1928-04-11 — Page 5

Page

THE HONAM EXPLOSION.

NOT IN COMMUNIST BOMB FACTORY?

POLICE BAFFLED BY THE AFFAIR.

YMCA, SOCIAL WORK IN CANTON.

(FROM OUR CHINESE CONRESPONDENT,)

CANTON, April 10th

Mystery still surrounds the eir cumstances of the terrific explosion in Honam the night before last, resulting in the killing of four persons and the seriously wounding of nearly fifteen. Detectives are still busy trying to unearth the lacts of the matter and all that lies be hind that. The theory that the explosion was due to an accident in a workshop where bandits and Com- munists were secretly manufactur

ing bombs and explosives has been

abandoned. So far no one has been

$3,000,000 WORTH OF TOBACCO SEIZED.

B.A.T.'S PROPERTY IN

HONAN."

STOLEN BY FENG YO HSIANG'S SUBORDINATES.

SOLD IN SHANGHAI,

The British-American Tobacco Company has become involved in a huge loss of leaf tobacco which had been stored at Hauchow in the pro vince of Honan for some time: Al- together, the B.A.T. bad, in its godown at Hsuchow, 10,000,000 pounds of leaf tobacco of the 14 1925-1928 crops, which they were unable to ship out because they were told by military offeinis that no transportation could be made available for them at any price.

This tobacco is native-grown. The

B.A.T. has for years been supply

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11th, 1928.

THE JAPANESE

FLEET.

OPIUM IN INDIAN GUARD'S TRUNK.

OF

3,000 SAILORS LAND AT CURIOUS STORY

KOWLOON.

ROUND OF ENTERTAINMENTS FOR OFFICERS AND MEN.

Japanese sailors had their first real run ashore in the Colony yesterday. A few were given leave on Monday, but yesterday saw the Erst big exodus from the visiting warships.

About 3,000 visited either Fan- ling or Castle Peak, being taken to the former place by a number

1

of special trains and to Castle Peak in fleets of motor buses.

The day was ideal for sightseeing and the visitors thoroughly enjoyed their outing. The arrangements men forming up outside the station as they landed and then duly en- trained.

CHANGED PADLOCK.

ALLEGED TREACHERY OF SUBORDINATES.

The Indian guard, Teja Singh, employed on the as Kochow who was charged with the unlawful posecasion of eight tacle of illicit opium, told a curious story at the Central Magistracy yesterday after. noon when the case against him was resumed before Mr. R. E. Lindsell,

COURT BAILIFF'S MISTAKE?

SEQUEL TO SALE UNDER A WRIT.

THE CHOPS QUESTIONED.

A peculiar caso was heard in the Summary Court yesterday morning concerning the seizing and selling of some building materials by the Court's bailiff, under a writ of

execution.

Mr. Justice J. R. Wood said, with n smile, that be seemed to be sitting as an arbitrator more than as a judge.

The case was à séquel to a claim brought by the Kwan Ying Com Pany against Shun Wo Scaffolding Company in respect of a certain sum of money owing to the plaintiff. The case came before Mr. Justice Wood who gave judgment for the plain-

tix. 1

The amount claimed was not paid

arrested except the wounded. In ing Chinees farmers in Honan and went with clockwork precision, the He said that on March 23rd, while As a result of this, the bailiff seized

to

direct contradiction Current rumours the house in which the explosion had occurred was not a bandits rendezvous but was occupied apparently by people of exemplary character. It was a large three storied house, with six families in occupation at the time of the disaster. Most of these families were of rather poor class people except on the second floor where lived a concubine and two small children of Mr. Chen Pak Ling, superintendent of the Canton Water Works. The whole family except one child was killed. But at the time of the catastrophe Mr. Chen

was not there.

