1927-08-31 — Page 5

Page

TEN MILLION

1 DOLLARS!:

PEREMPTORY DEMAND ON CANTON MERCHANTS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE VIRTUAL

PRISONERS.

THE MILITARY POSITION.

ON, THE BORDER,

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1927.

M

RESTIVE LEUNG KWONG LOCAL SHAREBROKER AND HIS CLIENT.

SPIRITS..

The military situation on the Northern and Eastern borders" of CALLING FOR MORE VICTIMS. Kwangtang is again causing

anxiety, The local authorities At A SAGE ON CHINESE BELIEFS.

Kaifung bave telegraphed. Canton that Communist agitatore are busy throughout the district. They are making great progress with the pra sants and have raised a force of some 5,000 men with which they hope to effect a coup d'etat at FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT. Kajfung. Government troops hors

been seat against the rebick,

"REDS "AGAIN ACTIVE IN DISTRICTS.

A high handed course has been taken with the Canton merchants. On Monday night, at about 10 p.m. Mr. Koo Ying" Fun, chief of the Financial Department of the Can zon Government, who also holds the pest of Minister of Finance to the Nanking Government, Mr. La Lak Chiu, chief of the Canton

kas been

Further to the North the "Red" leaders. Generals Yeh. Ting and Ho Lung, are again active and reports state that Ping Yuen on the Kiang- si-Kwangtung border occupied. The invading force is put at about 10,000 men, and the Caston Government is sending strong reinforcements to meet this menace. The "Reda "

are also busy in the southern part of the

BY C.L.C.]

No matter how long a Buro. pean has been resident in China, he will never learn anything like all there is to know even of the

·Chinese in one district, their ways and their beliefs. The strang and

varied layers of superstition which form religion, are utterly unknown to the average Europeans.

the basis of the Chinese

On Saturday when we published two Chinese explanations of the

sinking of the steam launch Aarong Lee at Lan Tao one old seafarer laid the blame on the unoffending Buddhist nuns saying that they would bring "bad joss" to any vessel. Another made insinuations

Industrial Department, and province.. Taking advantage of the with regard to clean money'

Tang Yin Wah, head of the Public Safety Department. wont to the General Chamber of Commerce where the Committee was holding

a meeting. It is not clear whether

fact that a large part of the 7th Amy Corps, formerly at Luchow and Konchow have been moved to the North, agitators have been busy stirring up bandits and semi-bandit bordes of peasants. Many of the

General Li Fuk Lia bas proclaim-

or

what was in the minds of the nuns when they accepted their medest fees for ministering to the spirits of the drowned,

Further explanation of the sink- ing of the Kwong Lee was going

gentry of those parts have had their the round of the Chinese community the "meeting was a routine one or bouses plundered and have sent yesterday. The Kwong Lee, it may whether the Government had ware-urgent wires to Kao-Lu for mill-be remembered, went aground and ed the members to assemble. 3r.tury protection... Koo said that he must present a request that the Chamber raise from its members $10,000,000 to wards the military expenses of the Nänking Government. A limit of

ed martial law in Honam in con-

sequence of recent bomb cutrages. He has ordered the, troops to co operate with the recognised bands of peasant volunteers for the par- pose of maintaining safety and order.

WHAT THE ROOM BOY

FOUND.

831 BEHIND A CHEST OF

DRAWERS.

subsequently sank at Lan Tao, and it will also be remembered that the 1.8. Leung Kwong sank near that vicinity following a collision with the Moonshine about three months ago.

This is merely a coincidence, but the Chinese do not call it so.

They attribute the sinking of the Kong Lee to the work of the spirits of those who were drowned when the as. Leng Keong sack, and the prophecy was made that until the spirits are well appeared and their tablets put up in their respective homes, or in some temple, in the case of the homeless ones, more vessels will be wrecked in that

five days would be given and the would have to be paid in anorey at the rate of 82,000,000 a day.

After a short consultation the Chairman of the Committee replied that it was impossible to raise co large a sum at such short notice.

