1929-06-07 — Page 5

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THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1929.

BANK RE-OPENS IN ARMY SECRET DOCUMENT MISLAID!

CANTON.

STABILISING THE NOTE

ISSUE.

NEW, MANAGER'S PLANS.

(FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT, ]

CANTON, June

The Central Bank of China in Canton formally re-opened for business to-day under a new ad- ministration. Practically a the former officials have been replaced. Mr. Chow Min Chu, a prominent; merchant of Hong Kong, and a special friend of General Chen Ming Shu, is now the chief manager of the Bank. He said in an inter- view with local Pressmen that the exchange department of the Bank will be re-opened" sometime during the early "part of July, when the public will be able to change bank notes for silver.

ו

"At present," be continued. there in reserve about $9,000,000 in silver. But this is not enough to re-open the exchange 'department, for the amount of banknotes issued

FURTHER REVELATIONS IN K.O.S.B. TRIAL:

BATTALION COMMANDER'S LENGTHY CROSS-EXAMINATION.

P.R.I.'S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Lieut.-Col. L. J. Comys, commanding the and Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderer's, gave evidence when the General Court Martial hearing charges of negligence against Major Ogilvy while acting as President of the Regimental Institute, were resumed yesterday.

The Court consists of Colonal E. A. Štówart, D.S.O., 0.3.E., (President), Liant,-Col. E. V. Vernon, M.C. (3/15 Punjab Regiment), Major A. Creery, M.C. (Royal Artillery), Major REI. Rennett, M.D. (Somerset Light Infantry) and Major J. B. Taylor (Somerset Light Infantry). The Judge Advocate is Mr. Somerset Fitzroy and the prosecuting officer Major H. W. H. Armitage, M.O. (Royal Artillery). The defending officer is Major E. G. Miles, D. 8.0., M.C. (K.0.8.3.).

NO SAFE FOR CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS.

Lieut. Col. Comyn gave extracts from battalion standing orders it which it was laid down that the duties of the senior major included Assistance in the general super vision of the battalion, charge of the Regimental Institute and con trol, of the management of the sergeant's mess.

As P.R.I., Major Ogilvy operated four accounts. He was responsiblu or the receipt of all monies, the payment of all bills and the pre- paration of a balance sheet, to be

Board.

Witness said he held the P.R.L responsible that the accounts were properly kept, Among the regulat ponies received by the P.R.I. wer the rebates from the N.AA.FI.

ing did you inform accused 1-No

When you discovered it, was miss, The Adjutant took charge. I do not think I saw accused. It would

be a matter between the Adjutant

and accused as a matter of course.

If, as you allege, it was at any time-missing, do you hold accused in any way responsible -Yes, un doubtedly.

I put it in this way. When was missing, did you hold accused responsible 7-Yes.

Then why did you not tell accus

I considered it entirely a matter between the Adjutant and accused until it was handed over to me.

Responsibility Again.

was well over 830,000,000. A per-aid before the quarterly Audited that it was missing -Because tion of this sum was redeemed dür ing the last run on the Bank, 80 that the amount in circulation now is about $19,000,000. In order to put the financial system on a solid basis, it is wise to postpone ex- change facilities another month. Meanwhile the Canton Mint will be eneque payable to the Commanding turning cut 86,000,000 a month in Officer. Witness endorsed it and silver coin.

By the beginning of Passed it on to the P.R.I.

emergency.

he latter came in the form of a

Is the Adjutant or the 0.0. responsible for secret documents 1-- liimately, the C.O. If a docu nient is missing, the C.O. is re- sponsible..

Is the Adjutant ever responsible for 1 secret documen: 1-He is responsible in responsible to his C.O. who 1 tura to the War Office.

When did you discover the exit tence of the War Office letter No. 25/11-When I was asked to turn up the letter in the 1923 file for re- ference about four days ago.

Judge: Then you did not know. it existed-Only as a general con Adential letter i did not know its

contents.

Maj. Miles: You have no proof that this letter had ever been secu y necused Except that copies were distributed to the C.O.'s when accused was in command.

Do you agree that, on the date un which it was issued from G.I.Q, accused was not present with his company f—I can say from records that he was sick in quarters on the day the letter reached the company in 1925,

As F.RI-No

Judge Advocate: You are respon. sible for the whole thing and so is be, under you-The messing officer has charge of messing but I should expect accused to keep an eye upon that duty.

As Senior Major."`

Maj. Miles: Would you hold as cused as P.R. L. responsible for any. defect which should occur in regard to the men's messing or messing account As P.R.I. be was re- sponsible for paying over to the officer in charge of messing the rebate from the N.A.A.F.

