1925-11-05 — Page 3

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RUBBER STEALING IN SINGAPORE.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 1925

SA GROWING EVIL REQUIRING DRASTIC TREATMENT: WHO IS THE RECEIVER OF THE RUBBER?

HIRED TAPPERS BECOMING HABITUAL THIEVES.

SALE OF A PONY.

RUSSIA'S POLICY IN CHINA. INTERVIEW WITH ME KARAKHAN." INTERESTING JUDGMENT IN CASE

FROM TSINGTAO. DAMAGES AGAINST H.B.M. CONSUL

IFROM A CORRESPONDENT OF THE *** MANCHESTER "OPARDIAN."']

Moscow.

Skianer

The political developments in China His Honour, Julgo Sie during the last year have excited lively Turner in H. Supreme Court at interest hare. The Soviet Government Shanghai, on October 24th, delivered has direct contacts with China in Mongo judgment in as action which has at The following, letter has appeared in is caught red handed, actually cutting lia and Mnachuris. The Government of tracted much attention in the local tree or emptying latex cups. That hap the vast, thinly populated territory known racing world. The case which was re The Straits Times:-

Sir,-Cannot something be done to put pens seldom because the spies are cuasas Oater Mongolia, which has its seat at cently heard at Tsingtao by His Lord. an end to this evil which is assumingning. So a good way cases fail for want Urga, has entered into a close political ship, was ons in which damages were alarming proportions and corrupting a of proof, and petty sentences are passed and economie alliance with the Soviet claimed by Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Graham race pony Union, although China's sovereignty over Taylor who had owned the once honest and industrious people In in the others, any, the business paya.

Regent's Park against Mr. "A G. Major, this territory is still nominally recognised. British Consul-General, a Mr. Hearse, pre-slamp days when prices were good there used to be a certain amount of

The squatter who used to work as a The Soviet and Chinese Governments now who auctioned the pony, and Mr. G. C. The circumstances were that the pony stealing confined to a few bad characters

hired tapper in the morning and feed his share the management of the Chinese Russell who was the purchaser. but to-day it is almost universal anung the Chinese; and it is nó exaggeration Pigs and cultivate his vegetables in the Eastern Railway, a line which possesses was put up for auction (on October 18th," to say that estates are losing hundreds of afternoon, is becoming a habitual thief, and the man who is making him that quired to put a stop to it but can this probably rolls around in a gorgeously sia's most direct link with Vladivostok sale, but nevertheless it took place, and ! be hoped fari In most cases it is a wasto expensive car, and owns a big rubber and the Far East and because it serves they, accordingly brought the present

pounds daily Drastic measures are re-

of time and money to prosecute as the Accused is invariably given the benefit of the doubt, gets off with a light sen-

tenge which is no deterrent as the fine is paid by the big man who also pays the thief's family a maintenance allow auce if he should be sent to prison.

THE MAY BEHIND THE SCENES.

That there is a big man behind the svents there can be no doubt, else how cold Chiness coulies, il innocent and „honest, afford to brief European lawyers to defend them. Where does the money

,come from?

"

Punishment of rubber stealers-alone will not stop stealing. If there were no re- ceivers there would be no stealing, or in- ducement to steal and so to stop it..we must get hold of the receivers and this is the difficulty. The receivers in chief are denter's or factory owners, perhaps oh, and the country swarms with their agents and sub-agents, in fact, it is quite an organized business. The methods em- „ployed are varied and too numerous to detail and stealing goes on night and day. ATTACK THE FOUNTAIN HEAD.

1

"HABITUAL THIEVES.

factory, and is one of the ornaments of the Chinese community

very considerable strategic and economic significance, because it constitutes Rus.

the rich, if undeveloped, agricultura country of Manctaria.

M. Karakhar, the Soviet Ambassadar to China, who has recently returned to Moscow on leave for two or three months, outlined his views on the Chinese situa tion in the "course of an interview. The Soviet Ambassador first of all expressed scepticism as to the results of the inter- national Tariff Conference in Peking.

