1924-01-29 — Page 5

Page

CORRESPONDENCE. PIRACY PREVENTION,

[TO THE EDITOR OF '* THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. "I

(Place: Bierbra Boys' School,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 99ra, 1924.

CLAIM AGAINST A BANK. COUNTER ALLEGATIONS OF FOR

GERY AND FRAUDULENT

INTENT.

CHINESE MERCHANT'S CHEQUE TRANSACTIONS,

Before the Chief Justice and a Special Jury an interesting case opened in the Supreme Court yesterday concerning the sun of 872,668 which a finu of Chinese merchants claimed from the local branch of the Bank of East Asia.

I will here, frankly, confess that, I was very doubtful of any real desire to cap. ture-pirates concerned in these piracies, or any intention to die so and bring them to justice. I now, gladly, place on record the fact that those doubts are partially, removed. I must, howevnir, place on rs. buffingkong) Teacher to wh year-old Hongkong boy: cord. also, the fact that those double will What would the pirates do if they put out, be completely remore! til all of the pirates have liren captured, and some of barbed wire round the bridges of river them hung. They can be captured; it is steanines, and grills and armed Indians!

not a difficult matter, and should be Boy: Jure na they hate dono with necomplished promptly, to produce the half-a-dozen of them; sunal all, they carry warning to any more would-be pir testa alter their mind on the mattor. and run away and if aupons penesty. The m

Plaintiffs, Messrs. Tai Wo and Co., There are two claimants to the control merchants, 1, Eastern Street, were re kill them dead.

Teacher:

of the Government of Kwangtung Pro presented by Mr. F. C. Jenkin (instruct Quite right, dearie, but if they made them put steel wheel-houses Vince (the claims of the mythical Governed by Messrs. Lo and Lo); while Mr. and other stool houses with little holes for ment at Peking may be ignored), viz. Eldon Potter, K.C., and Mr. Campbell Indians inside to shoot through, what Sun Yat Sen and Chan King Ming. Each Prosser (instructed by Messrs Deacon, certainly holds away in portions of the Harston and Shenton) appeared for the would the piratey do then?

Province.

defendant Bank. Boy: Use time bomby and stink-pote and blow them up.

Teacher: Trae again, dearie, but what if a Xaval patrol boat came along just as they started to kill and atendi

Boy: If they thought there was lose than twenty men on the patrol boat they would shoot them and put all the loot on her and take it to Shanmi or Coline.

Teacher: Yes, I suppose they would dearie; but what if the patrol bant had 100 of the Surrey Regiment on her and 100 bhu-jackets i

Boy: Being dark, they would throw all their weapons away and he down with the other passengers and pretend to sleep, and if anyone woke them up they would swear they were iznocent and know nuing about it.

Teacher: Weil, if you aren't a marvel, dearie; but do you think they could End enough men and patrol boats so as to

have one for each river-bait?

It appears that some of the piraus have taken refuge is one portion and some in another; so the above two gentlemen should each be called upou to hand over thase in their respective spheres of power, or domains, Failing than this, they should both be reckoned as piratical leaders and treated accordingly and all claims to be considered patriali tefers 'gnored.

If the Government of Hongkong really desires to capture the pirates now at large-which, in ring of the fact of the way they are dilly dillybag with the matter. I do not helite-why is it they have Failed to offer a reward, for infor- matinn leading to the arrest of thewo men? They are not broke.

T.

4

The Special Jury comprised: Messrs.. Pearce, P. Toster, J. Hennessy Seth, W. Nicholson, I. E. Parkinson, T. Arthur, and J. McArthur.

THE "TAI LEE" PIRACY. KIDNAPPING AMERICAN-CHINESE MERCHANT'S PLEA FOR HELP." Amongst those kidnapped from the 5.3. Tai Lee on Sunday week, when she was pirated, was an American-Chinese red- taurant keeper and his son, aged 20, wha were returning to their nativa · country. for the Chinese New Year. The afortu nate father has a relative in Hongkong in the person olgan imports and exporta merchant at No. 291, Des Vans Rout Central. To this merchant the father has addressed a letter stating that be and detained by sailors his son are being (pirates) aid asks him to find some money for their ransom.

This letter was posted in Canton, but bere no address and po, date

ALLEGED "TAI LEE PIRATES CHAROED.

" FOUR MEN IN COURT.

According to documents filed it appears that between September 6th and October

Four men were charged yesterday 7th, 19, the plaintiffs paid various sums into the bank, amounting to $101,800. This is admitted by the defendants: The morning before My J. & Wood, that plaintiffs state that after ranking certain they with others not in custody, or piratically and feloniously assault the withdrawals there should have heer the January 21st, whilst on the high seas did sum of 272,663 standing to their credit. but the defendants claim that the balance passengers and crew then on board the was only 8085, which amount they have 8.3. Tai Lee and steal from them valu. paid into Court. In a afidavit, Mr. Liables, the value of which is unknown. Tse Fong, the sub-manager of the Bank, The defendants are Tang Họi (94) a says that in addition to the withdrawalsailor, Lee Shan (25) a sailor, Lan Ming aaned by the plaintiffs, there were two (2) a hawker, and Chan Cheng (33) a sins, of $35,000 and 337,000 respectively, carpenter.