Shantung with American seeds and

a large agricultural improvemerit has been made in this product. The B.A.T. supplies the seeds without

A certain cost but purchases the tobacco at

number, carrying market prices at the end of this bundles of provisions, water bottles, at and, in quite a few instances, season. The tobacco stored Hauchow had all been paid for, the cameras, went exploring on their farmers receiving their money upon own. They were wearing white the delivery of the leaf. Military uniforms, and many of them, parti- interference prevented the company cularly the younger men were above from removing these stores to their the average height of the Japanese, factories in Hankow and Shanghai quite comparing in size with many

of our bluejacketa

Last year, a fire took place at In conversation with an officer the godown and approximately of the Bureau of Public Safety pressmen were informed that the 81,000,000 worth of tobacco was re- explosion was possibly an act of ported to have been burned. The vengeance against Mr. Chen Pak remainder amounted to $3,000,000. Ling who has not been on good terms with the labourers at the Of this amount, 81,000,000 was Water Works. The officer stoutly seized by, the military recently, by denied that the house was used as subordinates of Marshal Feng Yu

Communists' explosive factory; This could not possibly be so, Hsiang, it is reported. These mili- the patrol said, as there were no

tary men are re-baling the tobacco less than eight familica living in it. and shipping it to Hankow. Some These eight families had absolutely no connection with one another of it has arrived on the Shanghai whatever. Surely the Communistsmarket where it is being resold,

their work. Moreover, the entire

B

Besides the big contingents land- ed at Kowloon a number went, to Hong Kong and made the journey up to the Peak In the afternoon the Grand Theatre, Wanchai, was packed for a performance of the naval film, "The Flag Lieutenant," which was greatly enjoyed.

tions were arranged. There was a For the officers a number of fune-

big reception at Government House,

1

and a writ of execution was issued. certain goods and sold them to re- imburse the claimant,

He said that the opium, which was found inside his trunk, was planted upon him so as to get him into trouble by two fellow guards whom he had reported to the captain for being drunk and in- capable of performing duty.

The principal witness for the prosecution was one of the guardia whom the defendant had reported. the vessel was at Wuchow, defend ant went ashore. Later he returned with some fuel and fowl.

Yesterday Mr. P. M. Hodgson Defendant before entering his

appeared for a third party, Pang cabin, looked at witness twice in s

Tak Sam, and said that the goods furtive manner. Witars suspected seized by the bailiff, and which he something was wrong, and kept evidently thought belonged to the defendant under observation. Shun Wo Scaffolding Company, in saw the defendant open his trunk reality belonged to his client. Mr. Hin Shing Lo appeared for the and put in four packages.

Witness said nothing to the cap-judgment.creditor. tain but when the ship returned to Hong Kong, he went to the Police Station and reported the matter. He told Inspector Bloor that he suspected the defendant of smug- gling opium. Witness was then taken to the Imports and Exports Office where he had to tell his story to a Revenue officer. As a remit of this, revenue officers went on board the Kochow and removed defend ant's trunk.

Evidence was given that next day defendant was taken to the Imports

to hand over the key of his trunk.

Revenue Officer Word in attempting

Opening his case, Mr. Hodgson said that the writ of execution was issued on December 20th last year, and eleven days after certain goods belonging to the Shun Wo Company were seized and sold for the sum of 810.38. This amount was not suf ficient to meet the claim, and on January 4th, a certain Chan Lam, partner to the judgment creditor, pointed out to the bailifi, scaffolding and poles as being the property of the judgment debtor, These were seized and sold for 8757, and the money was put into Court. These

sent claim and the question before

would be paid.

to decide to whom the money.

would not chose such a place for although it is the property of the at which tea was served. E.E. the and Exports Office and was asked goods were the subject of the pre- building was blown up and four B.AT.. which has paid for it to reived a large number of guest. This he did without hesitation but the Court

surrounding houses were partially demolished.

Immediately after the explosion martial law was proclaimed in the vicinity of the disaster. No une was allowed to pass in or out of the pro- hibited area Everyone within the "confines of the prohibited area was thoroughly searched and questioned. No clue could be obtained which threw light on the cause and origin of the disaster.

Meanwhile the Canton patrols are on the alert as they have never been before. Every available precaution has been taken to prevent a similar occurrence and detectives are busy

Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES.

Under the leadership of Messrs. Lee Yin Lam, Tse Chiu Kit and Chin Kam Lam, the Canton YMC.A. has been doing very com- mendable work among the Chinese people. The Y.M.C.A. is now about to launch its annual financial drive, the amount sought for being roughly

810,000.

This amount will cover all the expenses of its varied ac- tivities and will be apportioned ap proximately as follows: Community education, 2000; exhibition of home

the farmers in Honan.