It is, we fear, no mure than simple! matter of fact that the owners of certain rubber factories on the land are neither more nor less than receivers of stolen property--the employers and paymasters of the swarms of men, women and even children who do the actual thieving on their beball. The whole business is be

It is already clear" (he said)" that coming serious: it would take thousands of watchinen even on the small area of the conference will not satisfy China's Singapore to cheek the practice, and to fundamental demand for seal autonomy, employ then would raise the cost of pro. Possible minor concessions, such as Buction until even is. would cease to be raising of the conventional tariff rate to a profitable price. The consequence is twelve and a hall per cent, will be of that the estates have to, Rubmit not only little benefit to the Chinese people, be to the theft of their property but to wil cause most of the revenues from any such ful damage of their property, and the law increase would be attached for the par- remains unable to help them-is a littlements on Ching's unsecured loans.” annoyed, indeed, if they happen to make a charge which they cannot conclusively establish It used to be, something like that in the old days in the Far West, when borse stealing and cattle lifting wäre re- engnize lines of business, and Judge Lynch provided the only effective remedy.

REMEDY SOT IMPOSSIBLE.

But remedy is not impossible. Rubber is no use to a thief unless he can sell it, and there is po,real difficulty in making every producer of rubber or handler of

RUSSIANS IN CANTON ARMY.

Is it true that Russian officers 'bave

played a considerable role in organising and commanding the armed forces of the

Canton Government ?" M. Karakhan war

asked,

I bave often been asked that ques tion, and I am glad to be able to state the facts of the case," the Ambassador replied with a smile.

1924), with the object of satisfying a judgment debt against the plaintifs. The plaintiffs protested strongly against this

action. His Lordship his dismissed the case against the auctioneer of the pony. but awarded plaintiffs $750 against H. Consul and Mr. Russell, the pur- chaser.

M. P Wilkinson appeared for

Mr. Major, none of the other pariica being represented by counsel.

The conclusion of a lengthy judgment reads:-

I hold then that the seizure and salo were wrongful and judgment must there fore be for the plaintiffs. The usual form would be for returning the pony: but that is now impossible as it is known that some months after these events the per died.

1

As to the defendant Hearne; be merely acted as auctioneer: he is not a pro- fessional auctioneer; ho is n gentleman who voluntarily undertakes this work as a man with knowledge of ponies, etc. It is hard that he should be brought in: the pany was never in his possession, save as auctioneer. nor is there any idence that he delivered it to anyone

I cannot see why any judgment should „he entered against him, and I enter judg

ment for him with coste,

As to the defendant Bussell; he is in a different position, he deliberately bought

the pony on behalf of himself and others at a time when he knew there was a pro-

test, being made by the admitted owners. of the pony before the sale as to theright to sell. He bought at his own risk and there is no doubt that, had the pony remained with him, or under his control. an order could go for its return against

him.'

To the writer it seems that the only way to put a stop to this evil is to attack the fountain head by making him account Jar every ounce of rubber that passes through his hands, be he dealer or factory rubber keep records and account for are altogether about 30 or 35 Soviet citi.ceeds of the sale did not go for the

owner. Make every dealer, factory owner and planter keep books of account, a counting for every ounce of rubber that passes through his hands with a half yearly or quarterly stocktaking.

Let

there be also periodic surprise visits and

· checks of Rocks in addition to the usual half yearly or quarterly stocktaking. Do this and not only rubber stealing but smuggling will be reduced to a minimum

We bave Dealers' Licences and Licences to Store but they serve as a cloak for underground work. The writer knows of and can point out many small holdings which a few years ago employed a seat in a Ford car to take their produce to town once a month but now employ a ton Jorry twice a month. They have a few acres of rubber and a licence to store and so are within the law and nabody a touch them.

Chinese squatters til recently were a quick, hardworking and honest people They worked as tappers on rubber estates in the mornings and cultivated their vegetable gardens in the afternoon and reared pigi Fes do so now. Pig sties are empty and vegetable gardens uncul- tivated and neglected.-Rubber stealing is more profitable.

