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CORRESPONDENCE,

THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE

DAILY PRESS "I

HONGKONG

S-I think that Mr. Davidson is to be heartily congratulated upon his letter which appeared in your issue of the 23st

inst.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 28HD, 1017,

TO THE EDITOR: OF THE HONGKONG

DAILY PRESS"]

Six-The appearance of a rather cautious champion of the Military Ser- vics Bill in the shape of the author of

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]

MR.ALABASTER AND SLAVERY

IN HONGKONG. IMPORTANT POINT RAISED IN KIDNAPPING GASE.

SIR,-Many readers must be grateful. to you for your leader and remarks on the local Defence Corps Bill at present the editorial of the South China Morning under the consideration of the Legis before the Chief Justice at the Hongkong

tive Council,

Post of this morning is my excuse for troubling you again in this matter,

The editorial in question does not

reach a very high controversial level, and would perhaps not be worth noticing if The Bill to my mind, constitutes it did not appear as an editorial-a shape gross and unwarranted interference within which it may carry more weight than it deserves, espesially with those who tend has it without much care.

the liberty of the subject.

That the interference is "gross been conclusively demonstrated by Mr.

There was another kidnapping, casa

Criminal Bessions yesterday when a In a Colony such as this, where the Chinese, who was attired in European British subject has only a very small

clothes, and is said to be a prospector, voice in the administration of affairs, one of the chief things to provent is any measure which further curtails the free dom of speech and action of the subject There is no doubt that the chief charac teristic of this messure is that it takes away the civil rights of practically overy

It opens by cating that with certain British male in the Colony, and does so,

the Volunteers who have been through the mill for the las, three years welcome the measure for the better organisation it gives promise of. As far as organisation atone is concerned, I dare say that this is true, but it does not happen to be the point.

not for the duration of the war, but for life.

was charged with kidnapping two littls girls, aged 10 and 13 years, on July 20th.

Mr. G. H. Wakeman (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted, and Mr. C. G. Alabaster (instructed by Mr. Leo D'Almada) de fended, and pleaded not guilty

The Crown Solicitor said that on the

INTIMATIONS

LANE,

CRAWFORD & Co.

(ESTABLISHED) 1850),

Testao 1741),

day of the kidnapping the two girl who SHIPCHANDLERY

DEPT.

BIRKMYRE'S

PATENT

TARPAULIN

poor man she paid $100 for the girl. LARGE STOCK NOW ON HAND. she also said that the other mistress also bought the other girl for $140; because the brother was a poor man

Davidson; and that it is " unwarranted "exceptions the Bill in its general prin

were living with two mistresses who i is shown by the fact that the compulsory ciples seems to meet with cordial approval

had bought them as servant girls, nt | powers sought to be required are wholly The expression "Brems" saves the author The official members of the Legislative Wanchai, went out at noon on July 20th, unnecessary by reason of the circumstance

from committing himself to anything very Council as Civil Servants are already to being sweets, they having been given Cattested by both the Scoretary of State definite, but I shall be interested to know tongue-tied. But why muzzle the reatton cents by their mistresses. It seemed for the Colonies in England and by Hie

who Lre Lize persons whose cordial of the community! We all know that that when they were out they lost their Excellency the Governor in Hongkong) approval has blessed the Bill

In the certain amount of muggling and regimen way and they met. the defendant and that, with the exception of an infinit

next sentence prudence still sits heavily tation may not only be necessary, but asked him to show them the way home. esimal number, all those under obligation

upon the editorial pen. He tells us that useful, in war-time, but this measure is The man said he would do so, and he evidently not intended for war-time then took them on to a tramear. They to do an are already rendering service to

merely. The Governor, in a speech had a ride and then the defendant took the State and Colony in either ons of

which, to say the least of it, did not the girls, to Yaumati and back. Upon the Volunteer Forces or the Police Re-

have a very English sound, made this reaching Hongkong again the girls were This being so, one naturally turns to

clear when he foreshadowed a perpetual taken to the Wing On store, and, sont military régime after the war.

time afterwards, the man was arrested, the explanations anont the Bill offered

Then the extreme age-límit is evidently

along with the girls, near the Harbour by its sponsors to the Members of the

fixed so that everybody will always be

Offico. Legislative Council-with the startling! In dealing with the undertaking of under the military thumb, Forty, as One of the mistresses, when cross- resuit that it is discovered that His H.E. the Govenor as to reconsideration home, is considered a fair lirait for examined by Mr. Alabaster, said that Excelicacy the Governor, in intimating of the measure, the author informs us effective military service, and certainly she bought her girl (the elder one) from that he was not prepared to accept the that the "local Defence Corps is purely the limit in a dimate like this should be the girl's elder brother because he was. very modest and certainly most apposite War dicasure" I and so far as I can less. Even in times of stress, forty-five amendment suggested by the Chamber of gather a great many other persons in would be ample. Many of the business Commerce to the effect that the duration this Colony, disagree. And this does men of the Colony retire by the age of of the Bill should be measured by that happen to be the point. But since the fifty. What effective service can be of the War, gave sent to the following-author is so well-informed of the Govern- expected from men from forty-five to It had been suggested that it (the ment's intentions, he can, perhaps, tell us fifty-fivo! But even when it is admitted Bill) should only be for the period of why the words "for the period of the that men over fifty cannot be expected to do full military service their liberty the War, but he was not prepared to War" were omitted from a war measure.

