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UNHAPPY CANTON.

A WEEK OF STREET FIGHTING.

14

HUNDRED AND FIFTY CASUALTIES.

MILITARY EXECUTIONS.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

itself.

Indiscriminate skirmishing is part of the every-day life in Canton now. Every little anion appears to be a law unto The Canton Police are said to have aggravated matters by surrendering a dozen "anti-reds" among the fighters to the Capton Strike Committee on August 7th. The Police apparently are not supposed to take aides in these

domestic differences.

On the same day, however, the Con- tral Labour Union " got a little of their own back" and "lowered the face of the Kuomintang by marching through the streets carrying white flags and pennants. As red is the official colour of the Party this was regarded as a great triumph.

Now the fighting squad of the tear house workers have sworn to capture the club-room of the cooks who are affiliated to those small restaurants whose speciali. ties are fried puddings and toast.

+8

THE HONGKONG · DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, AUGUST 1êт¤, 1926

'AN ACT OF MUTINY."

"WORSE CASE IN TEN YEARS'

EXPERIENCE.”.

LASCAR FIREMEN OF BRITISH

VESSEL JAILED,

CONTINUED REFUSAL TO OBEY ORDERS.

JAIL PREFERRED,

Here the men applied for shore passes, but ia view of the severe U.S. penalties regarding deserters, he refused. The

aine men before. the Court stated that they would not work if they were not permitted to go ashore. He was notified the following morning that the mea had declined to leave their quarters. He had them before him at 8.30 am, on August 4th and asked their grievance. They demanded passes, which he refused, He made them an offer that if they re A very unusual case; one almost un-sumed duty they would be paid off at Singapore, on the return trip from precedented in local history, and at least one of a character that has not been China, but the men refused, declaring heard in Hongkong for a

that they would prefer to go to jail rather than go on the ship. some thirty years, came before the

H.M. Vice-Consul and Consul-General Marine Court yesterday. So serious was the nature of the charge brought against boarded the City of Corinth and inform. cine fremen of the British vessel, Reed the men of the serious nature of their City of Corinth (Bank Line), that the offence, and on their further refusal, he Marine Magistrate and Harbour Master, (the master) was instructed to take them Lieut.-Commander G. F. Hole, B.N., to Hongkong, and, if necessary, to put referred to what had occurred on board them under restraint. the vessel during her outward voyage as being an act of mutiny." He remark

matter of

"I cannot take any other view than most serious ore. In the course of ten years on the bench, this is the first case of this sort which has come before me. I have never known a worse casc..

The case in question came about as the result of discontent arising among Lascar remen on the City of Corinth, beginning in the North Atlantic with a complaint that they were being unceces, sarily pushed, and coming to a head at Manila.

At this port serious trouble These bickerings and quarrellings may occurred, and to protect the loyal appear to the Western mind similar to fizemen against "picketing" by the the fights which occasionally took place disloyal ones" the captain of the City of Corinth was forced to provare revolvers, among rowdies in the lower-class dis-

He eventually had to put the niže Are tricts of European cities. They are, how men was hall caused the trouble in froas ever, something more than this. They and have them shipped to Hongkong on represent the general feeling of political the President Jackson, the remainder of the firemen being so intimidated that unrest and dissatisfaction which is per- they refused to work while the trouble- meating Canton at the moment More-makers remained on board the City of over, the results are far more serious Corinth, than a few cracked heads and broken

limbs. The record of the past week show's that scarcely a day passes without some workers being killed.

The sequel to the incidents outlined was that the nine firemen in question were tried and sentenced at the Marine Court here, being given sentences on two charges which amounted to sixteen weeks

haril labour in all.

DAY BY DAY RECORDS. ··

They were first charged "That being On July 29th and 30th the members of

seamen lawfully engaged on board the the Vegetable Labour Valon and mem- bers of Vegetable Guild of Employers and 3.8. City of Corinth unlawfully did con- Employees came into conflict. Two huntinue to wilfully disobey the lawful dred and fifty men were engaged One commands of the Master at Manila on was killed and six wounded. In addition August 4th.?"

a number of." non-combatants-into- cent passers-by--suffered injuries. On July 30th there was also a fight between band-needle workers and machine workers in which one man was killed.

Mr. L. R. Andrews appeared for the prosecution, and he applied for per- mission to add two further charges to that already against the accused. The Bank Line had suffered considerable in July 31st was a perfect day." No convenience, and wished to press the serious fighting occurred. It was, how.crse.