Mr. T. H. King. Deputy Superinten- paid out on cheques dated the 25th and with October, 1995, but to this the plain-dent of Police, appeared to prosecuto, tiffs have replied that they never drew and said that two of the men were arrest. such cheques, and that if such sams were ed in a boarding-house at Canton follow- paid out, then the signatures and chops the disclosure of their address in 2 must have been forgeries and that the letter received by the family of no of without them. The seizure of this letter occurred wrongfully and

in a raid carried out by Sub-Inspector Cotton at No, 38, Aberdeen Street where A food the third man, described hawker on the Tai Ler, was also arrested. was taken at One of the prisoners Tsimtsatsu and had been idéntifed as în carpenter on the Tai Lee. He returned to Hongkong after the piracy rad when he was arrested a large sum was found on him which had been accounted for yet, The witnesses were being tent for from The Magistrate formally remanded the Kongmoon, and a remand was required. case for one week

There are plenty of good men in the Police Force able and willing to take the piracy matter in hand, if piten a chance. Failing om prompt action. it is time Boy: My father is a captain in a big liner for the higher ups to be set aside and and he told me that all the Merchant make room for letter men. Ofice loafers service, both large and small, were are no asset to any Police Force. The defendants garded as common carriers at law, just requisite qualifications for the job is authority paid out on cheques which were as if the large were horse-carta and the knowledge of Chinese ways and modes forged,

mal denkey-carts, and I think you may of thought and some ordinary, horse After hearing arguments from both as well put a policeman to watch every

sides as to which should open the case, motor-lorry and hand-care that patrols

His Lordship decided that onus of proof Hongkong's directs as try to put a patrol hoat to watch each donkey-cart. Besides,

lied with the defence.

sense.

Sorig fool, rogue, or imbecile has sug gested the commercialization of the piracy

our Nary have enough to do to protect | vogue as à cure for it. He wouki have The question was, he said, whether the

us in war-time, the same as they did in the German War.

I

Teacher: Here, cat this bun, dearie. think I can get you through your Oxford Matriculation before those other kids, but I want to ask rou another, question and it's this:

What if Mr. Sutherland built a garage for all the donkey-cares to come and go from, and they took every package and pared from every one of the crew and sengers, and locked them up in n strong-room: and locked up the cargo and the police came and smarched fockers and and hands in crew's quarters; then the drawers and lockers in all the cabins. then the steward's deck and engine-rooms for arms, and then massaged every one of tan crew and passengers (without taking their clouts off, either) to see if they had arms, and the Government closed an all biding-plates and linings of houses, 100, what would the pirates do now, Hear 1

some insurance company make a hand- some profit out of it. I do not know where he derives bis inspiration, or whe ther the credit is solely due to him. How ver, it would. probably, work out about the same way as an insurance company which was investigated by the Govern ment some years ago in the United Staton The officials of the company admitted that they had no great pojection to fires, as they found that the more fires there were tha more business came in to them, as the paid all claims. "The company was making handsome profits, as is usual in the insurance line, but the profits did A complete not go to the shareholders,, investigation proved the fact that the officials of the company and their inspec tors were in league with a gang who were insuting houses and property above their value, removing the goods, and burning the empty houses. So we are to have as insurance company provided with fast armed launches Oh, what an opportu nity! What gerius!

Mr. Potter thercapon outlined his ease. Bank was indebted to this customer at the present time to the extent of $72.000 Plaintiff on September 6th, or not. 1999, opened an account with the Bank. He, deposited $10,000, on behalf of his hrm, gave his specimen signature and also deposited a specimen of the firm's chop. He received a cheque book, and from time to time operated on that account. date-September 6th, 1999-was the first important date in the ense: Then came October 25th and October 27th, 1922. when cheques were drawn onsplaintiff's

This

account in favour of the Yangtse Trad. ing Company, which no longer exists in These cheques, submitted the Colony. Counsel, wore cheques of the plaintiff firm, drawn on the Bank by the plaintiff firm, and properly paid by the Bank: If that was so, plaintiff, in attempting to secure again the sum of $72,000, was guilty of fraudulent conduct.