to be accept an amendment to that effect. He

He next makes a rather remarkable is still bound-their duties are thought, after the experience of this statement:-"With that promise, as far lightened at the discretion of the O, C. F. Mon of forty-five to fifty-five, as free War, that we should hardly commit

as we are able to judge, the loyal sons such a retrogrado step as to go back of the Empire who have already been citizens in no way dependent on the in any part of the Empire to a condi- serving as Volunteers are satisfied. The favours of the O.C.F., would be of more service to the Colony as such than they tion whers universal service was not others do not count."

untrue, or cle it means that the Volun-could ever hope to be as effective military recognised as absolutely essential " Surely, upon reflection, His Excellency teers who are not satisfied with the will sen that the shove remarks represent prospect of reconsideration are not loyal the exact reverse of the true situation, and do not count. for what could possibly be more retro-gentleman on the horns of that dilemma, grade than that the result of this War to end Militarian should be to foster Universal Military Service, and thus enable a system such as that sought to be created by the Bill in question to fatten on the very vitals of those who have fondly imagined that they were expending their energies during the War to an entirely different ead.

FL.

#10W

That scheme of Universal Military Training for a limited number, years (Bay 18 to 21) No as to enable British subjreis to be daly equipped to meet a case of emergency would be a great desideratum goes without saying, but to extend that idea to a scheme of Universal Military Service such as is indicated in before the Legislative the Bill Council would be indeed a retrograde movement, and one that would, in course of time, go far to change the character of Great Britain's subjects for the worse. a direct and would alike constituto menace to their liberties and à detriment to their worth as subjects of that Empire which has done so much to uphold the rights of Freedom.

This is either

We can leave this

At this stage the Crown Solicitor said it was impossible to call the second mistress, as she was too ill to attend.

Sergt. Dorling was called to say that when he saw the woman she had su affection of the legs and was unable to walk..

The Chief Justice-How long ago was that four days, my lord:

And you have not reen her sineo-No my lord.

The Chief Justice remarked that that was most unsatistaetory. The Crown should have

done BoDisthing in 1 case like taat. A docter should have been sent, and the woman should have been seen that morning. For all they knew You have already dealt with another the woman might be quite well now. aspect of the measure. Among the many After this Mr. Alabaster made a sub- mission which produced a mild sensation objecta we are fighting for in this wat in Court. He said that he would suggest, song of us thought the crushing of milf as a result of bis cross-examination, a The editorial closes with an insinuatarism was one; instead of this we are certain course which might shorten the case. He would move that the prisoner tion that I wrote my letter to you of the

to have the whole male population from be discharged on the evidence given, 20th August from personal fear of con- scription for myself. That may or may eighteen to fifty-five in its clutches-which did not disclose the offence charged upon the indictment. The offence charged not be, but may I remind the author that Yours,

was that of unlawfully and feloniously I have at least had the courage to commit

taking away two female children, with intent to deprivo two persons having myself to something, and the deacency to avoid irrelevant personalities --I am,

lawful care of such children and posses sion of such children. EDGAR DAVIDSON. Hongkong, 2nd August, 1917-

etc.,

Henry Hallan, in refer: 18 to the sub- jection of the English Parliament to Military Authority-

[TO THE EDITOR OF

" LIBERTY.”

"THE BONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]

SI Referring to the Military Service Bill now before the Council, it would appear, from its contents, that the effect of the present war is to be the substitu- "Here my be said to have fallen thetion of British Militarism for German Legislative power and Civil Govern-

What do we say we are fighting for ment of England; which from this boar

till that of the Restoration had never The destruction of the German Military more than a momentary and precarious Machine; I have heard no mention ofà gleam of existence, perpetually inter- rupted by the sword.

substitute. Perhaps it's a "dark home being brought out on the QT. in thie secluded spot-Yours truly,

Those who have once bowed their

knee to Force, must expect that Fore will be forever their Master."

DOWN WITHIT

Des Voeux Road, Hongkong,

22nd August, 1917.

WOMEN.

"If has been proved in the clearest possible way,' added Counsel, **** that these two women did not have lawful enre of these children; these children were two slaves, and slavery has been abolished. It cannot be alleged in any of these Courts that these children were in the lawful custody of these two Whatever else may be charged, this indiet ment cannot now stand in the case of two staves. One hundred and forty-six They were bought to serve, or for any dollars and $100 was paid for them. other purpose, and they were sold as slaves, and slavery, as I have said, bas been abolished, and it is not lawful."

The Chief Justice remarked that it was a very common thing for servants to be "bought in that Colony.

Mr. Alabaster The Court does not allow it.