For the larceny by finding of $34, They would call a meeting for the 30th (yesterday) and would give the property of Lieut. II. B. Hilpot.

beck, H.N., who was a patient at their reply at once. He emphasised the Royal Naval Hospital, a room that there was at present a great boy was sent to prison for two deal of depression in the businessmonths hard labour by Mr. R. E. world, and that extremely heavy burdens had beca placed on the

merchant community. The spokes

Lindsell.

Licut Hilbeck, stated that while. looking for his tobacco pouch on Sunday night he pulled out 834

It was argued by a Chinese wissacre yesterday that those who were drowned in the Leung Kwong disaster were imprisoned" by the grilles. They had no chance to save themselves. The result was they died a "*forced death.” “And whe would like to lie still in death and

Lan end?".

|

CLAIM FOR $33,000 CONTINUED IN SUPREME COURT.

PLAINTIFF'S ROTTEN SYSTEM OF BOOK-KEEPING."

SEVERE CROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. JENKIN.

The, share case' in which Mr. M. A. Razack, a local share- broker, claims. $33,818.95 in respect of dealings in Tramway, Green Island, Deck, Land and other shares prior to the crisis in the share-market in June, 1923, was continued before the acting Chief Justice (Mr. Justice J. R. Wood) at the Supreme Court yesterday. The claim is made against Mr. P. N. Cooper, a merchant of No. 13, D'Aguilar Street.

Mr. C. G. Alabaster, KC. (instructed by Mr. J. M. Remedios,” of Messrs. D'Almada and Nephew), appears for the plaintiff, and Mr. F. C. Jenkin (instructed by Mr. D. McCallum) is for the defendant.

"

*

Most of yesterday, plaintiff was in the witness-box being cross- examined by Mr. Jenkin. He was closely questioned with regard to the system of accounts in his office; and following au admission that there was no record in the books of certain payments made by Mr. P. N. Cooper, plaintiff expressed agreement with Mr. Jenkin thas "it was a rotten system of accounting."'

Plaintiff's Cross-examination

Dooks."

پر

Counsel suggested that the reason why this account was not in in the ordinary way was because it was put in lately.

Witness: No, no, Mr. Jenkiu, Nothing of the kind.

marked in red pencil and that no Continued.

balance was put down as outstand- Mr. Jenkin reminded plaintiff With regard to all other such that they were considering the

items in the book the amount was put down in the ordinary way-30 balance outstanding of $1,730.05 such received" and so much out which plaintiff stated became a standing. baħnce due on May 21st, 1923.

Falasit said he recollected, add ing that he had, handed in ceratin Jur. Jenkin: On June 23rd when you got in a heat and decided to sue ir. Cooper for the balance due on April Settlement, it was in the ** Bad and Doubtful Debts" book that you looked for the balance you ausged to be due of $7,952)

Witness consulted several books, alleging that the item also appear ed in the Redemption book after certain calculations had been made as to payments.

to.

Mr. Jenkin: Our case is that 827,000 was taken for quick settle meat, and 1 suggest that that is consistent with no balance being shown as outstanding. I think you will agree with me when I lay that the account shown in the book

is unique, and stands out as dif- ferent to all the others!

Mr. Razack said he did not agree, and Mr. Jenkin asked him to point Counsel put it to plaintiff that out a similar account. Mr. Razack when he got angry with Mr. Cooper did not answer, and then said fin and told his (witness's) brother answer to a Intther question that that he was going to sue Cooper he did not know, as his brother on the balance of the April account kept the books. it would be in the Bad and In connection with an item of Doubtful Debts" book alone that 8430, Mr. Jenkin

suggested that plaintiff had beea endeavouring to he would look for the figures:

Witness referred to the other account for the difference by cal book, but eventually agreed that culating brokerage and stamp duty the Bad and Doubtful Debts" and that he had failed to account book could be the only one referred for it. Mr. Razack agreed that he had tried to account for the sum Mr. Jaakia: That account also by brokerage and stamp duty.

Mr. Jenkin: I put it to you that shews $1,730.08 due in connection with a Dock transistion (your you were boosting the figures and second claim). How is it that trying to get them up to 8430. Two although you were in a rage with weeks ago you had no explanation Cooper on June 23rd and had at all, and now you come into made up your mind to sue him for Court and say that you told your every outstanding indebtedness of brother to waive the $430. his to you that you did not at that trap include this amount of 81,730 when now appears in your claim:

Witness: if I had remembered included them in the claim at the Mr. Jenkia: I put it to you that

was not duc..