Counsel then dealt with the constitution of the plaintiff firm. There were three Bog: Ever since the T'ai On piracy in

partners, plaintiff and two gentlemen 1914 I bure Inid awake finking and fink When the brigands, some months ag, said to be living at Canton. The firm ing sometimes till flee o'clock in the in Shantung, raided a train and carried was described as merchants, hut, the morning, and that is the only was to pre-off a number of foreigners into the books did not indicate any

extent of vent piracy My father and Mr. Feather mountains, and Held thea for ransom, we

business on their part. One book show stone says Ho, too.

had the same flood of senaries suggested four transactions relating to the pur Teacher: I will put you in Missions as to what to do.

The samo pro-

chase of gold dollars, these transactions Margaret Bondfeld's office to-morrow, testationa on behalf of the Peking bring the firm & aet profit of $130 odd. dear-Yours respectfully.

Government" as to its inability to chtaio. This was the only trade or business the the release of the captives, prolonged till defence had been able to discover from the true remedy was decided on- small

the firm's books. Examination of the armed foreign force to be sent in to "current book and general ledger bad attack the brigands fearful stronghold: shewn no entries relating to wages paid Ac once all dificulty faded away and

to fohis, etc., except on three different their relse was obtained.

dates the sum of 80 paid to a cook and the sum of $39 paid under the general heading "wages. That was all the books showed.

RELIABLE.

PIRACY ON THE CHINA COAST

I would call attention to the following significant facts, viz. —

A FILIPINO STOWAWAY.

Mr. Food at the Magistracy A young Filipino was charged before

President MeKinlay. When questioned Yesterday with stowing away on the by the Magistrate he said that he went on board after medical examination in the belief that he was to be signed on as a member of the crew, also to appear before the Shipping Com. know, on the other hand, that he had misioner at Manila. He claimed also to hold a crew's liberty pass and said he had handed this to the Chiaf Officer.

He did not

The Chief Officer, who was in the Court, admitted this, but said it might have been "bluff."

His Worship said he believed the man's story, adding that he had been informed turning the man to Manila. He ordered that the Company was responsible for re- the defendant's discharge,

open it, and the two cheques from the plaintiff firni

The chops on the cheques said to be forgeries looked the same as the genuine chop to the naked eye, but when under

a microscope (added Mr Potter) were found to be different, and that was just was to he expected frame a man what

On Sunday, 20th January, at about 7 p.m. the ss, Triler left Hongkong for Hongkong Governments have to deal with of Octojer 18th, 1922. On that day, be going to say later that the cheques were

Kongmoon.

at Canton,

Already the Chire foreign newspaper Government organ, has taken up the piracy matter, and stated what a difficult problem the Chinese and in this piracy epidemic and that mutual efforts should be engaged in to solve the difficulty. Sure, they will co-operate, and help pool the public in the matter, if allowed to do so.

OLD TIMER

S.-There is only one true remedy for piracy-make it unprofitable, Catch The giraton; all the rest is pure D'MA

LATEST PIRACY.

EXPERIENCE OF THE S.S. "SALEN.”

There were

Bank officials were then called in regard to plaintiff's alleged application for a new cheque book, banking procedure in such matters, ete

Counsel then dealt with the happenings

used the firm's real chop but dne very said, as application form was received furgeries. Lau Se Yuen would not have About midnight, immediately after

by the Bank from plaintiffs for a new much like it, so that he could claim it was ving Wangioon, the Captain of that

cheque book. This was despatched the a forgery. But the signature on the vessel was mortally wounded by the boats

same-day in a sealed envelope in accord cheques was Lau Se Yuen's (he would wain (who fired six shots from a revolves

ance with the ordinary routine of the argue) and that was quite safficient for into him) and, in a dying condition, was

Bank. The thit coolie obtained a re-

the firm to be bound by it. They intend- dragged into a closet. Appareatly this

cerpt for the look, signed by the plain calling Mr. E. Dovey, Guvern was signal for a planned general

The signature on the applicationment Analyst, who had heen accepted as piration attack on the vasgel by the

form, according to plaintiff, was a for an expert in handwriting, who would say gery. Yet not only did the alleged forger that the signatures en the disputed Bailors and confederates who had gene aboard her in Hongkong. The boatswain

imitate the signature of plaintiff, but he cheques were those of Lau Se Yuen. seems to have been head-pirate, dr, at

went out of his way to forge the body of least, one of the leaders. It is needless

the document, making some remarks on to give further details of the piracy, as

the form also in plaintiff's handwriting.

The other important dates, continued they have appeared fully in the papers.