The Chief Justice added that someone must have the custody of such children

P.S.--Perhaps the Peace cranks" knew If the children were not slaves he assumed

I would also urge that it be borne in mind that Hongkong is not exactly situatel in the Temperate Zone, and that, is a climate such as holds sway here for over half the year, hard-working men at the age of 15 are really more advanced in Life's journey than those of the same age about it. at Home-is which respect 1 would add tha the Hume limit for liability for Military Service is not 53 but 45.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONG

DAILY PRESS."]

Shades of Fyn and Hampden defend

Finally, I would suggest that those who us from so retrograde a movement as-is would be prepared to exeliange their

SIR, M. Pecunious," in your now under consideration by the Members present status for that indicated in The Military Service Bill should remember of one of the many foster-daughters of that Military methods in regard to Ad- paper of to-day, speaks of the advantages- that Mother of Parliaments under whose ministrative affairs are, on occasion, of the Army Act. They are very poor liable to sacrifice a good deal to what is advantages when compared to the dir segis your courage and genius gave deemed to be the "expediency" of a almost all that we дог possess of situation and so override the equities advantages of the Act.

thereof in somewhat ruthless manner, It is very seldom that one is called to Liberty and the Power of Free Expan with result: at times the reverse of bene

ficent--witness the following incidents serve on a jury, and I am sure most of youched for by the Commission appointed us would rather serve on a jury then be by Parliament to enquire into the opera under the Army Act, tions in Mesopotamia, aul extracted by

sion,

Let those who at this juncturo have confided to their keeping the destinies of British subjects in this not unimport ant British Colony remember that the policy of Conscription as introduced inte Great Britain was only so introduced be cause of the fact that Voluntaryism, though responded to magnificently in the earlier stages of the War, failed in its later stages to produce the desired nutaber of men a situation which differs from that obtaining in this Colony-und, further, let them remember that the policy of Conscription so introduced is limited to the duration of the War.

Let them also remember that those who give cheerfully are apt to resent compul. sion when, as under present circum- stances, it is entirely unnecessary.

Let me quote the following from that great Constitutional writer. the lat. Mr. (Continued at foot of next column. Y

Does "I. M. Pecunious think that

me from the Report thereof published in the issue of The Times of the 27th Jane shopkeepers and others are such food last:--

When General Cowper, A.Q.M.G. as to give credit of over £10 to members of the Defence Corps when they know in Mesopotamia, energetically repre sented the need for more river full well the terms of the Army Act transport in January, 1916, the Yours faithfully, Commander-in-Chief, at the Vice.

roy's instigation, telegraphed

Please warn Geu, Cowper that

PAUPER.

Hongkong, Sud August, 1917.

if anything of this sort occurs, or [It is possible that "I. M. Pecanions I receive any more querulous or thought that all shopkeepers wight at petulant demands for shipping, I know the terms of the Army Act, and that shall at once remove him from the when they did know it might prove a serious force, and will refuse him any fur-hindrance to business.-ED., I.D.P..]. thar employment of any kind." "

2- Wien Major Carter represented

to Sir John Nixon the condition of the wounded after Ctesiphon, General Cowper, says:—

I threatened to put him under arret, and I said that I would get his Hospital Ship taken away from him for a meddlesome interfering faddist.Yours faithfully.

J. SCOTT HARSTON. Hongkong, 22nd Augost, 1917.

MUTINY IN ANTWERP.

A report from the frontier to the Tele grej confirms the rumours relating to the mutiny of three hundred German troops in Antwerp, who threw down their rifles when they were ordered to go to the Tres front. They were quickly overpowered and taken to the barracks, handcuffed.

that the mistresses would have the lawful custody of them.

Mr. Alabaster said that his examinations had clearly proved that the two girls were slaves, and was proceeding to quote from the Act to amend and consolidate the laws relating to the abolition of Slave Trading (Archbald, ALE 113 of 5, Coo. Atli, tection 2).

The Chief Justice remarked that the for taking such an objection proper time would be at the close of the case for the prosecution, and Mr. Alabaster theu resumed his seat.

The older girl said she relied on the prisoner to take her home again, and that was why she did not complain to

passers-by.

By the Chief Justice-She did not ToCeive any wages from her mistress. She once had some lucky money given her, but all she received in return

for her services was her chow."

to the Chief Justice, said that, of course, The mistress was recalled, and, in reply the girl did not receive any pay from her. as her elder brother had already received $100 for the girl.

What right had the brother got to sell her I don't know what right, but as he was poor he sold her. She added that the girl had no parents.

The Chief Justice Then her brother

traded her 1-Yes.

Then, as put by the learned Counsel for the defence, she is your davef~I do not know what you mean by slave Once the girl is sold to me she is my property. It is the custom among the Chinees to buy servants.

Witness added, in reply to further questions, that it was the custom that once a girl was bought ahe received 30 "It was also the wages whatsoever. custom for brothers to sell their sisters.

Mr. Alabaster said he thanked his Lordship for having made it so clear that the girl was a slave, tha The hearing was adjourned.

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.

No. 8, Largs ...

ISHERWOOD CIGARETTES.

HAND-MADE IN CAIRO.

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