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CANTON CONVERSATIONS.

CONSTITUTION OF CANTON GOVERNMENT.

THE STANDING COMMITTEE. (BY OLIVER T. BRKAKSPEAR.)

F THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH, 1925

literary man in Chini; General Chu Pui Tak, Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, and Dr, C. C. Wu, Mayor of Canton, a member of the Standing Committee.of the Government and also a member of

MORE BORDER INCIDENTS. POLICE FIRED AT AND COOLIES ROBBED OF RICE.

WEST POINT TRAGEDY.

SUICIDE OR HOMICIDE? CORONER'S ENQUIRY CONCLUDED,

+

Reports of two further incidents occur.

On November 8th, a Chinese, named ring on the border of the New Territory reached Police Headquarters, yesterday. Fong Kui, was found dead in his cubicle at No. 11, Sung Hing Street, West Point, In one instance police on patrol duty with his throat cut in a most gruesome the Military Council and of the Political were fired at by strikers and the same manner and a Chinese chopper lying near Perhaps little purpose will be served Committee. Mr. Lin Sun, a Fukienese, day a party of coolies carrying a quan-sim. now in tracing the series of events who was formerly President of the tity of rice were intercepted by pickets which led to the estrangement

be-Senate at Peking and is now head of the and ordered to take it into Chinese

territory. tween Canton and Hongkong. This Canton Diplomatic Mission to Peking: may safely be left to the Committees Mr. Wu Hon Man, the Minister of Foreign which have been appointed to thresh out Affairs, Mr. Sun Fp and several other the whole problem. I discussed the sub- well known men are also members. jest frankly and in the greatest detail

with Dr. Wu and that is, I think. Sufficient evidence that the position can be reviewed quite fairly and dispas sionately on both sides. Mistakes have been made unquestionably. There has been all through a tendency to jump hastily at conclusions without sufficient evidence. Policies, it may be argued, both here and in Canton, bave been shaped sometimes without real know- ledge of the facts.

This Commission or Council, as I have

i

by a hullet.

•

A

Yesterday afternoon at the Central Magistracy, Mr, R. E. Lindsell, kitting as Coroner with a jury, concluded the en- quiry-commenced the previous week-- into the circunstances of the unfortunate man's death.

Dr.'

From the report received, it appears that on Monday morning, about 10.30 Lance-Sergeant Simpson and Lauce-Ser geant Whitby were patrolling along the

The previous week the evidence show- aid "ix the nominal head of the Govern bank of the Shum Chua river, on the ed that the polien were satisfied at the British side, when four or five shots were time of the discovery of the bedy that meat. Bat some of the members, as we

fired at them by strikers, stationed on the the man had committed suicide, but know, are away; some of the titles or Chinese bank of the river. The police, medical evidence given by Mr. E. P. positions might almost be regarded as

who were not hit, replied to the fire by Minett (Government Bacteriologist) honorary. Therefore out of this Com-discharging about 20 rounds and it was favoured the opposite opinion. mission a Standing Committee of five thought that one of the strikers was hitainett then stated that from the posi members has been formed, which, in the Executive Committee

On the same day, about noon, a party effect. is.

of coolies conveying about fifty piculs of although it supervises legislation and also executive administration. This Com-rice from Liu Fok to, Lok Ma Chau were mittee meets every morning at 9 or 3.30 intercepted about halfway between these and signs all decrees and, therefore, may two points by three strike pickets who quite fairly be styled the Government.

were armed with rifles and had evidently crossed the river from the Chinese side while it was possible that the deceased The members are:

to the British bank. They ordered "the had committed suicide, it did not seein frightened ecclics to carry the rice across likely, and he favoured the theory of the river into Chinese territory, where homicide. they confiscated it.

Mr. Wong Chel Were Chairman. Dr. C. C. Wa.

Mr. Tan Yen Kai. Mr. Koo Yung Fan. Mr. Lin Sun.

in addition there are the Provincial and Municipal Governments. At the head of the Municipal Government is Dr. C. C.

I may be wrong but I am inclined to believe, that my visit to the Southern Capital was welcomed by Dr. W. He half suggested that such visits, had not bgen made with sufficient frequency and throughout the whole of our conversation the conviction became more firmly em bedded in my mind that the most un-

The, chairman of the Provincial fortunate phase of our commercial asso-Wa. riation with our neighbours is the lack Government is Mr. Kao Yung Fan. Thus co-ordination between the various bodies of a real liaison between the two com- ruunities. 'I am not speaking gow of is secured. The Municipal Government is concerned chiefly with "Cauten. The official communications, they are "ormat

Provincial Government naturally adminis

of

CHRISTMAS MAIL FIGURES.