Witness admitted telling his brother that.

THE "TRAM" DËAL.

man of the Chamber went on to in notes from his trousers pocket not revenge. so sudden and terrible abort the Docks, I would have continued his cross-examination.

It was suggested to the sage

beginning. at

of

In the afternoon, Mr. Jenkin The earlier part of the afternopa was confined to questions with re- gard to certain technical points

change regulations on share trans- actions, particularly as applying to the transactions in the present case.

point out the great difficulty the The notes dropped behind the chest merchants had had in raising the of drawers. As it was late

aight he did not move the furniture that this would be very useless the reason was that this amount concerning the local sum required to pay off the unen-

for fear of disturbing other pati- That had beclients. ployed strikers.

The Text morning he took only a matter of a million and a his discharge from the hospital, half dollars; yet so tight was money and forgot about his loss until

that barely one million had been collected.

Mr. Koo replied that the deri sion to raise this money was taken

some hours later. Investigations were made and later witness iden- tified the room boy in question at No. 2 Police Station, Wanchai.“

An Indian Police Sergeant, n charge of the guards at the Naval

"

by the Political Commission of the Hospital searched all the room boys Nacking Government at the request and eventually found the missing of the Military Headquarters. It money concealed in the defendant's was not being done by the

local right sock. Financial Department. He was very sorry but the money would have to be paid, and resistance would be met with force.

A CHINESE FAGIN.

FIVE CENTS FOR SWEETS

AND A COMMISSION.

For bribing a boy to steal, da elderly, Chinese was sent to prison for four months' hard labour by Mr.. W. Schofield, at the Kowloon Magistracy' yesterday.

revenge and in the nature malicious persecution. Why should ianocent persons be made to suffer for the fault of others 1?

He replied that the spirits must take their toll, and the quicker each one contributes his quota of lives to the powers of the nether world, the better chance he gets to be re-born.

Pointing his index finger heaven- ward, the learned one said "Lan Tau, is full of devils now, and it behoves good Chinese to get together in a body to make immense offerings to the devils there." It was indeed very hard to understand why he should have pointed at the sky when he spoke of" devils, and when he was asked to explain this, he said the devils also ipomes the power to work good or ill on the people, and therefore they should be as much respected as the gods.

Hot Here To Tell Lies." Witness? I war due. I am not here to tell Ees but to tell all I know and all I remember. At the time I had forgotten it.

Mr. Jeakin: When Mr. Cooper, through his solicitors, denied he owed you anything in regard to the Tramway ahares, which to your mind meant repudiation of an action which was taken on express instructions on his behalf, you got even angrier with him.

Witness: I was very annoyed.

ir. Jenkin: You were in a tower ing rage

Witness: I was very annoyed. Mr. Cooper did not behave like a gentleman. He took advantage of the situation because he had not signed the contract,

stock

ex-

Mr. Jenkin referred to correspon- dence, and spoke of a letter of June 22nd written to Mr. Cooper by Mr. el Arculli, the solicitor for Mr. Razack, and which made a claim on Mr. Cooper for '921,538 in respect of the tram deal.

Plaintiff admitted this, nad said that an answer was sent to Mr. el Arculli on June 23rd, in which Mr. Cooper categorically denied the claim, which concerned 3,000 trams. Mr. Jenkin asked why plaintiff Arculli did not give Mr. el any instructions to reply, and com, mented that it was rather strange. Arculli had said it would be better. Plaintiff replied that Mr. el

to wait.

וּי

Mr. Jenkin: And, in spite of your feelings being so roused, you other latter was written by still forget in making out your Mr. el Arculli in June with regard to an April settlement for $2,000, claim, the amount of 81,730.

This letter said the kgal proper Witness: Yes. Counsel referred to various cor-ings would be taken against Mr. rections which had been made in Cooper without further notice, un- one of the books and asked in less the amount duo was paid with-

in a week. whose writing they were.

Witness replied that they were itr the handwriting of Mr. Loureiro, 10. Accountant (now deceased) whom he employed to get out a statement of witness's affäirs.