Several months ago I requested our Consul in Caston to furnish informatic on this point, and he replied that there every ounce that passes through his tens in Canton, of whom ten are serving hands. Every estate proprietor would be the Canton Government in various capa cities. These ten men, not all of whom, willing to do his part. One of the most by the way, are connected with the army. infamous things that happened in con- do not represent a very formidable mili nection with the introduction of the re-tary force. Moreover, it is scarcely neces sary to point out that other Chinese striction policy was the surrender made Governments have employed and are em to foolish and selish objections made by ploying foreign civil and military ad Singapore Chamber of Commerce about visers." freedom of the port and free transport of rubber on the island. Every estate in Singapore and Perang below a hundred acres can produce what it likes, and can sell three times as much as it produces if it can tap the trees on other estates to enhance its supply.

There are scores of absolutely honest small bolders, and also there are factories which would not knowingly allow a pound

дебя..

THE GOVERNMENT. ATTITUDE.

QUESTION OF DAMAGES. Adzo damages, it is to be remembered. that no une has suggested that the pro

benefit of the plaintiffs or their creditors. The pony cost, the plaintiffs 8500, its value must have been increased by its successes in October; even after the unsuccessful November meeting Mr. Zimmerman is willing to treat its valuo ns $500. At the same time I am not blind to the uncertain value of a race pony... A reserve of $500 at the auction. was axed after consideration. At the same time I feel confident that the pro ceedings of October isth were very likely to prevent people from bidding, know- ing the risks that might be run. It is impossible to take into account the pro- blematical winnings of the poor had it remained under the care of the plaintiffs. "As I understand the case of Edmon- tone. Mattali (34 L. J. C. P. 10) the fact that the mones obtained at the sale On October 18th was used for the

mitigate the damages. The plaintiffs aro entitled to an order for return of the pony, and as that is now impossible I fix its value at 8750 and give judg ment for them against the defendants Major and Russell for that amount with costs.

He went on to discuss the prospects of future revolutionary developments in China: "It is difficult to draw an exact ualogy between Russia and Chica in this no Chinese connection, because there. political group which now seems capable of playing the role of the Communist In general, political party in Russia. parties are up to count for less in the East than in the West. The example of of stolen rubber to pass their doors. But Turkey shows that the army may play an there are others, and it is with these important role in the establishment of acreditors of the plaintiffs does not others that we have to deal. In order new national State, and it is my impres to reach them we must call for accurate sion that the Kuomintang party; in co- retarna from. everyone, and make good operation with some army (it would be and had submit to surprise visits and premature to predict which of the Chinese investigations occasionally. That is, of armies), will constitute the decisive factor course, if we desire. stamp out robbery, in organising the new Chinese State." and give reasonable protection to honest men who are carrying on an honest busi-BADEK ON CHINESE CONDITIONS.

I find the story hard to understand: An interesting illustration of the Soviet It is not only the man of the house who

interest in China is the proposal to or especially remembering that the action is engaged in this trade but the whole

ganise & Sun Yat Sen University in of Mr. Major in forcing the sale on family, even little children are employed Almost certainly the first answer of Moscow under the presidency of Earl October 18th, expressly defeated the and taught and sent out to steal. Very Government to any proposals for a remedy Radek. (Many references to this Univer- object he had in view when be stayed often the man does not go out at all but would be imposmble" The good old ity have been recently made in the Daily the execution on October 18th. sedia bin children to do the stealing and saying. while there is a will there is a Press.] The University, which will open only attends to the removal of the rubber way," applies to this as to other matters. this winter, will offer political and himself What the future generations will

If the will to make restriction effective economic courses," naturally along Con i like anods no guess work-Yours, etc., in the Colony had been real in 1922, there munist lines, to some three hundred CHINA'S EXPORTS TO AMERICA.

DISGUSTED would have been a great deal less stealing Chinese students. Radek, who has been

and a great deal less sanggling than there relieved of his former work in the Com- TOTAL OF G.$125,707.362 FOR NINE

MONTHS OF THIS YEAR." DIFFICULTY OF DETECTION." ..