B.A.T. Marks Obliterated.

It is legally impossible for the B.A.T. to seize the tobacco upon arrival here, because all of it is repacked, the B.A.T. markings being removed to avoid identifica tion. The British-Consul General in Hankow is making representa-

tions to Marshal Feng and ques tions were recently asked concern- ing this seizure in the House of Commons.

Recently, the B.AT. sent two foreign members of their staff to Hauchow to inspect the godown and to determine the condition of the stocks. These foreigners were not permitted to enter the compound of the Company. They were told that the tobacco was being sold by order of the Commissioner of Finance, of Honan Province to de-

fray military expenses; The Hau- chow magistrate sent word to them

Governor and Lady Clementi "re-

from the Japanese fleet and many prominent dfficials and officers of the Navy and Army attended to meet them. The grounds of Govern ment House were looking their best and the function was most success-

ful.

Earlier in the day Admiral Kanji Kato," the other flag officers and their staffs were entertained to tiffin by the Japanese community. In the evening dinner parties were given by Major-General C. C. Luard, C.B.,.C.M.G., and on beard several of the British warships

The two battleships Nagato and fut were open to Japanese visi- ters and full advantage was taken of this privilege.

made produce, $1,200; movement advising them immediately to leave A for thrift and frugality, 8200; move- ment for health and cleanliness, Hauchow. They returned to Han-

TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE DINNER.

open the trunk found that the looked at his trunk and said that key did not fit. Defendant then the padlock then on it was not the

proper one.

Mr. Hodgson went on to say that the present claimant had sedan

from the Shun Wo Company on and scaffolding had been purchased affidavit to the effect that the poles

November 29th last year, which was

about 21 days before the issue of the execution. These goods and others belonging to the Shun Wo Company were lying on the new re clamation ground at Shamshuipo, but they were separated from each other. In

Defendant, giving evidence, told his Worship that he could not ne count for the opium getting into his trunk. He could only say that his own original padlock was removed and another one substituted. the place of $100 which he had in his trunk, eight taels of opium were placed in it. He surmised that it was & epiteful" frame-up" by the two Indian guards whom he had reported for being drunk.

Mr. Lindeel discharged the de- fendant and ordered the opium to be confiscated

TRAFFIC SUMMONSES,

RECKLESS DRIVING IN CHATER ROAD.

8600; the establishment of a general kow, without being able to do any Today, the Japanese Consul-Road resulting in a collision be library for the common people, thing, although their company's to-General is giving tiffin to the officers $5,000; maintenance of upkeep of

the swimming pool and allied ex-bacco was being shipped away by of the Japanese Squadron, and in

penses, 8600; physical exercises and physical examination, $300'; first aid instruction class, $100; the free night, school, $1,000; religious edu cation, 8000; public lectures, 8800; the society for public speaking, 2000; the Canton Y.M.C.A. Weekly, $1,500; subsidy to the YMCA Middle School, $4,000; art exhibi- tion, $600 open air motion pictures of educative value, $800; investiga tion of the industries, $500; and Gospel preaching, $200.

transportation company. The B.AT.'s compradore at Hsuchow was detained for some time by the authorities, but he has now been permitted to leave Hauchow and is in Hankow.

Ultimate Loss China's.

If the military are not stopped they will undoubtedly sell the en- tire stock of tobacco leaf, netting

83,000,000, which

the afternoon, a reception is being held for them by the Japanese com- munity. Trips by motor car round the Island have been arranged for the Commander-in-Chief, Staff and Flag Officers during the afternoon.

cinema performance for

and

癟

officers at 5.13 p.m.

The

Commander-in-Chief and

Officera of the visiting squadron will be a huge loss to the B.A.T. will dine with HE. the Governor, But it really means that an impor-Sir Cecil Clementi, at Government taat agricultural interest in China,

In a pamphlet just issued by the Y.M.C.A. attention was directed to approximately the fact that the Canton Y.M.C.A. has no investments and that its run- ning expenses depend solely on the voluntary contributions of its mem-

bers and of those who are interested beneficial to the Chinese farmer,

in the work. The Y.M.C.A. anti-will have been destroyed, for the cipales a hard financial campaign,

House.

Smoking Concert..

