No.364.
The Secretary,
The China Coast Officers' Guild,
Hongkong.
sir.
137
Police Headquarters,
Hongkong.
16th. May, 1923.
In reply to your letter of 8th inst. I beg to inform you that as a result of the enquiry into the conduct of the Indian Guards on board the 8.5. "Fatehan" on 13th September 1922 when the Chief Officer Thomas Spafford was murdered by one of the guards while on duty I ar- ranged for the transfer of all the remaining guards in compliance with the request of the Master though I was personally satisfied, and I believe the Master of the s.e."Fatshan" was also satisfied that none of them were aware of the contemplated action of Khair Singh the murderer, far less assisted him in any way in carrying out the murder.
With reference to the action of the guards after the murder,
I am satisfied that the men who were below including Chumi Llal the No. carried out their duties in such a manner that no further discip- linary action against them was called for when it is borne in mind that they are guards and not trained police, but the two guards Ram Singh and Sunda Singh who were on the upper deck were guilty of gross neglect of duty in not taking immediate steps to go to the assistance of the Chief Officer.
There was no doubt a general rush for safety on the upper deck as soon as the shooting took place.
It is perhaps unfortunate that the Master did not call upon these two guards, who though under cover were not far away at the time of the shooting. He did not do so because, as he stated in evidence,
This impression was also he thought all the guards had mutinied, gathered by a Naval Lieutenant who was on the upper deck at the time. Rad the Master called upon the guards to come to his assistance I thi' they would have done so us all the guards present below followed the
The two Naval Lieutenant up once he was prepared to assume command. guarde after being taken off the ship were not permitted to do furthe ship duty, but were assigned to shore duty and their services were di pensed with entirely on 16th and 28th February 1923 respectively.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant.
Sgd. E.D.C. Wolfe,
Captain Superintendent of Police.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.