The Company were pressing in ever, simply a calm before the storm. the hope that the men would be mada On August 1st extensive preparations an example of. The charges he wished were made for a pitched battle between to add were (a) wilful disobedience of the so-called "reds" and anti-reds. the master's orders and (b) combining Hostilitics commenced on August 2nd and to disobey. over 300 took part. The anti-reds" claired a victory because their casualty

NOT NECESSARY.

Lieut. Comdr. G. F. Hole, the Marine

3rd the fight was renewed and four deaths evidence taken on oath in Manila and

ALLEGED FALSIFICATION.

་་

A MONEY LOAN ASSOCIATION.

SUMMARY COURT CASE.

Falsification of books was alleged in case in the Summary Court yesterday morning in which Wong Sham-chuen was sued by Chan Chung in respect of two Money Loan Associations, of which it is alleged he is the head.

나

Plaintif who was an undrawn member of these Associations, claimed return of subscriptions amounting to $100 in the first Money Loan Association and $150 Breach of in respect of the second. trust in failing to carry out duties as head of the Association is alleged.

Mr. D. McCallum appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. M. K. Lo defended,

Certain women who deposed to being undrawn members of the Association, were called by plaintiff as witnesses, stating either that they had been asked to join by the defendant himself or his deceased wife, Chan Ho. They looked on defendant as the heal.

The steamer was ready for sea shortly after four o'clock that afternoon, but the nine men now charged picketed the

The defendant was called and denied door of the stokehole, driving those those below on deck and refusing to allow directing the Association Questioned others to go below.

us to his name appearing on certain books dealing with the affairs of the Association, defendant said that Eis wife had written his name.

.

Lieut-Gomdr.Hole: what you say is correct, it amounts to an act of mutiny.

Capt. Burton: The ship has no fire- arms, and I secured revolvers so that the loyal men could work under guard, but they were so intimidazed by the accused that they could not work ander any circumstances.

Continuing, Capt. Burton said that at seven o'clock he had the accused-put in irons. They called on the loyal men for rescue and ultimately he bad them removed from the ship. They were housed in a place of detention and sent to Hongkong on the President Jackson.

U

Mr. Le pointed out that the defend. ant's name was written in the books la different ink to the other entries. Asked by his Lordehip if he alleged falsifica- tion, Mr. Lo said that he did although he could call no evidence.

His Lordship examined the books and indicated that he was not in agreement with Mr. Lo,

His Lordship prefer hearing members of the Association as such would not have a direct interest in the issue of this case and he asked Mr. McCallum to endeavour to get into touch with drawn members.

added that he would evidence of drawa

A FURTHER CHARGE. Interrupting, Lieut.-Comdr. Hole said that the men had evidently conspired to The case was, therefore, adjourned as impede the navigation of the vessel. He concerned the writ on the Money Lead- therefore, added a charge that they had ing Association issue. With regard to a unlawfully combined to impede the claim by the plaintiff for 881, money navigation of the ship on August 4th. lent, his, Lordship gave judgment for The Chief Engineer (Mr. W. Kirk) plaintiff remarking that he believed gave corroborative evidence to that of plaintiff's evidence in prefercase to that the Master and said that when the of the defendant.. master bonstrated with them, warned" them of the seriousness of their offences, and offered to pay them off at Singapore on the return trip the nine firemea re. plied that they were prepared to go to jail rather than work:

ARMS FOUND ON THE "SUIYANG."

CONCEALED IN BOOTS.

FIVE ARRESTS.

ACCUSEDS' STATEMENT. The first accused, who swore on the Kotan, made a statement on behalf of

Five Chinese, who boarded the China himself and the other eight men. In the statement made, the refusal to work was Navigation Company's steamer Suiyang admitted, but it was claimed that the on Sunday, were arrested following the firemen were refused passes,, while the discovery of a number of fully-loaded sailors had been granted passes. Their revolvers hidden in three pairs of boots. paint was that they were all part of the It is believed that the discovery frustrat- crew of the same ship and if the sailors ed an intended piracy.

Another theory is that the arms were were granted passes, the firemen should also have that privilege. They denied going to be used for an intended piracy

from Shanghai. interference with the other men.

The second engineer, Mr. Thomas

י

Prior to the Suiyang's departure for

list numbered less than 25. On August Magistrate, said hat he had read the McKinney, went into the box at the re- Shanghai, Sergeant Barniele and a party and fifteen wounded were reported. On did not think it was necessary to add quest of the Marine Magistrate. He told of detectives, acting on information, the Court that he instructed one of the went aboard." Following a thorough August 3rd also the vegetable workers farther charges. Even if the charges

continued their battle and in one section were added and be found them guilty on loyal men to stoke up a fire, but the search, three pairs of brown boots were of the City there were two deaths and all three counts, he would be disposed man was prevented by five of the accused

fifteen wounded while in another section the killed and wounded numbered eight.