Arrangements for the entertain

as most people here have been hit company will be forced to give up ment of the 3,000 Warrant Officers

by recent troubles but it expects to its work for the improvement of and men who will be landed from top the alloted quota,

the Chinese tobacco leaf and wil the Japanese ships are, the same In its appeal to the public for donations the YMCA in a circular have to import all its tobacco from as those for yesterday's landing pamphlet states that the Y.BL.C.A abroad into Treaty Ports, where party. The Chief and Petty Officers emphasizes the need for character they cannot be molested by soldiers of the British warships will enter- development and physical and

In this way, a product which has tain 200 of the Chief and Petty mental cleanlinces

The Y.M. C.A. also inaugurated brought the Chinese farmer appro- Officers of the visiting squadron to

ren.

last year a movement for the more ximately 85,000,000 a year will scientific care of infants and child

cease to have a market value, to * 4,:, Last year's exhibition of home the detriment of the Honan and made products. was organised by the Shantung peasant, who is already Y.M.CIA, and among other things the Canton branch established a free suffering from one of the most ap night school, discussion circles, and palling depressions in the history classes in swimming. It also in of this country --North China augurated a movement for thrift

Daily News, and frugality.

The reply of judgment creditor was that the gooda had not been sold to the present claimant, and a receipt put in purporting to be, in respect of the transaction was dis puted. It was stated that the chops on the receipts were not genuine and that in fact no such chops had been seen before.

The case was adjourned.

SCHOOLBOY KNIFED.

CONVERSATION THAT LED TO A QUARREL.

DEFENDANT ADMITS USING A KNIFE.

The story of a dispute between. two schoolboys which gradually de veloped into a serious quarrel and which finally resulted in one of the boys being knifed in the back with a cobbler's tool was told at the Central Magistracy yesterday. A Chinese schoolboy about 18 years of age pleaded guilty to the charge

for 48 hours.. and was remanded in police custody The police stated that the injured student was at pre- sent in a serious condition at the Hospital with a deep wound in his back, which had been inflicted with a cobbler's knife.

A Chinese chauffeur appeared before Major C. Willson on a charge of reckless driving in Chater

owned by Mr. E. Des Voeux, tween the car and a private rickhs The defendant pleaded guilty and stated that his view was obstructed by the cars parked at the stand

Inspector Alexander appeared for the prosecution and stated that inst as Mr. Des Voeux's ricksha was fendant's car shot out and collided paming along Chater Road, the de with the ricksha throwing the o- cupant out and injuring one of the coolies. Mr. Des Voeux stated that the damage to the ricksha amounted to about 815.00, but the injured

The accused fold the Court how coolie had been unable to return to his work. The case was adjourned the slight dispute gradually assum pending an exact estimate of the ed serious proportions, and he ad- damage and also to see how the in-mitted that he used the knife. He jured cookie was progressing. ⠀⠀ did not mean to hurt the other

fellow seriously. Passed Stationary Tram-car,

For

passing a stationary tram-car at an estimated speed of 30 m.pr.h.. another Chinese chauffeur was fined ran down a European who had just 813.00. It was stated that he nearly. alighted.

A BANISHEE'S MISTAKE.

CAT BURGLAR'S NINE SUITS.

POCKETS FILLED WITH LOOT.

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A Chinese described as a cat- burglar appeared before Major 0. A Chinese returned to the Colony Willson at the Central Magistracy

is Capt vor MULLEN. a stoking concert at 1.30 p.m. injust six weeks before the termino yesterday and was sentenced to six

tion of his banishment. When sr-weeks hard labour, jonka taj rested he pleaded that he had made The defendant appeared in 'Court the Royal Naval Canteen.

a wrong calculation. He was chargclad in the ning suits of clothing ed before, Mr... E. Lindsell yes he was wearing when arrested, terday morning with disobeying According to police evidence stolen the order of expulsion, and his articles were stowed away in the Worship after observing that it was numerous pockets of his outfit. hard luck said that the defendant The defendant was caught in the must do the remaining six weeks net of escaping from premises at in prison,

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Open To British Visitors The two dreadnoughts Fure and Wagate will be open to British visitors to-day, and passes to visit these ships can be obtained from the Japanese Consulate.

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Chater Road.