1927-12-08 — Page 5

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ARMED ROBBERS BATTLE WITH

POLICE.

YESTERDAY'S EARLY MORNING REIGN OF TERROR.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th, 1927:

CONSTABLE AND ROBBER SHOT DEAD.

SERGT. MCMAHON AND CHINESE CON- STABLES DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED.

A shooting outrage of the kind that is only too common just now in Shanghai and Chicago was perpetrated here by four Chinese gunmen early, on Tuesday morning. These desperadoes are thought to. bave been returning from an armed robbery when they were accosted by a posse of police on zearch duty: Without hesitating for a moment, they drew their pistols and red point blank at the officers. Sergeant McMahon was shot down, and a running duel between police officers and the gunmen ensued, in the course of which a Chicese constable and a robber were shot dead. Three other police officers and one of the robbers als received serious gunshot wounds. A member of the gang was captured, while, the fourth man runde good his escape.

11

Il gunmen think that they are likely to do better here than in Shanghai last night's affair will at least teach them a lesson. They learnt that the loc! police have quite as much courage and deter. mination as their gallant confreres in Shanghai, and they can shoot quite as straight. The forces of the law will know how to deal out adequate punishment to any of this human verain that escapes shooting out of hand by surreisler.

THE CASUALTIES.

Killed:

Chinese Constable No. ses Wan, Wong Chi.

Serlous Wounded.

European Sergeant No. 107 T. McMahon, Indian Constable No. 382 Ali Asgar Khan. Chinese Constable No. 66. Chan Shing.

Chinese Detective Constable No. 410 Lui Tung.

CONDITION CRITICAL.

On inquiry at the Government Civil Hospital last night Dri Valentine informed us that the operation on Sergeant MeMaton had proved successful but the patient's condition was very grave indeed. Today is expected to be the critical time.

The two Chinese Constables are also in great danger; the Indian constable is going on well and the wounded robber, is "expected to recover. ***

THE STORY IN ITS SEQUENCE.

The Prologue, At 1.30 am. two men in long gowns, entered the Mee Sur Cafe at Queen's Road West where they

ordered meals and wine.

Shortiv

after another two men also took a table there. All these four meg! had been to the cafe before. Busi

ness was dull that night, so the proprietor of the chfe seeing only

Chinese Constable Shot Dead.

After one of their number had been captured and another shot down at Wing Lok Street, the remaining

two rabbers dashed into Des Vaux

Road Central, still hotly pursued by the police officers. For a time the three constables lost sight of their party, until a shot fired by the leading man put the police on the track again.

One of the robbers ad disappeared and the chase was then centred on the remaining man.

PERSONNEL OF LI TSAI HSIN IN

CANTON'S GOV. ERNMENT.

SOME OF THE PLANS.

MAKING AND ABOLISHING DEPARTMENTS,

[FROM ONE CHINESE CORRESPONDENT]

The Political Council of the Kuoraintang in Canton have re- organized the Kwangtung Provincial Administrative

Council and the

members of the latest Cantón regize are:-Mrs. Liao Chung Hoi: Mr. Chu Chao Hsin, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Li Chang Tat, Commissioner of Civil Affairs; Mr. Ha Chung Ching. Commission- er of Education: Mr. Chen Shih Jen. Commissioner of Reconstruct

SWATOW.

"

PUBLIC HOLIDAY DECLARED.

THE PRESENT PROPOSAL.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRO. VINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN SWATOW.

[CROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Swarow, Dec. 8th. General Li Tani Hsin arrived here to-day by the old transport Fook On direct from Shanghai. To-mor. row is declared a general publie holiday-no Customs, no Post

Office, no work.

It is stated that General Li Tsai Hain intends to establish a new

KNOCKED INTO THE HARBOUR.

DEATH OF AN OPIUM ADDICT.

CLANSMAN, CHARGED WITH

MANSLAUGHTER..

The incident in which a Chinese wse knocked unconscious and then thrown into the harbour was tur- ther investigated when Chan Tig Chee, a clanaman of the deceased. ps before Major C. Willson "at the Central Magistracy yesterday. Prisoner was charged with man- slaughter and was defended by Mr. E. S. C. Brooks.