On August 6th there were five deaths and fifteen wounded and on the 7th, a

elready reported, seven men were killed and eighteen wounded.

to make the sentences rua concurrently.

Mr. Andrews How can you say be-. fore you have heard the evidence?

men.

AIR VALVES "CLOSED.

He endeavoured to raise steam himself, The Marine Magistrate: I don't think but when he opened the air valves, fire

1 would give any seaman more than three of the men in dock closed them. They

Lient.-Comdr. Hole said he was Batis-

told him that-they-would-not-allow steami. months for this offence. To my mind it During the past ten days the killed is merely a technical offence. In civil to be raised. and wounded in these street fights num-life their action would not be regarded ber nearly 150.

as a criminal offence, nor is an actfied with the evidence. He found all the

prisoners guilty on both charges. against the moral code.

The charge was read over to the accused

and they pleaded not guilty.

MILITARY EXECUTIONS. There were two military executions in Canton last week, two former minor Kuomintang officials-Yang Kum Lung and Feng Chi Min-being shot. Both Giving evidence, the master of the City of Corinth, Captain G. J. D.

FELT TIRED.

men. The revoltera were concealed "be. tween the soles of the shoes.

found in the luggage of the accused

So ingenious had the concealment been accomplished, that it was only when handling and noticing the unusual weight

that Bergeant Barnicle discovered the

arms.

The defendants were then arrested, and the Suiyang left for Shanghai.

"

The accused were charged before Mr. J. H. B. Nihill at the Kowloon Magis- Mr. Andrews drew bis Worship's attracy yesterday, with unlawful possession tention to the fact that the Company of arma

One man pleaded guilty and assumed hold money due to the men at wages. all the responsibility.

THE SENTENCES. Sentencing them all to four weeks' were in years past closs friends of the Burton, said on June 23rd when the hard labour on the first charge "and late Dr. Sun Yat Sen and Mr. Feng was; vessel was in the North Atlantic, within twelve weeks' hard labour on the second at one time, considered an intimate friend a day's steaming of Gibraltar, all the charge, the sentences to run consecutives Areman who were not on duty came to ly, Lieut.-Commander Hole ordered that.

of the present Kuomintang chief, General him acu said they were tired, and any wages due to the men should be used Chiang Kai Shek. Fang was asked to stated that as the ship was not a passen for maintenance while they were in return to Canton from Shanghai byger "boat, and was not carrying mails prison, and that the residue go towards they could see no reason why the ship the cost of their repatriation to Bombay. General Chiang himself

should be pushed along at top speed.

The other men denied having had any knowledge of the arms.

The case was remanded until Friday..

TRAGIC EVENT.

FISHERMAN BLINDED AND MAIMED,

"THE WORSE CASE.

LONGS FOR HOME." A SOVIET MOVE.

The master added that they were endea

"When I said that I would not give a Beroft of one hand, the finger tips of By direction of the Soviet Commission vouring to push the ship along at full-

speed.

seaman more than three months im- to South China, the Merchants' League The firemen asked to be paid off at prisonment," concluded his Worship. This other hand blown off, blinded in both. eyes, and so deprived of earning a living are preparing a petition to the Kuomin Colombo, but he told them they had sign referred to the count on which they were Such is the plight of an unfortunate tang asking that Chinese who have beed articles in February of this year for then charged, which I regard as a tech Chinese fisherman, who is at present twelve months, and that unless they were nical "onc. The charge which was added lodged at the Central Police Station Ho come naturalised is a foreign country prepared to pay their own expenses he amounts to very much more than that had just left the Government Civil Hoa- shall be deprived of their privileges a would have to hold them to their con- It is an act of mutiny and I cannot take pital, where he had lain for 40 days. Chinese subjects and denied the right of tracts. After this interview work slack any other view than a most serious one. During that time he was cared for by a

ed off and steam was constantly below In the course of ten years on the bench, focal benevolent society. holding public office. The motive of the boiler power. Ho charged a man whom this is the first case of this sort which "His plight was brought about by the I have never known careless handling of a stick of dynamite petition, it is said, is to question the he considered the ringleader at Colombo has come before me.

which exploded in his hands. status of certain members of the Kuo for, refusal to obey orders and for using a worse case.

(The report of the Captain of the City insolent abusive language, and after that mintang who are now bolding office in the man worked better until Manila was of Corinth shows the crew to consist of

reached. the Party.

18 British and 42 Asiatica.]

He says that he does not want to be: hawker, and longs to go back to his native village at Un Long

Wm. POWELL,

Telephone C. 4578.

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