That is not an answer, would you Aa Senior Major I would expect him to bring to my notice any delect in the men's messing account. He would be responsible. for paying over the rebates. Το that extent, I would.

In no other way 1-No. You said he had no inancial re- sponsibility ?—I think I did.

I suggest you are not consistent in your evidence: You knew the ac counts were kept in the clerk's handwriting and you had a pretty thorough knowledge as to how they were kept Yes, I knew they were kept in Comporal Hendry's head- writing.

An Answer Demanded." President (to witness): Surely you can answer whether you bad a good knowledge, slight know. ledge, or no knowledge-It de penda.

Judge advocate: You must aa- swer-I have no knowledge.

Maj. Miles: Did you ever object to the way the secounts were kept in the P.R.I.'s office ?—No. *

Were you satisfied with the method of keeping the accounts from the knowledge you had at your disposal?Yes

As the C.O., is the question of extra-duty pay referred to you?- I should expect to be referred to.

You have no record as to what Duties of P.R.I.

duties are entitled to carry extra Would it be unusual for any

pay Nothing is laid down. Each officer other than the second in

case is considered on its merits.

What men in the battalion drew command to perform duties of P.R.I. for any long period If the extra duty pay -Cooks, certain Senior Major was present and notatoremen, billiard markera, cinema otherwise employed.

operators and there may be others. Would you read out Paragraph I could not say off-hand what the 227 of 2nd E.0.5.B. Regimentai Standing Orders:

"The men's messing to be carefully, sapervised by the second-in-command who will

been, judicrously expended."

amounts are.

the next month we shall in reserve

Other regulur payments paid about $13,000,000 in silver, which direct to the P.R.I were rebates which will be ample to meet any subscriptions from companies fo: from the master tailor, swill money, In order to maintain the value the cinema, "Our Comrades Fund" of the banknotes permanently at and the billiard takings from the par, it is essential not to issue benen's recreation rooms at Murray yond a certain limit, unless backed Barracks and Mount Austin. It up by silver. If this procedure is customary for all monies to be found within one or two days of assure that the messing money has gard to extra-duty pay?—I 'expecs:

puid monthly.

followed, we need not fear any more trouble. General Chen Ming Silk Stockings for Boldiers. .Shu and General Chen Tani Tong. and Finance Cothan issidner Fan Ki Mo have concurred with me in the scheme. In fact this was one of the conditions of my acceptance of the offer.

ANOTHER MEASURE.

"But at times the demand for

banknotes is more than can be sup plied, in which case the best thing to do would be to turn a certain amount of the banknotes over to private bank and hold it responsible for the maintenance of the value. Buch a bank will have to deposit adequate security with the Central Bank. It is aimed to make the banknotes the property of the people.

Accused had no funncial reapon sibility ter the measing account. Witness said he required the mess ing otheer to take the book to the P.RL. before it was handed to him. The P.R.L. initialled the book. This was done to ensure that the P.R.I was a courant with the mesling of the battalion.

After you assumed command, when was the first occasion you saw the document-When it was

our arrival. It was only lost for some hours, certainly not for a day or a night.

At the time referred to, it was in your possession and you were re- sponsible for it-Yes.

During 1927 and 1928 did" you assume that accused was cognisant of the contents of this document - of the existence of the pamphlet.

That is not an answer to the witness signed the reconciliation question I asked. I said of the statement certificate without fur-contents"-Of the existence auc ther inquiry.

the general purport of the docu. ment.

Once the P.R.I had seen it.

come The P.RI's duties included the purchase and sale of a certain amount of stock, including hose tops, rackets, badges, titles, per rament paases, regimental historiea and, he thought, silk stockings. The officer responsible for the stock was supposed to keep a record of it. In this case, the accused was responsible as P.R.I.

When

Indefinite Answḥ:8. "Yes" or "no," did you assume he was cogaiasnt of the contents 1-

Eave answered the question.

President-Why can't you say yes or no-Because I do not think I know them myself without leaving out a paragraph or two...

Judge Advocate: That is not the answer to the question.

President: Will you please at- swer that question -My answer is No" I qualify the answer by saying that he knew the general purport of it.

President: That is written on.