has been, Wo suffered from the fact that munist International because of differ Commenting upon the letter in a lead the Government here was not keenly ences of opinion with Zinovieff about the ing article the Straits Times wrote: eager to make the most of the policy proper policy of the German Communists, few years ago, even when the price was which has done so much for the country has recently been devoting almost all his high, very little was heard of stealing, I expected, and may even have hoped, attentain to the study of Chinese pro- because there was some difficulty in dis that the wisdom of its doubts would be blems, Modern commerce and indus. posing of the stolen property. Every demonstrated by the failure of the pro- try," said Radek in a recent talk with soderately large estate on the island sal-posals. So the checks upon dishonest the writer, "have struck some roots in fers now, and watchmen are almost use dealing were never made very drastic, the Chinese coastal provinces, but that less for their movements are shadowed, and the search for the men who quietly is all, the rest of the country is still too and an area of 1,000 or even 500 acres support the families of pugglers and backward to be drawn into a modern takes a lot of covering in the dark. De thieves who are in prison has never been revolutionary movement. The correct tection is hard even in daylight. We read very thorough."

policy for the Chinese Communista under the report made recently by one of the Granted fully and freely that there has these conditions is not to sim at an in- best knowu visiting agents in Malaya, on never been intentional slackness or con-mediate proletarian revolution, but so an catate a few miles outside Singapore.scious leaving of avenues along which the co-operate with the Chinese peasant cept fibres and wood (Class"20011-20016) As he walked round in the course of his dishonest may move securely, there is still masses on the common platform of oppori--G. $478,682 inspection, he heard whistling signals a very great difference between half heart- tion.to imperialism. being given, but never once did he scoed and whole hearted-enforcement of a

Tables have been compiled by the U.S. Consulate General at Shanghai showing the returns of the declared exports from China to the United States for the first nine months of 1925. A summary of them shows the following totals

Group 0-Animals, and animal pro- ducts except wool and hair (Class 101- 9239) G.838,134,600,

Group 1-Vegetable food products, oil seeds, expressed oils and beverages (Class 10311-1780))-G. $18,130,025

Group Other vegetable products ex-

Group 3 Textiles (Class 30011—39503) -G.$60,417,511," 40181-38724)—.343,317,

UEEN

SUPER

TO-DAY TI!! SATURDAY.

ATTRACTION EXTRAORDINARY.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

IN

HIS LATEST AND GREATEST COMEDY.

THE

one of the spics ar the thievca, and he system. It may he mere waste of energy While there is no indication that the Group Wood and paper (Class USE

knows that the estate is suffering pretty to urge strong action for the suppression Soviet Government contemplates embark heavily from thefts of latex while it is of the wholesale thieving which prevails,ing on any adventures in China, it makes collecting after the tapper has made his bat we do a simple duty in urging that no secret of its sympathy with the more action is necessary. Any man with half Nationalist and Radical elements in that It is a fact, too, vouched for by anea an eye can see that the system for con- country, as represented by General Feng who are doing their best to catch the trol of small holders is no system at all, Tu Heang and in still larger measure by thieves, that ruthless wounding of trees and that a few dishonest men connected the Canton Government The Boris taken place in the dark, and that valu with rubber factories can provide for all policy towards China is clearly based on able properties are being damaged in this the thieves in Singapore Also any man the assumption that sooner or later China way. As our correspondent points out, it can see that if the rubber factories were will abake off the last remains of foreign thief is caught, someone is ready to placed in the position of bonded ware tutelage. When this stage in China's bail him out, and when he comes before boss, so strong a check would be ap-development is reached Soviet diplomacy the soort a lawyer is present to defend plied that danger from them would prac hopes to reap the rewards of ita present Jim, and proof is difficult unless the man tically cease to exist.

policy.

Group Non-metallic minerals (Class 5001150590) G.379,492

Group 6Ores, metals and manufac tares, except machinery and vehicles (Class 60011--990).31,835,001

Group Machinery and vehicles (Class 70011-79381)-Vil

Group B-Chemicals (Class 80021- 87510)--G.418,835,

Group's Miscellaneous Articles (Class 9010100099) — C.#6,601,812

Gold The grand total amounts to: Gold 8125,707,362.

GOLD RUSH,

TIMES & PRICES

230 p.m. 3.16 p.m. 7.15 p.m. 9.15 p.m.

$1.00 80, and 40 cents. $1.50 $1.00 and 60 cents

$1.00 80, and 40 cents.

.82.00, $1.20 and 80 cents.

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