Brother Hept the Books, - Witness also said that be was ignorant so far as accounts were concerned. His brother bad kept the books, the accountant acting on his instruction

Plaintif agreed that this letter was sent to Mr. Cooper.

Mr. Jenkin: I put it to you that it is a very remarkable thing that you get a letter from Mr. Cooper denying all liability for over 821,000, and yet you give, instruc tions to your solicitor to write and demand payment in respect of a much smaller item, $7,000!

Plaintiff said that, Mr. el Arculli

throughout Shanghai for her enter- taining ability. She was the prima donna of the sing-song girls. She was murdered in 101 by one of her admirers for her jewellery. The man

said they need not reply about the Witness admitted that there was $21,000. AN was finally traced to Henchowfu. and there arrested. He was order no record in the books of payments el to be shot by the International of $4,000 and $1,000 by Mr. Cooper

There had been a record in the counterfoil, receipt book but this booit had been handed to Mr. Areulli (witness'e solicitor) and had been lost in the process of moving fron, one office to the other.

It was then found that the build- ing had beca surrounded by a

He went into a long account of strong detachment of armed police -for the protection of both the

cases he had known where devils played havoc with a rich family and delegates and the committee The

finally reduced them to such a state that they were no better than street "committee were, however, informed

Why take the case of that they would not be permitted The defendant was charged with beggars

Lin Yiu, the murdered sing-song at to leave the building until they had the larceny of two catties of Shanghai." [In passing, it may be given the required quarantee bind Chinese medicine from No. 78, mentioned that Lin Yin was famed ing the merchants to pay the money. Reclamation Street. Yesterday morning they were still Inspector Marks, who prosecuted; holding out, but had sent an urgent said that the defendant had message to the members of the brought two small boys from Hong committee still at large asking Kong, and on arriving in Yaumati them to call a meeting of members had given one of them five cents immediately. This was done, but to buy sweets, telling the youngster the meeting was still in progress that if he stole a basket of medicine late last night and so far the re- which was outside the premises in sult of their deliberatione is not question, be would be given more known There is a good deal of money. mystery attached to the whole The boy committed the theft, affair. Koo Ying Fun and his two handing the medicine to the man colleagues are all ardent supporters The old and young culprits, how- of Chiang Kia Shek (who-is-probevor, were caught, and as a result ably still at Ningpo, in spite of appeared in Court. reports to the contrary) and it is The man was sent to prison, and thought that the money may be His Worship ordered that the boy used on his behalf. It is also be receive eight-strokes of the birch, loved that General Li Tina Hain as he had had a previous convic -whole-affairs tion for theft.

Mixed Court.] +

Her murderer got safely away, this gentleman informed me, and it was not the aleuths of Shanghai justice who ran him down to earth. It was the spirit of Lin Yin, that brought him to his doom, ** You. can cacape the gods, but the spirit of one you, wrong, you can never escape," he concluded..

The old pedant was asked if he had ever heard of retribution, for wrong doing. He replied that with the gods.

Asked bow he knew the book had been lost in this way, witness said that a clerk in the employ of Mr. Arculli" told him.

rentin: It is certaluly curios. Witness: It may be...

Plaintiff, went on to explain the methods of the local Stock Ex change over local transactions, and how shares could be borrowed from undisclosed principals, and slo spoke of carrying them forward, as affecting both purchaser and seller.

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-FOUR NOVELS NOW SET ASIDE

Two other witnesses were called one clerk in Mr. Razack's office, and the other an assistant in the office at the time. this case.

plaintiff's evidence with regard to They gave evidence in support of Mr Jenkin There is no other the tramway-share-deal-and-the- record1 It is curious, is it not? instructions alleged to have been it had nothing to do was the spirits. It is a rotten system of account given by Mr. Cooper. The worst spirita-you could onconning, isn't it? You agree with mal

The case was then adjourned until this morning, it-being-in- ter are those of women who died Yes I agree during child-birth and those who Referring to another amount paid timated that there-were-two-more haver committed suicide by hang by Mr. Cooper, Counsel told witnesses to call in connection with

witness in the books it was the plaintiff's case.

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