Finally, we are contemplating changing the Bank's name. I has been called the Central Bank Witness said the Audit Board of China,' which meant that it was drew his attention to certain things under the direct control of the in 1927 and 1928 but there was Central Government. When the nothing of special importance or of Kwangsi elique was in centroi of an outstanding character. Canton; the name was changed to He considered that anything called the Kwangtung Central Bank of for action on his part he issued China. The Bank is, in fact, the orders accordingly. financial institution of the Provin eial Government of Kwangtung, the Audit Board responsible for Major Armitage: Did you hold operated and controlled by the checking F.R.1. stock?Yes, I con Provincial Government, the Cen-sider the responsibility of the audithe new the contents? tral Government having nothing to Board is implied by a certificate do with it. It should therefore be which I require them to render as called The Provincial Bank of regards the assets. Kwangtung. But such a change Were there regular payments to cannot be brought about for soms be made by the P.R.L1-Yes. little time, for various reasons. There was extra duty pay for cocks, the cinema operator and

“WANTED" IN CANTON.

billiard markers.

Are these men to all intents" and

You are asked if you assumed that the cover. Be more specific, please

Judge: Will you please answer 1

Witness: Yes, but not necessarily verbatim.

Assumptions.

Maj. Miles: On what facts did you base this assumption?-Because he was responsible for it and was considerably excited when it was missing or not forthcoming.

No

There are no instructions at all in existence setting out the duties of the P.R.I. -I can remember none at the moment. I assumed that accused knew his duties. that office now-1 think Major How many clerks are there in Lake has three.

How many were there when accue ed was P.R.1.1-So far as I know, only Corp. Hendry.

Does the P.R.I. draw extra duty pay for the appointment I think not.

You appointed Corpl. Headrs, do you agree that the duties of P.R.I. clerk are important and responsible ?—Yes,

Cooks' pay is not extra-duty pay at all? No, because they are Chinese.

What is the proceedure with r-

the PRL to have a record in his office. In the case of any fresh de parture that occurs, I expect to taken any steps, however, to dia- Le consulted about it. I have not

eover whether the P.R.I. has such a list.

The credit balance of the P.RI. fund increased from December 1994 $13,000-That was 50 according to to September 1928, from 87,000 to the balance sheet, which by the way.

as proved by the Audit Commit

to be false.

for the increase-I don't know Did you investigate the reason

what you mean.

You said income and expenditure did not fluctuate a great deal. Oorpl. Hendry Again.

You saw no reason for this rather When you appointed Hendry, you large increase in the balance eredit? went into his capabilities and I think the infuence was that qualifications very thordughly 1-our income was larger than expen Yes.

diture. I think the increase was subject of constant inquiry.

The Court adjourned until this morning.

tions as to his suitability from any Did you receive any recommpada other officer 1-I did not require duties for a short time under me any as he had performed similar

in the other battalion. I was F.RI. then.

Is that the reason why he, as a corporal, was appointed to relieve aaorgeant I thought it would be a waste if a sergeant was given the appointment when a corporal" was available.

If I said that Lisät. Kelly arid he did not think Corporal Hendry battalion you would be surprised! entirely satisfactory in the other I am not responsible for what Lieut. Kelly thinks. I am prepar- ed, however, to accept Lt. Kelly's opinion 16 regards Hendry's messing duties, but as Corporal P.R.I. Clerk he was perfectly satis

by Inc.

REPORTED DISSENSION IN CANTON,

[NAN CHUNG XUO NEWE SERVITE ]

CANTON, June 6.

General Chen Taai Tong, Com- mander of the Eighth Route Army. against Kwangsi, has not attended is now in the Yu Yuen Sanitorium, office since Tuesday afternoon and reportedly ill.

that General Chen Tsai Tong is at Rumours are widely circulated

Shu, Chairman of the Canton Ad- variance with General Chen Ming ministrative Council.

If I say that accused had no mislaid, do you agree with that factory when properly supervised It may be recalled that when he

Have you any reason to believe"

resumed office, General Chen Ming Are there any written instruc- Shu resolved to abolish the system that he did know it was mislaid - tions as to the duties of F.R.L's of four administrative circuits in No.

clerk-Not that I know of apart Do you know how long accused from keeping the P.P.I. accounts all district authorities should direct

the whole province and insisted that had commanded the battalion - he was is required to act as cleric ly receive orders from the Provin- Probably three weeks but he was

to the metsing officer. In normal dal Government, but General Chen responsible for receiving-

times it should be possible to key Taai Tong did not appear to be in The Judge advocate: Just answer

an eye on both duties. the question and we iball get along

Favour of this project. more rapidly.