In his outline of the case the previous day, Mr. T. S. Whyte Smith (Assistant Crown Solicitor) said that he could suggest motive for the crime. The deceased was going back to his native village by one of the Sheicki towboats, but for some reason came ashore on that night (November 16th) and he was attacked by three men. When

no

tion: Mr. Ying Pak, Commissioner Provincial government in Swätow the alarm was raised, the assailants"

of Agriculture and Labour; Me Chau Min Cho. Commissioner of Finance; Mr. Chu Yat Fai, Commis- sioner of Military Affairs and Chief of Police; Mr, Yui Hoi Chan, Com- missioner of Justice: and Mr. Chan Kung Pok and Mr. Li Long Yu.

for the province of Kwangtung. ......... The four funnel Chinese gunboat Feiying, which bombarded Swate some two months ago when the "Reds" were in charge of the port, went out last night to meet the Fook On and to welcome the

General from Shanghai.

ran away in different directions. and during the chase the defendant was caught.

At yesterday's hearing Mr. J. T. Prior watched the case on behalf of. the father of the deceased.

Medical Evidence.

Dr. Cannon, who examined the body of the docensed identified as Chan Kwok Tim, stated that in his opinion the primary cause of death was drowning. Deceased's physical condition was emaciated, and there were signs that he was strongly addicted to opium smoking. There were no marks of violence on the

Evidence Of Constables. Chinese constable Kwok Cheong, the first witness called, said that be was on search duty at Luen Cheong wharf at 1.30 am. 02. November 16th when he heard eries of

The Provincial Committee of the

Referring to my yesterday's letter Kuomintang of Kwangtung has for and to the murdering and looting mally issued an order asking all by the "Reds" in the surrounding subordinate organs under its juris-stricts, very little further news has come to hand as no one dares diction to receive no communications to move about between the villages from the Special Commission of the and

The state of affaire body. towna. Kuomintang in Yanking, an autho-"Reds," or whoever they are, ap- up-country is unspeakable. These rity Canton does not now recognize. | pear to be going mad. If they do The Government is finding that as they are doing now after a fine there are far too many adminis-harvest what will they do in a trative department and those of Public Lands and Industries are to be abolished On the other hand'n Bureau of Public Charity, a Prison Reform Commission, and a new sub- department of the Bureau of Civi Affairs have been appointed. new subdepartment is to watch the interests of overseas Chinese.

The

The Ministry of Finance is not issuing any more paper money for the present. Those holding mono- polics or have had taxes formed out to them are being pressed for pay. ment in advance" During the next few days the Government hopes to collect from 28.000,000 to 28,000,000. While it is extremely improbable

"lean" year.

I suppose we must follow the only possible line and wait patiently for the poison to work out as very little trade is possible.

"Authority

..there,

TWO KUOMINTANG ORGANISATIONS. [raOM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.

Kwangtung Province has now two Kuomintang Party organizations. A group of six the Kuomintang Pro- vincial Executive Committee made their way from Canton to Swatow, and they have established an ad ministrative administration being effective from December 3th. One of their first acts was to call General Li Tani Hsin back to Kwangtung. Coancil have also appointed Capt. Chan Chack, a Hainanese, as Com The commander of the s.s. Feiying General Wong Kie. Cheung is ta will be second in command. command the army in the West River sector and General Shi An, the Southern Kwangtung forces, by order of the Canton Military Com

The

save life and saw three men rumming in the direction of Jubilee Street. Two men were dressed in dark clothing and one in white. Witness gave chase, but lost sight of them when he got to Des Voeux. Rond Central.

The next witness," constable Fong Shu, started that he was at the time on duty at the Yaumati ferry wharf and also gave chase, blowing his whistle. Witness followed a man dressed in white clothing running along Chung Kwok Street and saw him being stopped by another con- stable.

In answer to Mr. Brooks, witness said that he did not see the man's face, but he was the only man run- ning in the street at the time.