Mr. Potter, were those ch which the

Mr. Jenkins, in the course of cross- On Monday morning, 21st January. "Old Timer pened an article calling-

alleged forged cheques were presented at examination of the Bank's assistant the Bank. On September 6th, plaintiff cashier, submitted to his Lordship, the attention to the inexcusable delay in the capture of pirates who were guilty of The 8. Salen returned to Hongkong "paid in in notes $10,000.

original cheque book issued to plaintif attacks on foreign shipping. On Monday yesterday morning after being pirated various other payments in and payments when he opened his account at the Bank. afternoon be handed the letter to the whilst aground on a mud-bank in the out. On October 23rd a sum of $17,000. This cheque book, said Counsel, still cop- Editor of the Hongkong Daily Press, and Canton River, which was briefly an was drawn by the defendant in favour tained the application forin which accom it was published in your issue of Tuesday tonneyd in yesterday's iue of the Daily of Sang Him, which left the account with panied the book. Witness could not say a balance of $165. On the same day how anyone could have got hold of the morning In that same issue appeared Prers."

85.000 was paid in, giving a credit bal application form alleged to have beca the first particulars of the attack (I was

It appears that the *.. Saleh, a in Kongmoon on Tuesday and early that Swedish steamer chartered by Mesareance of 85,165. On the 25th there was signed by plaintiff Application forms a large payment in of notes and a draft, were never sent to customers separately. morning received the news there).

Dodwell & Co., Jeft" Hongkong with On Friday morning there appeared in the "South China Morning Post." under cargo of coal for Canton last week. She totalling altogether $31,000, making the Only cheque book holders were in a posi The plaintiff' the hending The Ka Ngo Piracy-oft Canton at six o'clock on Saturday account in credit to the extent of $36,155. tion to obtain holde

night.

When five miles from Escape On the same day the first of the disputed cheque book was one of the old style. Smart Poller Work, details of the cap: Creek, shots were heard and four armed theques were drawn, namely, one in The application form came from a differ- ture of five men and a woman. concerned men appeared suddenly on the bridge. favour of the Yangte Trading Company ent style of book. It would be as impos

for $25,000. in the piracy of that vessel.

sible for a bank employé to abstract an They ordered the pilot to put the vessel

I contend said Mr. Potter,

that. The pirates, in the cure of the Tailer, hard to starboard, and a little later the

application form from a cheque book as whoever draw that cheque had a very it would be for anyone outside the Bank. carried of twenty of the passengers to

intimate knowledge of the plaintiff's to do so.. be held for ransom. They apparently, Vessel was on a mud bank. At the same

necount."

A chit coolic of the Bank of East Asia did not carry off the Compradore of the time about co nen, all armed, swarmed the verge from junks. The pirates chip or any of the ship's staff to be also fast no time in looting the ship, letting alleged forged cheque for 834,000 was livery of ebeque hooks.

on to

On the 27th, he continued, another said that one of his duties was the de- He took the beld for ransom. Why not

off their fire arms indiscriminately n Up to the capture of these five men and intervals, Fortunately, no one was in drawn in favour of the Yangtse Trading cheque book to the Tai Wo Company na n women on December 14th, January 5th and 8th respectively no captures of pirates jured. The loot must have been dis. Company, the very day the plaintiff firm's October 10th, 1922, together with a re-i

When Look place, so far as I have learned. As Appointing to the pirates as this is balance had been brought up to $37,605. ceipt. The book was in. & sealed en

The receipt was louse. the drawer of the cheque in question witness arrived at the plaintiff firm's pre this vessel the Ea Nya was pirated as stated, cording to the report made Counsel here emphasised his point that velope.

again displayed, intimate knowledge of mises in Eastern Street he knocked at recently ad December 6th and the first by the Chief Officer (Mr. Bederstron) to

the Water Police, ng $1,600.

the plaintif firm's affairs. arrest was made on December 14tlr we.

the door, banded in the cheque book, The pirates, on leaving the vessel, took may consider this smart work and giro

chit book and receipt form, and was told due credit for it. It shows what can be with them the pilot and three members

to wait outside. The chit book ahd sign- done.

Shortly after the pirates

ed receipt were returned to him and But what of the piracies which the stranded ship H.M.S. Moorhen

taken back to the Bank. Witness recog took place months before this!

on the case of the Tailes, this perfor- arrived on the scene and stood by until

nised the receipt shewa him in Court as the one he received from the representa maner was beaten. She was pirated on

tive of the Tri Wo Company. The re- the night of January 20th; on January

ceipt and chit book were chopped and 25th there was word of the capture of some of those pirates, again showing what

signed by someone in the firm pihee. can be done when there is a real desire

This witness' evidence concluded the and effort to do it.

duy's hearing.

of the crew.

the vessel was re-floated. ¡

a

It is thought that the pirates boarded the vessel at Canton, mixing with number of stevedore's coolies who were on board. A moss-bay on the ship has been. detained by the police on suspicion.

The Yangtse Trading Company, he said, were in the swindle. This Company, on October 23rd oponed an account with the Asia Banking Corporation for, be alleged. the purpose of the swindle. They paid in $1,000 and "on the 24th drew out $650, leaving, of course, $150. On the 25th the disputed cheque of $35,000 was paid into their account. The only transactions in the account were the $1,000 paid in to (Continued at foot of next"column).

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