyage. One
night, when a letter from him was de account which we have heard is to the livered to me at my house as follows:- effect that the men were willing to pro- ceed provided a lump sum of $3,000 were forthcoming to ease their fears. rate the men removed their baggage from the steamer on Monday evening, and the matter, as far as we can learn, has not yet been adjusted.
At any
"Chine e Seamen's Wages. "With reference to your call of this morning when you stated you were rỡ. presenting the interests of the Chinese Seamen's Union, I have to inform you that, at a meeting of the principal
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