Detective constable Shum Wai gave evidence of stopping the de- fendant in Chung Ewok Street tion shortly after the witness) heard the sound of police whistles,

four oustomers in the place, turned This van, however, did a good deal that the Canton" Treasury will be mandant of the Cantonese Navy, where he came running in his direc-

this was done, the four men pro- duced revolvers and held up the inmates of the cafe. They drove then all into an inner room. tied

tion.

off the lights at the outside door. of damage before he was caught. able to appropriate 800,000 monthly which he kept closed. Immediately He ran from Des Voeux Road into as decided upon by the Provincial the waterfront passing the San Council for public highway par Sain Hoi Wharf in a easterly direc-posas, Mr. Albert H. S. Chuck, Commissioner of Public Highways, has optimistically planned the com pletion and opening of three roads. One will lend (if constructed) from the north of Canton City to White Cloud Hill, a distance of about three miles: another from the City to Tsengshin, will be about 40 miles long and a third, from the City to Whampoa, will be eight or nine miles.

them up with wire roils and gagged

them with walnuts

When he neared the Yauniat Ferry Wharf, a Chinese constable on search duty at the wharf pluckily The robbers found the key of the made an attempt to stop the rob safe after a little trouble and with ber, but was shot dead on the spot. it they opened the safe and stole The artery of this constable is $200 in cash. They ransacked the all the more apparent when it is place and after helping themselves Atated that he was unarmed at the to the proprietor's long silk gown, decamped.

All this took the robbers about

time.

did daty in spells of three hours from between 8 p., and midnight

and between midnight and 3 a.m.

Mr. King then described the fight as related above.

Lone Gunman Fights On. After killing the searcher at the 20 minutes and after they had left, wharf, the guaman made for Pedder the victims freed themselves and Street, passing the Post Office No.7 building and running along. Des reported the matter at

Mr. King added that at the time Yœux Road made a detour for the

the picket challenged the gunmen. į Station.

Central Market. While passing the they had had no information of the What Was Happening Outside.

Post Office Building, an Indian armed robbery and stopped the While the inmates of the Cafe Police constable named Ali Asgar were being tied and gagged and the premises looted, Sergeant Khan joined in the chase. Being a McMahon and a posse of constables fast runner, the Indian was close were leisurely walking towards Wing Lok Street and heading for upon his man when he was also

shot in the thigh. the new block of the Western Market..

The Indian went down and the The night was warm and quist. chase was kept up by a Chinese The street seemed peaceful when constable. The robber again fred, four men were sten and the police, at his pursuer, and the bullet peur. "in the ordinary course of their duty, trated the policeman's tunic but stopped the first two to carry but was diverted by the buckle of his a search. Without hesitation the belt. The constable fired back and two robbers drew their revolvere brought his man down. - and fired point blank at the police

The Epilogue.

mission.

General Li Tai Hein has just wired to the Canton Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, stating that he will not recognize the payments of dues and other con tributions paid to the present Can ton regime. At the same time, the present Canton regime have issued a statement necusing General Li of having been responsible for the extortion of the $10,000,000 from the merchants and bankers recent ly, in addition to other "crimes. committed by him when in power in Canton.

SMALL PROSPECT OF PEACE.

LEADERS.

samcets in the ordinary course of CANTONESE AND THE PARTY due to search them The picket had no idea that the men they wanted to search were armed rob from the raided coffee shop at No. bers, as no alarm had reached them 150. Queen's Road West.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]

"Not Cautioned."

A Chinese interpretor at the Central Police Station charge room said that he acted as interpreter when Inspector Lane questioned the defendant after he was brought in.

Answering Mr. Brooks, witress said that he did not caution the de-

fendant, before putting questions to

him.

Acting Inspector Lane was on tife swers given by defendant when Mr. point of telling the Court the an Brooks objected on the ground that defendant had not been cautioned. The case was adjourned until to- marrow afternoon.

A CONTRACTOR'S POVERTY.

CANNOT PAY FINE.

A Chinese building contractor ap- peared before Mr. W. Schofield at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday on charges of deviating from the approved plan in the erection of a building in Portland Street and with failing to comply with a Magis trate's order made last September when he was fined $50 and ordered. to demolish the work within seven days.

Defendant, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was fined $25 on the first count and $75 on the second. Remarking that business was slack, defendant asked for time to pay the His Worship allowed him fine. time until the afternoon to pay the first fine but said he could pay the other later. The alternative would be two weeks' hard labour on the first count and six weeks on the

The Cantonese General, Li Fuk Lin who commands the 8th Army The Two Incidents Connected.