In compliance with the request purposes employed by the P.R.1.1-knowledge that the document was of Kwangtung, Marshal Chiang Yes. Kai Shek has sent, a petition to the In reply to further questions Central Government, urging it to witness said the P.R.1. was respon. issue a formal writ for the arrest sible for the functioning of the of Tang Shih Cheng, former Police cinema and the payment of bills in Commissioner and Garrison Com-connection with it. He was also mander of Canton, and Heu King responsible for the supply of papers Tong, the deposed commander of the to the regimental recreation rooms 5th Army. These two men have long and the payment of bills. been closely identified with Li Trai

Question of Responsibility. Hain and the Kwangsi clique and

Major Miles: You took over the are said to be living in Hong Kong." Chiang Kai Shek apparently wishes command of the battalion from to have them extradited from the accused on board the troopship in British Colony, da he maintains October, 1928 1-When did you as

responsibility for socrat they are dangerous reactionaries, sume The Nanking Marshal is also taking documents-Theoretically, when I steps to deprive these two men for took over the command, but I did life of their Kuomintang member not open them up until we actually

ship.

KWANGSI ARMY STILL

RETREATING.

arrived in Hong Kong.

This secret document I have in

Until the day you assumed the responsibility, was accused respon» sible 1-Yes.

Major Miles: The Battalion had been on the move from Cairo to

Hong Kong? Yes.

Have you any reason to believe he had been in command of the battalion prior to the occasion to which you have referred 1---I have

no knowledge of that."

Does the present clerk do that?- Lake has another clerk for messing. At the present time I think Major

Golonel's Responsibilities.. You should know. They appear in regimental orders 1-1 am not certain.

gimental orders-That is a differ- You assume responsibility for re-

FUKIEN TROOPS BEATEN.

(Wah Pez Tat Pao.)

The Fukien troops under General verse in their attack on Hsu King Chang Ching suffered a serious re-}

on the border of Fukien.

"Reinforcements have been sent from Canton both against the Bets and the Kwangsi troops at Swatow.

Tong's troop at Swatow and have I put it to you that you base at thing. my hand, did you assume respon your assumption that he knew of normal duties of the N.0.0. in vince.

Do you agree that one of the retreated back to their native pro- sibility for it when it was handed the contents of the pamphlet be charge of the messing book is to renewed activity of the Red rabble This is largely due to the over to you Yes, in Hong Kong, cause he had commanded the bat-

May I have an answer to my talion while it was on the move 1-attend daily with the sergeant cook under. Chu Tak and Mo Chak Tung question? When was it handed He was responsible for a very to receive supplies outside the over to you? -Very soon after we secret document which he had to PRI's office-it is one of his arrived here.

take over from one C.O. and hand duties. over to another.

Was the accused in any way responsible for the duties perform-e ed by Hendry while the corporal. was working on the meaning ac countNo, Corporal Hendry wah then under the messing, officer.

Was the only duty the accused as P.R.I., kad in relation to the men's mersing other them checking Army Book 48 with the bank book? A report from the West River —No, also in assisting the C.O.states that the San Nam Hoi and in the general supervision of the the Yaet On bave been in collision. Battalion." Messing is important near Kongmoon. and requirei general.

+

That is not an answer? What do you say 1-Not entirely," but he _was_responsible for handing over. the secret documents to me. He

:

Ho Sate Úsod.

-WEST RIVER --BOATS IN

COLLISION.

SAN NAM HOI AND YUET ON,

The main body of the retreating Kwangsi forces have abandoned Tanghsien, according to ✡ -ver- nacular press report, and are no concentrating in front of Bunkai. The pro-Nanking forces are not at present following up the pursuit,

Missing-Documenta, and the main body is still at Wu-

Did you ever ask accused per was a stop gap. chow awaiting the arrival of strong somally to hand it over to you? contingents under Generale Yang No. Tang Fai and Yu Tsok Pak. On

Did you ever inform accused their arrival in the course of a day whether the secret documents on or two a conference will be held to charge of the battalion were correct plan details of the campaign. or not? No. They were correct.

The Centon air force is still Have you any knowledge that keaping in touch with the enemy and a secret document, at any time, The ladest report is that the Hangende baie person other char the Seid you personary perio

accused but the San Nain Moi's stern walter- troops will probably attempt to The secret document produced was rally at Bupchow to the West of not forthcoming immediately and

we searched for it Tanghsien.

Do you agree that secret doen ments on charge of the C.O. ate kept in a safe?—Yes.

You have a sale now!-Yea, but we hadn't one when we first care here. 2.

or his Adjutant, normally, has responsible for the rupervision of access to those secret documents ↑ - "the men's messing -Not entirely Absolutely, No.

as 'second-in-command.

The Yuct On was not damaged

ed slightly in the mishap. She will

be at Sam Shui Po till Sunday when

she will leave for Canton

Che

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