RECORD MAILS.... fieference has already been made in the ily Fress to the Christmas rush at the General Fest Office and the despatch of the Home letter and parcel mails, but it is interesting to note that the Christmas and cold-blooded at the best of timesters an area co-terminus with that con- registered letter

and package mail but of the absence of friendly intercourse trolled by the Nationalist Government. despatched last Saturday by the 5.5. and real understanding of the points of but the Nationalist Government, in Hokusna Mary was a record. The num- view of all parties. Without such inter-addition to its general supervision of theber was 4,218, as against 3,078 last year.

As regards the Christmas parcels mail course, misconceptions and irritating in work of other and subordinate bodies. cidents which arise, as in the course of takes charge of all negotiations with despatched on November 14th, the num years they are bound to do. almost neighbouring provinces. The comparison her of, parcels sent was, 2,068, which is may not be exact but the Nationalist also A record, the figures for the previous, inevitably become magnified out

Committee may be likened to the Cabinet fiye years being 1920, 2.838 parcels proportion to their real importance, the members of which are given port 1821, 2,707 parcels; 1922, 2713 parcels; There has been too much aloofness in folios covering different spheres of work. 192, 3,050 parcels and 1031. 3.030. In The Cabinet is head of both the civil the week between November 8th and the past, and if the Committees in con-

1 have November with, the parcels ofice of the ference can devise some means of break- and military administration.

dealt with the civil side. On the General Post Office deals with over 6,000 ing this down they will be doing an.

military side there is a Military Council parcels. In addition to the 3,069 parcels inestimable service. The newspapers,

which occupies a position in some res referred to above, there were £31 inward perhaps, should help more than they have

pects similar to that of our Imperial parcels by the mail from London, 1,200 done, but owing to the dear old British Defence Committee. It deals, however, inward and transit parcels from Cantor, phlegm and the wonderful, but hope-not only with military policy and military 231 inward parcels from Shanghai, 460 lessly mistaken, belief that many of our administration but also directs active parcels in transmission from Shanghai, aa merchants and officials still retain in military operations. It comprises civil well as parcels despatched to other places the worn out proverb "the least said the and military members, the military who in China, Japan and America. Kochest mended," the papers oftea work represent the general military staff being at a disadvantage. I believe the time has the commanders of the five army corps. long since passed when we can solve our troubles and difficulties either by xitaply waiting until the clouds roll by" or by putting our faith in such maxims as the one quoted, but there are numbers to whom no other policy ever occurs,

THE GOVERNMENT...

I wonder how many residents of Hong. kong thoroughly understand the form of

The civil members of this Council are

practically the same as the Standing Committee of the Government.

USE OF THE PARCELS POST AT CANTON

tion of the wounds in the throat, their depth, the position in which the decenipu was lying and the force which would be required to deliver a blow with the chop- per to cause such severe wounds, it was highly improbable that the wounds were

self-inflicted.

He further atated that

Yesterday evidence was given by a number of Chinese witnesses who occu- piel bunks in the same room as deceased. Their evidence went to show that the deceased was on good terms with the other occupiers of the door and that there had been no quarrels. On the night in question the door was bolted and until the morning, when they went out to drink tea, it was not opened again. As far as they knew no stranger had entered the room. One witness stated that deceased had complained previously of ill-health.

Toe Coroner, addressing the jury, said it was for them to consider, in finding their verdict, whether it was a case of suicide or homicide. Al: the evidence, apart front that given by Dr. Minett, went to show that it was suicide. From the evidence given by the Chinese witnesses there was no reason to believe that deceased's throat was cut by someone else, and if that was the case the only possible conclusion they could come to was that in a fit of delirium he inficted the awful injuries upon himself. They the evidence of Dr. Minett, which was to had, however, to take into consideration the effect that although it was possible the wounds were self-inflicted it was highly improbable.

After a short retirement, the jury re- turned a verdict that "deceased' com mitted suicide whilst of an unsound mind.'

The jury comprised: Messrs. Charles Bentley (foreman), R. E. Macdougall and

OBITUARY.

Owing to difficulties of getting freight down from Canton, the Chinese are send- ing goods by parcels post and an average A. E, Bertram... There is also another Committee, of of over 200 parcels a day are being re- very considerable influence, of which ceived in Hongkong, The Home parcels notice, must be taken. This is the mail closing to-morrow will also be a Kuomintang or Party Committee.

heavy one as Dearly 400 parcels have Government in Canton represents

already been received. Kuomintang and naturally this Party has considerable power over Govern- ment decisions. As in England Mr.

The the

MISSING CASHIER.