Corps is busily recruiting ten fresh Explaining the connection of the regiments In Canton it being Mr. Neville, of the P.W.D., told the Court that work on the build- kunimen with the men who com said that the Government is arra uitted the armed robbery at No. ing at a force of 60,000 men to meeting had been stopped and nothing 150 Queen's Road West. Mr. King the threatened attack from Kwang had been done to comply with the said that when the two messages si.Nanking Government, for what order. Defendant had called at the of the two affairs reached Police it is worth is backing Kwangsi, office and pleaded that poverty pre- Headquarters,, it was immediately and Cantonese said to be support- vented him from putting the work clear that the four men who took ing this faction include Mr. Sun in hand. otheers, Sergeant McMahon and a The injured officers and robbers part in the robbery and the four Fo, Mr. Hu Han Min and Dr. C. Chinese detective named Lui Tungwere sent to the Government Civil gunmen were the same persons; and C. Wu. All the latest reports em being wounded. The robbers took Hospital. But when the police his had since turned out to be so, phasise the irreconcilable nature to their heels, and a sharp skirmish went to pick up the first robber us the gunman who was shot dead of the disagreements between the was begun.

who was shot in Wing Lok Street, in Wing Lok Street was subsequent different sections of the Kuomin- The fugitives headed for Wing the man was found to be dead. ly identified by the coffee shop fokis tang and that farther fighting be Lok Street running in an easterly ...European Sergeant McMahon was as one of the four men who had ing the different groups must be

expected. direction, and pursuing them were operated upon yesterday at 1 p.. reided their shop.

Mr. Wang Ching Wei and his one Indian Lanee-Sergeant, one and his condition was said to be

$500 Reward. «

party strongly repudiate the charge Indian constable and another Chi-

very serious..

Two revolvers and one automatic that they are adherents of Bolshe- nese constable:

all with several rounds expended) yism and that Mr. Wang himself other. The robbers fired as they ran, but

were seized by the Police from the is Chinese secretary of the fortunately all their shots went

three gunmen who have been ac Third International and that Gen-

One of the arguments being ad- wide, After chasing for about fifty

counted for, and a reward of $500 erals Chang Fat Fui and Wong Kie

favour of inviting yards, one of the gunmen wes cap

has been offered for information Cheung have fiready renewed their vanced in tured and a fully loaded revolver

which will lead to the arrest of the invitation to the Reds" to make General Chen Chiung Ming and his supporters to Canton is that the was found on him,

fourth gunman

who made good his their headquarters in Canton.

its escape.

The Industrial & Commercial present régime declares as

"Canton for the Canton- Sergeant McMahon.. Daily Press of Hong Kong (which Policy Sergeant MeMabon has only been is still excluded from Canton) da: eses" that it is "anti-Red"; and that it is anti-militaristic and in the Police had had the worst of Year, since last week each division in the Force a little over four years, i clared in.u lending article yester favour of the reduction of any

having arrived here on September day, that no good would come of

expenses in order to devote the the encounter, but the Indians and had sent out a special search picket eth, 1921. He was recently married the proposed alliance between Mr. revenue seved to the promotion the Chinese constable were not in as a preventative measure. the least daunted and doggedly duty of this picket was to search to Miss Muriel Jane Blunsdon, the Wang Ching Wei and General of local industries and the develop Chiang Kai Shek. The left wing ment of the province's resources.

Police Shoot Down One, The chase went on, amid the shrieking of police whistles. So far

The other injured police officers were Indian Constable No. 382 Ali Asgar Khan, Chipesc constable No. e Chan Sing and Chinese detective constable No. 448 Lui Tung,

THE OFFICIAL VERSION. Interview yesterday morning, Mr. T. H. King, Director of Criminal Intelligence, said that on account of the approach of the Chinese New

The

"S

kept up the chase amid a shower auspects for arms or property which eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. of the Kuomintang would do better The Chen group declare that they

of bullets, until nearing the sad of might be suspected to have been The pickets Wing Lok Street, one of the purnlawfully acquired, suers brought down the first robber. (Continued on next. Oolumn,)

J. Blunadon.

Mrs. McMahon is a good swim to rely on themselves instead of will co-operate in every way pos mer and has featured in many

seeking militarist support.

sible and do all they can to enable aquatic events at the V.R.C. (Continued al foot of next column.) I the Cantonese to secure peace

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