A Chinese cashier, who has been em-

MR. H. FIGGE

The death occurred in Shanghai Inst Thursday, of Mr. Heinz. Figze, manager of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, who was a recognised leader of German social and business life in Shanghai and a former member of the Municipal Council. The

Government now established in South Baldwin would probably consult the China. Dr. Wu explained it to me and Unionist Party and the Party Agents be I will try to sketch it in broad outlipe.fore adopting any important line of policy ployed by the Hongkong Engineering and | N.-C. Daily News slates that the de-

Over and above everything is what we

o in Canton the Government keep in Construction Company for just over three may call the Nationalist Commission of

touch with the feeling in the Kuomi-Jears, has disappeared,

It is alleged that he has absconded with Government, comprising sixteen mem-

monies belonging to the Company, which bers. The Chairman is Mr. Wong Chei tang The great central committee of the Party comprises about 2,000 members

are stated to amount to just over $2,000. Wei, and other members include Mr.

but there is a small Executive Party Koe Yung Fan, Chairman of the Pro-Committee in South Chine upon which. It is learned that the amount missing is vincial Council; Mr. T. B. Soong, the the members of the Standing Committee covered by securities, but a full investiga Minister of Finance; Mr. Tan Yen Kai, of the Nationalist Government have tion of the books of the firm has not yet the Minister of War, the son of. a one- seats. This body has a great deal to say been completed. time Viceroy; he was formerly Governor with reference to the conduct of affairs

of Hunas and is perhaps the best known generally.

CANTON DELEGATES. HONGKONG BUSINESS MEN. SẢY

"GOOD-BYE."

summer in Germany, and returned less ceased with his family had spent fast than a fortnight ago to Shanghai Short- ly after leaving Yokohama Mr. Figge was taken ill with an abdominal complaint, the nature of which the doctors have becu unable to ascertain, but which in the end developed into septic poisoning of the intestines, which, was the immediate cause

of death

Mr. Figge, who was be years of age, leaves a widow and a son, 19 years of nge, for whom the deepest sympathy will the felt

Our Shanghai 'contemporary says that

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BOOKING.in all the affairs of the local German

"A LITTLE BIT OF FLUFF,"

gates to accept a free passage to Canton.

"A correspondent writes:-A perusal of The offer was accepted with thanks.

The Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, on, be- the booking list of "A Little Bit of balf of the Chinese community, wished Fluff divulges the extraordinary fact them every fuccess on their return to that when the Hongkong public makes up its collective mind to go to a show it After a sojourn of five days duration Canton.

starts to book at the end, and work back in the Colony, the Canton commercial delegation left yesterday morning for On Mr Kotewall being asked"yesterwards. Probably by now the last night Canton, and a very cordial leave-taking day as to the probable date of the de. is all booked up, but as one works back. marked their departure.

parture of Hongkong's official delegation wards one finds that on the first might

THE HONGKONG DELIGATZS.'

community Mr Figge took an active part, and his genial and kindly disposition en- deared him to all its members, while he had a wide circle of friends among those of other nationalities, all of whom will deeply regret his death.

to Canton, he replied that this would not there are not far short of half the seats The commercial interests of Hongkong were well represented on the wharf, those be known until word was received from stili to be obtained. That is truly strange, Canton as to the selection of the city's present including Sir Paul Chater, the Hon Mr. F. H. Holyoak, Mr. D. G. Moficial delegation.

Chinese commercial circles are of the Bernard, Mr. G. M. Young, Mr. F. A Perry, Mr. John Arnold, Hen, Mr. R. H. opinion that the delegation may be called Kotewall, Dr. S. W. Tao, Mr. Ho Kwong, upon to go on Monday next.

Referring in terms of high appreciation to his work on the Municipal Coupeil fron the year 1910, our contemporary says The outbreak of war in 1014 could not but alter the position of affairs in i com- munity such as this, and the spring of term of office. The war, however, made 1915 saw the termination of Mr. Figgo's no difference to his loyalty to the Council, and it is aaid that on one occasion when British employees going home to enlist, who made -it possible difficulty was raised about one of the At Home, the First Night is an occasion, it was Mr. Figgo It shows a strange hanging back on the for him to obtain the necessary leave.

It was the same after the war. Shortly part of the Hongkong Public who do not after he returned to Shanghai a party of often get such an opportunity as it Volunteers in the course of manoeuvres precludes a second visit. However that received permission to use his garden for the purpose of an ambascade, quite un.. The 6. Patchen arrived from Canton is the Public's misfortune-and their aware whose garden it was At the close

the fault 1 What interests the writer is the of the operations... officer in charge yesterday afternoon and a gentleman who fac 1f any of the students of psycho thanked Mr. Figge for his kindness and has kept in very close touch with the logy, of whom there are many in Hong courtesy, and Mr. Figgs replied that he developments predicted that the terms to kong, can throw a light on this strange was would always be delighted to see be named would be such that a settlement manifestation of mass psychology, members of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps

there would be of great interest to hear it

Mr. Li Yau Tsun, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, and many other prominent merchants.

The Hon. Mr. Holyoak wished the dele gates a good voyage, and, as chairman of the Steamboat Company, asked the dele-

could be anticipated in three weeks.

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